Key Senate and House conferees today concluded negotiations on the state budget bill, agreeing upon and passing a fiscally responsible $12.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2014-15. HB1700 includes funding for core services such as education, health, the University of Hawaii, human services, the environment, public safety, and supporting and caring for the lives of Hawaii's people. The bill now goes to the full Senate and House for a final floor vote.

At the start of the 2014 legislative session, the Senate Ways and Means committee continued to remain cautious about spending given signs of slower economic growth, which would mean hundreds of millions of dollars less than expected over the next two years.

Midway through the session, on March 11, the Council on Revenues reduced its projected general fund tax revenue growth, from 3.3 percent to zero percent in FY2013-2014 and 7.4 percent to 5.5 percent in FY2014-2015. Combining this with the Department of Budget and Finance's estimated reduction of general fund non-tax revenue growth, it's projected that there will be a cumulative total of $491.8 million less in general funds over the current fiscal biennium.

Through prudent money management, and in order to reflect the weak economic forecast, lawmakers reduced Gov. Neil Abercrombie's executive budget request by $173 million in general funds over fiscal biennium 2013-15. The governor's $200 million budget request for FY2015 was significantly cut down to $65.7 million.

Funding for capital improvement projects amounted to just over $5 billion, of which $2.3 billion is funded in general obligation (GO) or reimbursable bonds. This number includes the lapse and reauthorization of $339 million in GO Bonds for the State Educational Facilities Improvement (SEFI) Fund. The budget includes $40 million for grant-in-aid (GIA).

"Although we are in better, yet cautious, economic times than past sessions, this year we were faced with many challenges, including lower revenue projections announced midsession," said Ige. "My colleagues in the Senate and I worked diligently with our counterparts in the House to take this into consideration and balance the state budget through a financially responsible approach."

"This is a budget that we can be proud of because we were able to balance the interest of the community with the availability of funds," he added. "HB1700 emphasizes the Senate's commitment to public school education, the Department of Education and the University of Hawaii. The biggest winners this session are our keiki. We invested money in the weighted student formula, athletics, the Strive-HI program and UH collective bargaining agreements, among others."

"One might have thought that assembling the construction budget in better economic times would be easier than in the immediate past, but this has not been the case," said Sen. Michelle Kidani, vice chair of the WAM Committee. "Despite challenges, we crafted the CIP budget prioritizing two essential goals: continue the progress begun over the last few years in renovating, repairing and maintaining existing state-owned facilities to utilize our current resources and reduce general fund expenditures in the future, and designate funds for projects needed to address future capacity needs and economic growth."

"We funded major projects for the DOE and UH system, the Department of Health, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Department of Transportation," added Kidani. "Working with what we have, I think my colleagues and I did a good job in making smart financial decisions for our state and the people of Hawaii."

Highlights of the budget include:

Education
• $15 million for the weighted student formula, which are funds given to schools based on enrollment and other factors.
• $2 million for school athletics.
• $1.925 million for Strive-HI performance system, which was designed to measure and better understand school performance and progress, and to help tailor rewards, supports and interventions for school improvement.
• $600,000 for the educator evaluation system.
• $579,208 for the professional development management system.
• $256,000 for teacher induction and mentoring program.
• $200,000 for a contract with Teach for America.
• $3 million for early learning through the prekindergarten program.
• $9 million to cover the shortfall in utility costs
• $592,000 in general funds for sabbatical leave for teachers

Charter Schools
• $800,000 for additional funding to mitigate charter school commission costs.
• $134,802 for charter school per-pupil allotment

Public Libraries
• $685,000 for electricity budget shortfall in libraries statewide.
• $200,000 to increase security services at libraries statewide.
• $600,000 to maintain computers and other technological services offered by Hawaii State Public Libraries System to patrons.

Health
• $5 million for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.
• $2 million for the Hilo Medical Center primary care residency program.
• $750,000 for Hawaii Health Information Exchange for operational and technical support.

University of Hawaii
• 89 positions and $4 million for the University of Hawaii West Oahu campus.
• $1 million for community college outcome based funding.
• $19.5 million in general funds for UHPA employees' salary increases.
• Increase of the special fund ceiling by nearly $46 million to support UH-Manoa campus operations and programs.
• 50 positions to support UH community colleges operations.

Agriculture
• 4 positions and $96,309 for the pesticides branch.

