Labor Day has come to mean many things over the years: the unofficial end of summer, the start of football season, or even just a three-day weekend. Sometimes the real purpose of Labor Day gets lost. So, I wanted to pause on this Labor Day to thank the person this holiday is intended to honor: the American worker.
During this election season, you’ve heard politicians talking a lot about the economy, and for good reason. We know we need to keep working to strengthen our economy. While it’s true that some of the “economic indicators” that people in Washington talk about are looking better, what’s really important at the end of the day is whether people have good jobs so that they can provide for their families.
On Labor Day, and every day, Hawaii’s working families are my priority. I often think of the time I was flying out of Lihue Airport late one night. I met a young man who had just started his night shift at the airport. He got to the airport after leaving his day shift at one of Kauai’s resort hotels. He worked like that, two shifts a day, six days a week, to provide for his family. He’s like so many of the people I talk with every day – hard working, persevering, hopeful for the future.
So on this Labor Day, ‘mahalo’ to everyone in Hawaii, doing their very best at their job, working with pride, working to move Hawaii forward.
I’m honored that my steadfast supporting for our working men and women has been recognized. I’m humbled to announce that many of the great organizations representing workers here in Hawaii have endorsed my reelection to Congress, including the following:
AFL-CIO
American Postal Workers Union
Hawaii Carpenters Union
Hawaii Government Employees Association
Hawaii State Association of Letter Carriers
Hawaii State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Hawaii State Teachers Association
Hawaii Teamsters
Ironworkers Union
International Longshore and Warehouse Union
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Laborers
National Association of Social Workers PAC
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
Seafarers International Union of North America
Sheet Metal Workers
State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers
Unite Here! Local 5
United Public Workers
University of Hawaii Professional Assembly
Our Representative Mazie Hirono has sponsored two bills to bring down health costs for us all:
The first is a bill the Progressive Caucus will soon introduce that would create a robust public option (i.e., physician payment rates set at Medicare plus 5 percent). Essentially, the bill will take the public option language previously passed by the House and introduce it as stand-alone legislation. This is an option so that folks who like their private insurance can keep it.
The other bill you may be interested in is H.R. 4789, the Medicare You Can Buy Into Act. H.R. 4789 would amend part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy into Medicare. Again – this is an option. If you like your current private health insurance, you need not participate.
Aloha! Today I was proud to join President Obama at the White House as he signed a bill I authored to help veterans and their families. Through this new law, the Department of Veterans Affairs will establish an unprecedented permanent program to support the caregivers of severely injured veterans. This means that family members who have taken care of their wounded loved one with little support from VA can now receive training, financial support, and other assistance. I believe that this will help our wounded warriors receive the best care without burdening VA facilities, and help ‘ohana across the nation stay strong together.
This new law also makes significant improvements in services for women veterans, homeless veterans, and veterans in rural areas. Of particular interest to Hawaii veterans of all wars, VA will now be able to reimburse those who require air travel to receive the care they need. For years I have heard from Neighbor Island veterans who pay out of their own pockets to travel to receive needed VA care. With this new law VA can help more of these veterans. For more on my bill, click here:
Rest assured that I will continue to do all that I can for the troops and veterans who have served our country honorably.
For the latest news from my office, please visit my website which is updated daily. And please know that I always appreciate hearing your concerns and comments regarding the issues that face our state and our nation. Please contact me by clicking here.
In our continuing commitment to build a better future for our military veterans and their families, Congress voted unanimously last week in favor of S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act. The bill now awaits the President’s signature.
There are some 118,000 military veterans living in the State of Hawaii. Many of these veterans will soon be eligible for additional medical assistance as the bill:
provides support to family and others who care for disabled, ill, or injured veterans;
enhances health services for the 1.8 million women veterans, including care for their newborns and enhanced treatment for those who are suffering from sexual trauma;
expands mental health services for veterans and health care access for veterans in rural areas, including many veterans in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District; and
relieves veterans who are catastrophically disabled from having to make copayments.
These expanded programs are critical, as more of our veterans of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars require additional medical care. The bill provides vital support for our wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, as about 20 percent of active duty, 15 percent of reserve, and 25 percent of retired and separated members have a family member or friend who has been forced to leave a job to care for the veteran full-time, according to a recent report.
S. 1963 has received support from numerous veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project, and the National Military Family Association.
This legislation builds on the significant measures for veterans, troops, and military families that Congress has passed over the last three years, including the new GI bill, the building of more military child care centers and better military family housing, and historic investments to strengthen quality veterans’ health care.
Today is an important day for all Americans as it is Tax Day.
If you haven’t done so already, I want to encourage you to submit your federal tax returns on time, which means they must be post-marked by midnight, tonight. And, for those of you who have waited until this final day (I’m sure you are not alone), I would also like to encourage you to take one final look to make sure you have taken full advantage of this year’s available tax break opportunities.
The White House has prepared an online tax calculator called the Recovery Act Tax Savings Tool that can be accessed here. It’s intended to help taxpayers determine their potential eligibility for various tax benefits available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). It must be noted that taxpayers who use this tool are still responsible for determining their eligibility under applicable laws for any claimed tax benefits.
More than a year after being signed into law, the Recovery Act continues to provide opportunities for working families, particularly those who are first-time home buyers or making their homes more energy efficient. But, for those who may have missed out on these opportunities this year, a number of these tax breaks will still be available for the 2010 tax period. So, be sure to plan accordingly and take advantage of these tax breaks.
Earlier this week, Citizens for Tax Justice, a public policy organization specializing in federal tax issues, released a report that the Recovery Act I voted for helped reduce federal income taxes for tax year 2009 for 99% of all working families and individuals in Hawaii. To see just how the State of Hawaii benefited from recent tax cuts, please click here.
And, as an FYI, the Recovery Act so far has accounted for more than 3,000 jobs saved or created in Hawaii.
Mahalo,
Mazie K. Hirono
Member of Congress
2nd District of Hawaii
The Congressional Progressive Caucus offers the Progressive Promise for all. We believe in government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Our fairness plan is rooted in our core principles. It also embodies national priorities that are consistent with the values, needs, and hopes of all our people, not just the powerful and the privileged. We pledge our unwavering commitment to these legislative priorities and we will not rest until they become law.
Fighting for Economic Justice and Security in the U.S. and Global Economies
Protecting and Preserving Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Century Club Noon Maui Tropical Plantation. Gladys Baisa, Mike White, Marc Hodges
Sat September 11 2010
Red, White & Blue Picnic CANCELLED Mayor Tavares' 60 day reservation policy plus her insistance on charging nonprofits $250 to use the park caused us to cancel this event
Karen
Sat September 11 2010
Farmers & Consumers Meet with Neil Abercrombie 5:30 at HQ at 1980 Main Street, Wailuku. RSVP by emailing maaevents@hawaii.rr.com
Sat September 18 2010
Primary Important! This primary, there are several races which will be decided in the primary. 3 Dems in Paia County Council, 3 Dems for State House Dist 8, etc.
Sat September 18 2010
Vote Democratic for Mayor Make sure we get a Democratic candidate to advance to the General Election. Vote the Primary.
During this election season, you’ve heard politicians talking a lot about the economy, and for good reason. We know we need to keep working to strengthen our economy. While it’s true that some of the “economic indicators” that people in Washington talk about are looking better, what’s really important at the end of the day is whether people have good jobs so that they can provide for their families. 
I’m honored that my steadfast supporting for our working men and women has been recognized. I’m humbled to announce that many of the great organizations representing workers here in Hawaii have endorsed my reelection to Congress, including the following: 
Tue September 07 2010