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A $10 billion figure was often cited as rail’s total cost, but HART tells the feds it thinks it can finish the project for $9 billion.

A board member expressed concern about new oversight rules, but rail managers say those are “not much of an issue.”

Whether you support rail or not, it’s OK to applaud the Legislature for finding the best solution possible to a very sticky political problem.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell thanks lawmakers while the governor promises to work next session for a “fair distribution” to counties of hotel tax money.

A state “vision report” says “Mom and Pop stores would thrive and gentrification would be mitigated.” It just doesn’t say how.

Legislative leaders said efforts by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell to derail the plan actually helped unite them.

The state House passes a bailout plan that includes a hotel tax increase and an extension of the general excise tax surcharge.

The rail funding package passed by the Legislature requires an in-depth audit of the project, closer monitoring of spending and more financial transparency.

UPDATED: The $2.4 billion measure now moves to the full House, where a final vote is expected Friday.

“That’s going to break the back of the industry?” one senator asks opponents of a plan to help bail out the Honolulu rail project.