Human Services
• $5.5 million for foster care payment rate increase.
• $200,000 for Hawaii Health Information Exchange for Medicaid services.
• $500,000 for the REACH program.

Environment
• $577,000 for operating expenses for conservation and resources enforcement officers.
• 12 temporary positions and $800,000 for community fisheries enforcement units.
• $100,000 in general funds and $3.9 million in special funds for the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation 2016 Congress.

Public Safety
• 10 positions and $259,930 for hospital and suicide watch posts.
• 6 positions and $155,958 for hospital and suicide watch posts.
• 20 positions and $786,718 for mental health treatment at correctional facilities.

CIPs

HB1700 provides nearly $900 million to fund projects that continue the progress begun over the last few years in renovating, repairing and maintaining existing state-owned facilities to utilize our current resources and reduce general fund expenditures in the future. Including:

• $700 million for the Department of Education and $90 million for the UH system
• Remainder allocated to hundreds of other projects, mainly in the Department of Health, DLNR and DAGS.
• Major funding in the amount of $1.9 billion is provided to the Department of Transportation for highways, harbors and airports, including an additional $280 million for the new Mauka concourse at Honolulu International Airport.

HB1700 addresses future capacity needs and economic growth. Including:

• Funding for the much anticipated UH Hilo College of Pharmacy in the amount of $33 million.
• Allied Health and Administration Building for the growing UH West Oahu campus at Kapolei in the amount of $28 million.
• Following last year's major investment in technology infrastructure, the budget this year includes an investment of $100 million in state and matching federal funds for Kolea, the new eligibility system for public assistance programs.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

SENATE AND HOUSE CONFEREES OPEN NEGOTIATIONS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET BILL

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means and House Committee on Finance today convened its first conference committee to negotiate the supplemental state budget. Ways and Means Chairman David Ige issued the following statement:

"Like last session, we wanted to take prompt action to allow ample time during conference to work with the House Finance Committee and ensure that we end this session with a balanced budget," said Ige. "Last session we made the decisive, thoughtful, and fiscally responsible decisions needed to cut $254 million from the administration's requested expenditures. At the beginning of this session, my counterpart in the House and I predicted the downgrade in revenue projections, which were confirmed by the Council on Revenues, and proactively prepared for this forecast by taking a conservative and responsible approach toward this supplemental budget."

Budget conference committee will resume on Thursday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. in room 309 of the Hawaii State Capitol.

Friday, February 28, 2014

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS PASSES FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE STATE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET BILL FOLLOWING CHANGES IN ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Following lower tax revenue projections, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means today passed a fiscally responsible HB1700 HD1 SD1, the supplemental appropriations act of 2014, which includes less spending while continuing to support education, health, human services, the environment and public safety. The bill adjusts appropriations for the operating and capital improvement budgets of the Executive Branch for Fiscal Biennium 2013-2015.

Compared to the Governor Neil Abercrombie's budget proposal, for FY2013-2014, the Senate's version of the bill reduces all funds by $46.1 million, inclusive of a general fund reduction of $45.8 million. For FY2014-2015, the bill reduces all funds by $167.9 million, inclusive of a general fund reduction of $158.7 million.

"As we did last year, the Senate displayed fiscal restraint. Given weak revenue projections, we made smart policy decisions by taking a conservative and responsible approach to the supplemental budget," said Sen. David Ige, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

On March 11, 2014, the Council on Revenues reduced its projected general fund tax revenue growth, from 3.3 percent to zero percent in FY2013-2014 and 7.4 percent to 5.5 percent in FY2014-2015. Combining this with the Department of Budget and Finance's estimated reduction of general fund non-tax revenue growth, it's projected that there will be a cumulative total of $491.8 million less in general funds over the current fiscal biennium.

The bill does not include funding for certain administration requests that are intended to be funded under other appropriation measures, including joint majority package bills. Sen. Ige said that these reductions should not be counted as actual "savings." The reductions include $33.5 million for the UHPA salaries, $1.0 million for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and $4.9 million for Kupuna Care and other senior citizen programs.

"We wanted to take prompt action to ensure that there would be enough time in conference and continue discussions with our counterparts in the House," added Ige.

HIGHLIGHTS
The following are major general fund appropriations included in the Senate version of the bill:

Department of Education
• $15.0 million for the weighted student formula;
• $2.0 million for the Strive HI school performance improvement system;
• $2.0 million for student athletics.

