Long-term care policy tax breaks advance

Gov. Linda Lingle's proposal to provide tax breaks for people who purchase long-term care insurance to provide for themselves or aging relatives remains alive in the state Senate.

The plan was one of two long-term care measures approved yesterday by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The other measure creates a graduated monthly tax on all state workers to fund long-term care.

Lingle's proposal would allow people to claim a tax credit equal to 30 percent of their long-term care insurance premiums. The measure would be phased in, beginning at 10 percent in 2004, 20 percent in 2005 and 30 percent in 2006. The bill faces a vote by the full Senate.

Committee kills bill on counting blank ballots

A Senate committee killed a proposal yesterday to stop counting blank ballots as "no" votes when voters decide whether to ratify a state constitutional amendment or whether to hold a constitutional convention.

The Senate bill proposed a constitutional amendment on next year's general election ballot to clarify that amendments and constitutional conventions are approved if there are more "yes" votes than "no" votes.

Ironically, if the amendment ever makes it on the ballot, blank votes would be counted against it.

Labor nomination goes to full Senate

The Senate Labor Committee voted 4-0 yesterday to recommend Gov. Linda Lingle's nomination of Kathleen Watanabe as director of the state Department of Human Resources. Her nomination now must be approved by the full Senate.

Watanabe said yesterday that resolving "tension" between unions and the government over civil service reforms is one area she will focus on.

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