FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 02, 2001

Contacts: Sen. Brian Taniguchi, Tel.: [phone] Rep. Dwight Takamine, Tel.: [phone]

FISCAL COMMITTEES ESTABLISH JOINT BRIEFINGS ON BUDGET ISSUES

The appropriations committees of the State Senate and the House of Representatives are attempting to make government more efficient by departing from a decades old practice. On January 3, 4 and 8, the Senate Ways & Means Committee and the House Finance Committee will conduct joint informational briefings to hear key state agencies present the Administration's fiscal plan and budget requests.

This initiative is a significant departure from the past, when each committee would separately conduct identical briefings, requiring organizations and individuals to repeat testimony. The new effort is expected to improve communication among all parties because members of both committees will receive information at the same time.

"The decision to hold several joint budget briefings just made sense,” said Rep. Dwight Takamine, Chair of the House Finance Committee. “If the members react positively, we will definitely consider expanding the process. I understand the testifiers are elated at the joint proceedings.”

Sen. Brian Taniguchi, Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, said the unprecedented meetings are designed to address the people's demand for more efficient government. "The people don't want business-as-usual. These joint budget meetings represent a better way of serving the people. This is just the beginning," Taniguchi said.

Both committee chairs said this is the all-important first step toward building a strong and lasting relationship that will result in better legislation through improved communication.

On January 3, the Committees will be presented with forecasts of three economists, the State Council on Revenues, and the Department of Budget and Finance.

On January 4, the Committees will conduct a special briefing to discuss the funding requirements of the Felix vs. Cayetano consent decree.

On January 8, The Department of Education will present its operating and capital improvement budget request for fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

Planning is already underway for additional joint activities in the future according to the two committee chairs. The 2001 Legislative Session is scheduled to open January 17, 2001.

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