Office of Early Learning
• $5.7 million for early learning pilot projects, including the pre-kindergarten and family child interactive learning projects.

Department of Human Services
• $3.0 million for Preschool Open Doors;
• $1.5 million for Housing First; and
• $5.5 million (plus $2.9 million in federal funds) to adjust to the monthly foster families board rates.

Department of Health
• $3.2 million for home and community based services waiver for the developmentally disabled; and
• $1.2 million for early intervention services contracts for infants and toddlers.

Hawaii Health Systems Corporation
• $4.5 million to replace lost federal funds.

Department of Land and Natural Resources
• $1.5 million for the Conservation and Resource Enforcement Unit.
• $2.5 million (plus $1.0 million in special funds) for the watershed program;
• $100,000 (plus $3.9 million in special funds) for the bid to host the International Union for Conservation Congress in 2016

Department of Public Safety
• $2.0 million in program costs, which may be used at the discretion of the Department for such programs as the justice reinvestment initiative;
• $786,718 for mental health care positions; and
• $519,860 for suicide/hospital watch positions.

University of Hawaii
• $5 million and 89 positions for the University of Hawaii, West Oahu;
• Adding $47 Million and $9.2 Million in revolving fund for various programs for UH Manoa;
• $9.3 Million in special funds for various programs for the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine;
• $2.0 Million for various programs at UH Hilo; and
• Adding 50 positions for community colleges

The following are Capital Improvement Project (CIP) highlights:

Department of Education: $638 million

University of Hawaii: $625 million for College of Pharmacy, restore health and safety funding, provide repair and maintenance funding

Department of Transportation
• Reduced funding in all areas for new project, plus additional appropriations to existing projects
• Revenue bonds reduced by $430 million from executive request
• Federal funds reduced by $220 million from executive request

Friday, February 28, 2014

SENATORS STRIKE A BALANCE TO MOVE MINIMUM-WAGE BILL FORWARD

Ways and Means Committee Approves SB2609

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means today advanced an amended version of Senate Bill 2609, a measure that would incrementally increase Hawaii's minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 by 2017.

The changes to the measure reflect the committees desire to strike a balance between concerns from advocates on both sides of the issue to ensure lawmakers craft a responsible bill that boosts the minimum wage while not hampering small entrepreneurs.

"Since last session, I have been in support of a minimum wage increase and have been working toward an accord. We're at the midpoint of the legislative session and there are several moving vehicles and ideas for lawmakers to consider," said Sen. David Ige, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. "I'm committed to ironing out the differences in opinion on this very important policy issue and am hopeful that we can strike a balance between all stakeholders so that we can come to an agreement by the end of the session."

Senator David Ige, with prior concurrence from Sen. Clayton Hee, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, recommended the following amendments to the measure:

• Delete the provision for authorizing the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adjust the minimum hourly wage to the nearest 5 cents based on the Honolulu region consumer price index
• Delete the repeal of the tip credit
• Add a blank amount tip credit

These amendments will allow lawmakers to further the discussion, consider new proposals such as a "poverty threshold" to help protect low-income workers, and work out specifics on the amount of the tip credit.

All but one committee member voted to pass SB2609 out of committee. While discussing the recommended changes to the bill, colleagues acknowledged Ige for his work to "strike a balance" and thanked all advocates in the hearing room for their patience and participation in the legislative process.

The measure will now go to the Senate floor for third reading where, if approved, will then move to the House for consideration. Senators are expected to take this bill up during a full floor session on Tuesday, March 4.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

HAWAII SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Senate Committee on Ways and Means advance measures before the First Decking deadline on Friday, Feb. 28.
(Photo Courtesy of Hawaii Senate Communications Office)

The Hawaii Senate Committee on Ways and Means today favorably passed Senate Bill 2598, a bill that would establish the Hawaii Commission on African American History and Culture.

African Americans first arrived in Hawaii in the 18th century and have since positively influenced the development and culture of Hawaii. However, their contributions are neither well known nor preserved. By establishing the Hawaii Commission on African American History and Culture, the people of Hawaii gain a fuller understanding of the cultural exchanges between the state and African Americans.

"Establishing the Hawaii Commission on African American History and Culture will allow us to honor the significance and impact of the African American experience in the state and promote awareness for Hawaii's diverse multicultural society," said Espero. "As Black History Month comes to a close, I am pleased that the Senate Committee on Ways and Means recognizes the significant contributions of African Americans in the state and the need to educate our citizens and visitors about them."

