From an MR reader:
The nation’s most Democratic legislature passed two pro-market bills this session.
1) HB2404 CD 1 represents the largest income tax cut in state history (description and analysis) here).
2) SB 3202 requires counties to allow more accessory dwelling units on residential properties (news article) here).
As someone who works on Hawaii state policy, I think looking at supply-side constraints is a new way of thinking here. People are starting to recognize that the old demand-side approaches don’t work anymore. I expect to see more of this type of legislation in the years to come.
Hawaii has historically been a conservative state, in part because of its large Asian population. Just this year, Congress rejected a bill to legalize marijuana, despite strong pressure from progressives.
It will be interesting to see what happens next.
