Posted on: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Looking for a reliable forecaster
By David Shapiro
How do you measure the economy when economists can't count? We find out as we "flASHback" on the week's news that amused and confused:
The Council on Revenues was off by another $56 million and the state budget shortfall now stands at $786 million. We could get more reliable economic forecasts from a council of Guy Hagi, Sharie Shima and Justin Cruz.
Two companies dropped out of the bidding for a $230 million contract to supply the rolling stock for the city's rail system. You need at least $300 million these days to make a profit selling roller coasters.
Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle will leave the job to run for mayor when Mufi Hannemann moves on. Now that he's made island peacocks safe from Louisville Sluggers, there are no more challenges in law enforcement.
City attorneys say O'ahu neighborhood boards can't appoint people to vacant seats that had no candidates in the last election. Something about the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is taking heat for trying to force a military construction project on Guam to pay prevailing Hawai'i wages. Our politicians are so proud of the sky-high cost of living they helped give us that they want to export it.
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority held a $27,000 retreat on Maui to figure out how to act more like a business. With junkets like that, they must be copying businesses that got bailouts.
Three 'Aiea hairdressers chased down two men who made off with their van and pulled the thieves out of the vehicle. We should hire these ladies to recover the 36 percent pay raises legislators took.
Former University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang was arrested for throwing a woman's camera on to a roof. It wouldn't be the first time he was penalized for intentional grounding.
A Kaua'i man who allegedly stole from a pawn shop was arrested when he returned to the store to pawn the items. He thought they wouldn't recognize him if he changed his mask.
And the quote of the week ... from Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole on the Big Island council's 22 percent pay raise: "I feel like I deserve every penny." She must be confusing herself with Shane Victorino.