The bill will go to the Senate floor for third reading and is expected to cross over to the House for consideration.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

SENATE ADVANCES BILLS INVESTING IN EDUCATION

The Hawaii State Senate's Committee on Ways and Means (WAM) today advanced bills that support Hawaii's keiki through a variety of education initiatives. If passed, the measures would restore funds to support school athletic programs, improve the learning environment for students and invest in Hawaii charter schools.

"Hawaii's keiki are our greatest resource and it's important that we give them every advantage for a better future," said Senator David Ige, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. "To do that, we need to invest in every aspect of their education from academics to athletics to their learning environment."

These measures will go to the Senate floor for third reading and if approved will move to the House for consideration.

The education measures passed today include:

SB2424 SD1: RELATING TO AIR CONDITIONING
Requires the department of education and department of accounting and general services, in consultation with the Hawaii state energy office of the department of business, economic development, and tourism and the Hawaii natural energy institute of the University of Hawaii, to develop a cooling master strategy and comprehensive study for the public schools and to report findings to the 2015 regular session of the legislature. Appropriates funds.

SB3083 SD1: RELATING TO SCHOOL ATHLETICS.
Appropriates general funds for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the school athletics program of the department of education. Authorizes additional coaching and assistant coaching positions for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the school athletics program.

SB2516 RELATING TO FACILITIES FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS
Appropriates funds for the state public charter school commission to allocate to charter schools for facilities projects based, in part, on the need and performance of the charter schools. Requires annual reporting to the legislature.

SB2517 RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS
Authorizes the state public charter school commission to request the issuance of general obligation bonds from the director of finance and to allocate the proceeds for the design, planning, construction, repair, and maintenance of public charter school facilities. Creates a working group to determine criteria for and to prioritize the allocation of general obligation bond proceeds to the public charters schools. Specifies that public charter school facilities funded through the proceeds of general obligation bonds are owned by the State. Requires the state public charter school commission to report annually to the legislature. Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the state public charter school commission. Repeals on June 30, 2024.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to PSM that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

• The Legislature generated many accomplishments and improvements to laws promoting the health and safety of the people of Hawaii. In order to provide a comprehensive program to protect Hawaii's residents, infrastructure, and government, SB680, SD1, HD1, CD1, establishes a state homeland security office within the Department of Defense and authorizes the establishment of county organizations for homeland security.

• Veterans from Hawaii served valiantly during recent conflicts in the Middle East and beyond. Their selfless contributions and sacrifices deserve to be recognized and honored. SB551, SD2, HD1, CD1, establishes a memorial to honor veterans of the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Noble Eagle, the Global War on Terrorism, and Homeland Defense, and those who have protected our borders by land, sea, and air.

The State Budget bill, HB200, HD1, SD1, CD1 included:

• Providing $1,046,338 in fiscal year 2013-2014 and $945,751 in fiscal year 2014-2015 for updated cameras, phone systems, and food services for the Department of Public Safety;

• Transferring $1,060,720 in fiscal year 2013-2014 and $1,276,060 in fiscal year 2014-2015 for efforts to transition inmates from out-of-state back to Hawaii; and

• Transferring $3,277,104 in fiscal year 2013-2014 and $5,982,183 in fiscal year 2014-2015 to reopen the Kulani Correctional Facility.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Technology and the Arts

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Technology and the Arts that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

• The Legislature took action to protect electronic records by establishing the State Archives Preservation and Long-Term Access Special Fund through SB997, SD2, HD2, CD1. Under this measure, each document filed or registered by the public with a governmental entity will be assessed a state archives preservation fee of $1, to be deposited into the Special Fund, which will be used to preserve and maintain accessibility to public electronic records.

• With rapid technological advances, identity theft is an increasingly common occurrence, and the State takes its responsibilities to protect residents' personal information very seriously. SB1003, SD2, HD1, CD1, authorizes security audits to support state cyber security activities. This measure authorizes the Chief Information Officer to take necessary measures to protect government databases and data communications from intrusions and theft.

