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.
Chipper Wichman of the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua`i asked the Legislature for Grant-In-Aid help during Wednesday’s hearing.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee and House Committee on Finance held a joint informational briefing for Neighbor Island Grant-In-Aid (GIA) applicants Wednesday morning. Representatives from 57 neighbor island organizations were invited to attend, and each organization was given three minutes to testify.
“Parents across-the-board continually seek safe places for their children, especially during those after school hours when they are working. We find ourselves competing for the hearts and minds of our children. But it is a fight we cannot afford to lose. A vibrant YMCA on Maui is a powerful and positive magnet to support, mentor and befriend our children,” Maui resident Sandy Canha said on behalf of the Maui Family YMCA. (more…)
Two senators will hold a public meeting on Maui this week to discuss their priorities for the 2008 legislative session. Residents are encouraged to join Sen. J. Kalani English (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i, Kaho`olawe) and Sen. Shan Tsutsui (Wailuku, Waihe`e, Kahului, Pa`ia) at Pa`ia School on Thursday, March 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Read the full press release from the office of Sen. Tsutsui.
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.
Sen. Hooser, Sen. English and Sen. Tsutsui sign Senate Bill 3213.
Last night at 5:10 p.m., Majority Caucus Leader and Ways and Means Committee Vice Chair Shan Tsutsui (4 - Wailuku, Waihe`e, Kahului, Pa`ia, Lower Pa`ia), filed a mass transit accountability bill that was co-introduced by Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser (7 - Kaua`i, Ni`ihau), Transportation and International Affairs Committee Chair J. Kalani English (6 - Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i and Kaho`olawe) and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing Chair Russell Kokubun (2 - Waiakea Uka, Kalapana, Volcano, Kahuku). The bill was co-sponsored by Senate President Colleen Hanabusa.
Senate Bill 3213 requires the city and county of Honolulu to make a decision by June 30, 2008, on the technology of the fixed guideway system for the locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project, or the surcharge to fund the project shall be suspended effective July 1, 2008, for that county; requires the county by December 31, 2008, to award any related contracts for the technology of the fixed guideway system for the locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project, or return any unexpended moneys to the State for deposit into the state highway fund; authorizes expenditures from the fund, as deemed appropriate by the legislature, for transportation projects in the county for which the surcharge was collected.
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The State Senate approved Senate Bill 1 Senate Draft 1 during floor session today. The House Finance and Transportation Committees will be hearing the proposal at 1:30 p.m. in the State Capitol Auditorium.
Senator Taniguchi’s Floor Speech
Senator Hooser’s Floor Remarks
Audio of Senator Hooser’s Floor Speech (17Mb) (MP3 File)
Senator Tsutsui’s Floor Remarks
Senator Gabbard’s Floor Speech
State Senate Passes Compromise Superferry Bill
The state Senate this morning voted 20 to 5 to pass a compromise bill that would allow Hawaii Superferry to resume operations while the state conducts an environmental impact statement. Continue Reading.
Honolulu Advertiser; Monday, October 29, 2007.
By Hawaii State Senator Shan S. Tsutsui
As the population of Maui County has increased, it has become apparent that we continue to experience the pains that come with an expanding community. Many of our new kama‘aina have ideas of how things should be done based on their outside experience, while many long-time kama‘aina remember the traditional approach to doing things.
This difference in views is bound to make for vibrant and sometimes heated discussions. In some cases (more…)
HONOLULU – A bill widely thought to be on Governor Linda Lingle’s potential veto list has been spared and is on its way to becoming law.Governor Lingle did not veto Senate Bill (SB) 1792, which authorizes the establishment of regional system boards under the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC). The Hawaii State Constitution states that any bills that the Governor does not veto or sign by July 10 will automatically become law on July 11.
Senator Shan S. Tsutsui was “very pleased with the outcome of the bill.” In reference to the Governor’s actions not to veto the bill, Senator (more…)
HONOLULU – Senator Shan S. Tsutsui endorsed the idea for the creation of the Patsy Mink North Shore Heritage Park. Following the (more…)
VIEWPOINT by Hawaii State Senator Shan S. Tsutsui
The question of a second hospital on Maui has stirred a great deal of controversy, and while the debate has been contentious at times, I find myself satisfied that the community has committed itself to (more…)
Senator Shan S. Tsutsui (D-Central Maui) will be will be holding a “Talk Story” at the Maui Waena Intermediate School Library on Saturday, March 11, 2006 from 10:00am to 11:30am. All members of the community are welcome to join the Senator to discuss community concerns and current actions pending in the 2006 Legislature.
In a February 17, 2006 Viewpoint article to the Maui News, Ways and Means Vice Chairman, Senator Shan S. Tsutsui expressed his concerns regarding Hawaii Superferry operations as currently planned.
