Last week the Senate passed its version of the state budget. Sen. Shan Tsutsui (Wailuku, Waihe`e, Kahului, Pa`ia) has detailed the proposed funding for Maui County in a press release that includes comments from the other two Maui County senators, Rosalyn Baker (South and West Maui) and J. Kalani English (East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i).
Sens. Inouye, Hooser, Tsutsui and Baker listened to testimony during a Ways and Means Committee hearing last month.
The Senate has released its version of the state budget for fiscal year 2009. The proposal, contained in House Bill 2500, passed a vote on the Senate floor 22-2 Tuesday morning.
The Ways and Means committee handles all of the financial measures that pass through the Senate and has been working for months to prepare the 353-page proposal. According to committee chair Rosalyn Baker, the Senate’s version of the budget takes a prudent approach and reduces the general fund appropriations requested by Gov. Linda Lingle in December by $32.4 million.
Hawai`i’s economy has suffered from the effects of inflation and high oil prices over the past year, reflected most recently by the closures of ATA and Aloha Airlines.
Baker noted in a floor speech Tuesday that the state also has nearly half-a-billion dollars less in general fund revenues this year than it had last year.
“This budget does not create false impressions and should not give rise to false expectations,” Baker said, adding that her committee had crafted a version that sustains investments in education, transportation and health infrastructure, which she said are vitally important to regaining fiscal growth.
Senators and represenatives will meet over the next few weeks in a conference committee to finalize a budget proposal that they will submit back to the governor before the end of session on May 1.
Demonstrators gathered at the Capitol Friday to rally for Aloha Airlines. Many stood along Beretania Street holding signs that asked passing cars to honk in support.
The carrier, which has serviced Hawai`i for over 60 years, declared bankruptcy on March 20. Jonathan Aoki (left) and Claire Sugawa were among the children participating in the rally. Aoki’s mother, Carolyn, is an Aloha employee.
Officials delivered speeches at the rally pledging their best efforts to help the airline stay in business. Sen. Rosalyn Baker, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, told the crowd that she flies Aloha to and from her district on Maui every week. Though Aloha announced it will halt all of its passenger operations effective today, the Senate is still considering two bills that would help the carrier. HB2860 exempts airlines from paying taxes on fuel sold from a foreign-trade zone for interisland air transportation. The bill passed a vote by the entire Senate this morning and legislators from the House and Senate will now meet in a conference committee to smooth out its details. HB509 would provide state loan guarantees for Hawai`i’s air carriers, and the Ways and Means Committee has scheduled decision making on HB509 for tomorrow.
Sen. Clarence Nishihara and Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland spoke with the rally’s organizer, pilot Randall Cummings, after the event Friday. “Hang in there,” Nishihara told the crowd in his speech. “…hopefully for another 60 years.”
State senators who represent Maui have introduced a bill package this session that incorporates the recommendations of the Maui Health Care Initiative Task Force, which was established by Act 219 and enacted in the 2007 session.
The Task Force was created to address problems brought to attention in 2004 with a Hawai`i Health Information Corporation study, “Maui Bed Needs Study, 2005–2025.” The study detailed the need for additional long term care and acute care beds. The bill package also addresses the community’s expressed desire for additional medical services on Maui and a greater say in the health planning process. (more…)
Maxamina Catian helps a child in the Keiki Steps early education demonstration to build with blocks.
Senators stressed the need for early childhood education this morning with visits to the annual Champions for Children event and a press conference discussing bills related to children and education. Organizations like Child & Family Service, YMCA and Head Start hosted educational booths at the Capitol, and the Keiki Steps program provided an example of a play-and-learn preschool group.
Among the bills introduced this session is Senate Bill 2878, which establishes a similar Keiki First Steps Program to educate children from ages 0 to 5. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Norman Sakamoto (D- Kalihi, Moanalua Gardens, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Pearl Ridge,`Aiea), says that early learning systems will produce long-term benefits for children that include school success, reduced crime, reduced dropout rates and increased workforce productivity.
Sen. Will Espero visits with a representative from the PATCH child care agency at the Champions for Children event.
According to the bill, Hawai`i’s children need support and guidance starting at birth to reach their full potential as citizens. A comprehensive early learning system provides quality opportunities for young children. (more…)
(Left to right) Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Sen. Donna Mercado Kim and Sen. Rosalyn Baker toured the UH campus this month.
Sen. Shan Tsutsui recently organized a group of senators to visit the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and see firsthand the campus’ much-needed improvements. Many UH-related initiatives were introduced this session, and Sen. Tsutsui recognizes with an essay in the Honolulu Advertiser that in order to improve conditions, a balance must be maintained between the UH Board of Regents and the legislature.
Senators got a firsthand look at the repairs needed for UH’s athletic facilities.
By Hawaii State Senator Roz Baker
Rob Perez’s recent series on the Hawai‘i State Legislature’s process for reviewing and awarding grants-in-aid painted an incomplete picture of how the Senate handles requests from community groups. I am afraid that the unfortunate overriding effect of Mr. Perez’s articles will be to erode public confidence in the grants process and the important function it performs in our community.
The Hawai‘i grant-in-aid program is in some ways a victim of its own success. Because it provides critical funding to organizations providing needed community services, the number of applications continues to grow. As the Advertiser series recognized (more…)
By Maui News City Editor Edwin Tanji
WAILUKU – It was an opportunity for their colleagues from other islands to see what the state is accomplishing in Maui County, Sen. J. Kalani English said Wednesday of a three-day site visit of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Continue Reading.
Published in the Maui News on October 11, 2007.
By Hawaii State Senator Rosalyn Baker
In his commentary dated August 2, 2007 (”Public finance: Legislature afflicted by a serious lack of understanding”), Lowell Kalapa acknowledges that, “no doubt,” pedestrian safety measures called for in Senate Bill 1191, including recalibrating stop lights to allow more time for pedestrians to cross the streets and raising awareness about safety measures, are meritorious. Unfortunately, the rest of his commentary contains a number of glaring factual errors and omissions.
By Louise Rockett
LAHAINA – What does it take to create a modern day miracle on Front Street?
The ingredients are relatively straightforward – muscle, sweat, dirt, work and paint. But it’s that healthy dash of malama, Lahaina-
Honolulu Advertiser Editorial
Gov. Linda Lingle appears to be wavering on her inclination to veto the pedestrian safety legislation. (more…)