• In December 2012, Hawaii mourned the loss of a great statesman, Senator Daniel Inouye. Senator Inouye became Hawaii's first U.S. Representative after Hawaii gained statehood in 1959. He is the second longest serving U.S. Senator, the highest ranking Asian American politician in U.S. history, and a Medal of Honor recipient. Hawaii lost another great politician and humanitarian in 2002, Representative Patsy Mink. Representative Mink served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1965-1976 and again from 1990-2002. She was the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. SB614, SD1, HD2, CD1, provides $250,000 in fiscal year 2013-2014 for public works of art to honor the memories of Senator Inouye and Representative Mink, celebrate their accomplishments, and inspire future generations.

• The contributions, values, and culture of Japanese-Americans during World War II are another important part of Hawaii's history. HB1396, HD1, SD2, CD1, appropriates $150,000 in fiscal year 2013-2014 to support the design and planning of the Nisei Veterans Center in Pearl Harbor, which will preserve and share the legacy of the Japanese-American experience during World War II. Once constructed, the Nisei Veterans Center will recognize the contributions of this generation and educate the public about the sacrifices made by Americans of Japanese ancestry who courageously served in the Armed Forces.

The State Budget bill, HB200, HD1, SD1, CD1 included:

• Adding $25,000,000 in interdepartmental transfer funds for consolidation of departmental technology procurement.

• Adding (15) positions and $18,811,090 in FY14 and $14,358,110 in FY15 in general funds for Office of Information Management Technology programs relating to infrastructure, shared services, security and privacy, mission applications and open government, and governance.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

The transient accommodations tax is a key component to ensuring that the State's general fund financial plan remains balanced beyond the fiscal biennium 2013-2015. The transient accommodations tax also provides a vital source of funds to support and develop visitor programs and incentives so that Hawaii remains competitive in the global tourism market. This measure will provide the tourist industry with the necessary funds to improve old programs and develop new programs while providing a healthy revenue stream to the general fund and to the counties. For these reasons, the Legislature passed SB1194, SD2, HD1, CD1, which, among other things:

• Makes permanent the 9.25 percent tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived from furnishing transient accommodations, which will help ensure a balanced general fund beyond the fiscal biennium 2013-2015;

• Makes permanent allocations of funds, rather than percentages, of tax revenue to the convention center enterprise special fund ($33,000,000), tourism special fund ($82,000,000), and the counties ($93,000,000);

• Removes allocations to the state parks special fund and the special land and development fund and instead allocates $3,000,000 of the excess revenues deposited into the general fund for natural resources important to the visitor industry, facilities, and public lands connected with enhancing the visitor experience; and

• Allocates $1,000,000 from the tourism special fund for the operation of a Hawaiian center and the Museum of Hawaiian Music and Dance at the Hawaii Convention Center.

• In 1978, The Hawaii State Constitution was amended to recognize the Hawaiian language as one of two official languages of the State. Despite this recognition, however, the Hawaiian language was considered to be nearly extinct by the 1980s. Since this time, the State has launched several initiatives, such as Hawaiian language immersion programs, to increase the use of the Hawaiian language. In addition, the month of February was recognized by gubernatorial proclamations as "Hawaiian Language Month" in Hawaii in 1994 and 1995. SB409, SD1 (Act 28), codifies the month of February as "‘Olelo Hawaii Month" to celebrate and encourage the use of Hawaiian language. This measure is historic in that it is the first Act that will be codified in Hawaiian and English.

Like the Hawaiian language, kalo, the Hawaiian word for taro, is culturally and historically significant to the people of Hawaii. Recognizing its cultural and historical value, the Legislature designated kalo as the state plant in 2008. To bring more awareness to this historical commodity, which is also a staple food in present-day Hawaii, the Legislature passed HB1089, HD1 (Act 7), designating the month of October as "Kalo Appreciation Month" to celebrate the strong kalo tradition in Hawaii and the cultural connection of native Hawaiians to kalo.

The Legislature passed HB222, HD2, SD2, CD1, which appropriates funds for the biennial budget of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Included in these appropriations were:

• $400,000 in general funds and $400,000 in trust funds in FY14 for health improvement programs.

• $250,000 in general funds and $250,000 in trust funds for the production and distribution of Oiwi TV so long as funds are matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and

• $134,430 in general funds and $134,430 in trust funds for educational enrichment programs for Native Hawaiian children in grades K through 12 throughout the State.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Transportation and International Affairs

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Transportation and International Affairs that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

• Distracted driving is a problem of national concern. The use of cellular phones or other mobile electronic devices while driving constitutes a distraction and poses a risk of harm to the driver and others in the vehicle or on the road. HB980, HD2, SD2, prohibits the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a vehicle, with certain exceptions. This legislation prohibiting the use of cellular phones and other mobile electronic devices will make Hawaii eligible for federal funding under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) (P.L. 112 141).

