There are always winners and losers in every proposed budget, but some of the guests at this year's budget banquet might be consuming more than makes sense, while others could use more than breadcrumbs.

The Honolulu City Council is slated to vote on a new tax on homes that stand empty, a measure supporters say will force owners to rent the properties and help provide badly needed housing for local residents. But critics say it's unfair to the property owner and will be hard to enforce anyway.

Under pressure from condo owners and boards, the Honolulu City Council may weaken proposed long-delayed legislation to mandate sprinklers in all residential high-rises.

Maui County pro-development candidates running for the county council were boosted by hundreds of thousands of dollars from a new super PAC with ties to the Hawaii carpenters union. All the candidates appear to have won reelection although one race was still too close to call.

The Honolulu Police Commission recently discussed public concerns that holding its meetings behind tight security inside the police department might intimidate citizens who have a beef with a cop from showing up to complain. Commissioners opined people should not be scared and that moving the meeting would be inconvenient for the police chief and staff.

UH is looking to renew a controversial contract to conduct research for the military. Supporters say that means jobs and technology but critics worry about secrecy and fallout. Meanwhile, the Navy is set to resume bombing of an island.

Rep. David Alcos has been fined by the state Ethics Commission for failing to disclose millions of dollars in debt as required by state law. House leaders could pursue further action but say their own conduct committee has never taken a case.

House Speaker Scott Saiki may have lost reelection, but his political ally, Gov. Josh Green, may appoint him to serve as the state's insurance commissioner.

Gun violence in West Oahu has state and city officials demanding more policing.

Longtime Honolulu political cartoonist Will Caron is going to be drawing regularly for Civil Beat, after winning our cartoonist competition. Watch for his art every other Sunday on our site, alternating with John Pritchett's cartoons.