• Seat belt restraints for all occupants increases the safety of all motor vehicle occupants by as much as forty-five percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seat belts are one of the most effective safety features and have saved the lives of thousands of motor vehicle occupants. Accordingly, all motor vehicle occupants should be restrained by a seat belt or child passenger restraint while riding in a motor vehicle being operated on any public roadway. SB4, HD2, prohibits any person from operating a motor vehicle upon any public highway unless the person is restrained by a seat belt assembly and all passengers in the front or back seat of the motor vehicle are restrained by a seat belt assembly. This measure does not amend current law on child passenger restraints.

The State Budget bill, HB200, HD1, SD1, CD1 included:

• Providing funds for debt service payments from the airports, harbors, and highways special funds and provided $87,000,000 in special funds in FY15 for various special repair and maintenance projects across the State's airports, harbors, and roadways; and

• Providing thirty-two janitorial positions and $755,153 in FY14 and $1,510,306 in FY15 in special funds to help maintain Honolulu International Airport.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Water and Land

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Water and Land that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

• HB1424, SD2, CD1, requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, to engage in efforts to acquire the parcel of land located at Lipoa Point, Maui. Lipoa Point-Honolua is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hawaii. Honolua is rich in marine resources and historical and archaeological sites, and is one of the most popular recreational areas for locals and tourists alike, offering some of the best snorkeling and surfing conditions on the island of Maui. Nationally recognized as a marine preserve, it has attracted federal funding and programs due to having some of the highest fish assemblage characteristics of all the Hawaiian islands. Additionally, Honolua is considered to have one of the most diverse, unique, and abundant reef formations, providing a habitat for rare coral species.

• HB1133, SD2 (Act 38), repeals the Public Land Development Corporation (PLDC) and makes conforming amendments thereto. The PLDC, created by Session Laws of Hawaii 2011 (Act 55), engendered significant public concern and scrutiny due in part to the fact that projects undertaken pursuant to Act 55, are exempt from state and county laws regarding land use, zoning, and construction standards for subdivisions, development, and improvement of land. In addition, concerns were raised regarding inadequate notice given to the public to testify on the exemption provisions. The exemptions, coupled with the manner in which Act 55 was passed, led to distrust and uncertainty of the PLDC's intentions and development plans.

The State Budget bill, HB200, HD1, SD1, CD1 included:

• Adding $750,000 in general funds for Hawaii Invasive Species Council competitive grants in Forestry Division.

• Adding $229,932 in general funds for (6) temporary positions for algae removal in Kaneohe Bay.

• Adding (24) temporary positions and $3,500,000 in general funds in FY14 for 'Rain Follows the Forest' Watershed Initiative.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Ways and Means

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Ways and Means that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

• The use of the emergency and budget reserve fund and hurricane relief fund allowed the State to avoid undertaking even greater spending reductions and revenue enhancement measures during the economic downturn. The Legislature believes that recapitalizing the fiscal reserves for the State is essential to safeguard the future economic well-being of the State, SB1094, SD1, HD1, CD1 appropriates $50,000,000 in general funds to accelerate recapitalization of the emergency and budget reserve fund and SB1092 appropriates $50,000,000 in general funds for recapitalization of the hurricane relief fund .

• SB1196, SD1, HD1, CD1 makes receipt and record keeping requirements applicable to all taxpayers who conduct business transactions, other than causal sales, under the general excise tax law, instead of to only those who conduct more than ten taxable business transactions per day.

• HB430, HD1, SD1, CD1 exempts charitable contribution deductions from the itemized income tax deduction limitations, applicable to higher income taxpayers, established until January 1, 2016, pursuant to Act 97, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Judiciary

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Judiciary that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

JUDICIARY HIGHLIGHTS
CRIME

• HB 587 strengthens the protection of a family or household member from abuse. When a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a family or household member is in danger of probable further physical abuse or harm from a person, HB 587 requires the person to stay away from the family or household member for 48, instead of 24, hours. HB 587 also adds a person in a dating relationship as a "family or household member" protected under the law.

• SB 68 requires the court to sentence a defendant convicted of a class B felony relating to drugs and intoxicating compounds to imprisonment of between five and 10 years. The bill also requires the court to sentence a defendant convicted of a class C felony relating to drugs and intoxicating compounds to imprisonment of between one and five years.

• Under SB 2, when a simulated firearm is used in terroristic threatening, the act is included in the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree. When a simulated firearm is used to steal a motor vehicle, the act is included in the offense of robbery in the first degree.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

• SB 31 and HB 1147 strengthen the campaign finance laws applicable to noncandidate committees making independent expenditures, which are known as "super-PACs". Because of the United States Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, campaign contribution limits are generally inapplicable to super PACs. Citizen's United, however, does not restrict the disclosure requirements that may be imposed on super PACs. Consequently, SB 31 and HB 1147 include provisions requiring noncandidate committees to disclose the candidate who they support or oppose, disclose their top contributors, expand the information in reports filed with the Campaign Sending Commission, and certify that no expenditures were made in coordination with a candidate.

ETHICS

• To promote transparency, HB 1132 requires a legislator to file a financial interest disclosure statement with the State Ethics Commission between January 1 and January 31 of each year, dates which bracket the convening of the annual legislative session on the third Wednesday in January. The intent is to require a legislator to disclose the legislator's financial interest at the beginning of the session so that the public may earlier and readily discern the legislator's potential conflicts of interest. Before HB 1132, a legislator had until May 31, a date well after adjournment of the session, to file the financial interest disclosure statement.

BUDGET APPROPRIATION

• HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, appropriates $850,000 in both fiscal years for the "Career Criminal Prosecution Program" and "Victim Witness Program".

• HB 197, the Judiciary Budget Bill, appropriates $95,652 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $186,804 in fiscal year 2014-15 in general funds for neighbor island children justice centers. HB197 also appropriates $643,406 in general funds in both fiscal years for recidivism reduction contracts.

Monday, July 1, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Labor

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Labor that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

LABOR HIGHLIGHTS
The Legislature has fulfilled a commitment to start paying the unfunded liability for public employees' health benefits ($14.288 billion as of July 1, 2012), technically known as "other post-employment benefits" or "OPEB". The Legislature has passed HB 546, which sets a schedule for gradually amortizing the OPEB liability beginning with $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $117,400,000 in fiscal year 2014-15.

As important, HB 546 also establishes a task force to study and make recommendations on limiting benefit cost increases in order to moderate health insurance costs on future taxpayers and public employees.

The dual strategy of paying down the OPEB liability and controlling future costs should have positive impacts. It should be beneficial for the State's bond rating, keeping the cost of borrowing to fund infrastructure construction low. More importantly, the dual strategy should prevent the accumulation of an increasingly burdensome debt that consumes an increasingly greater portion of the state budget. Allowing this to happen would be detrimental to other worthwhile public services needed by future generations.

Friday, June 28, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Human Services

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Human Services that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

HUMAN SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS
The Legislature again has made kupuna services a priority. SB 106 appropriates the following for fiscal year 2013-14:

(1) $70,000 for an Alzheimer's disease coordinator;

(2) $3,600,000 for the "Kupuna Care Program";

(3) $300,000 for the "Healthy Aging Partnership Program";

(4) $30,000 for the mobility management task force.

• In HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, the Legislature also appropriates $1,400,000 in general funds in both fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15 for aging and disability resource centers in the counties. HB 200 also includes an appropriation of $380,000 in general funds in fiscal year 2013-14 for a feasibility study on long-term care insurance.

• To protect elders, SB 102 requires financial institutions to report instances of suspected financial abuse directly to the Police Department in addition to the Department of Human Services. Upon receiving notification, the bill requires the Police Department to proceed with a criminal investigation.

• HB 120 requires the Department of Health to post on its website inspection reports for state-licensed care facilities. The posting requirement is to commence with reports of inspections occurring from January 1, 2015. HB 120 is intended to promote consumer protection and not punishment of care facilities.

• Young adults transitioning from foster care to independent adulthood are provided assistance under SB 1340. The bill establishes the "Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Program" under which eligible youth are provided continued foster care until 21 years old. SB 1340 recognizes that reaching 18 years of age, the end of regular foster care eligibility, does not automatically mean that the youth is ready to live independently. HB 200 appropriates $1,088,790 in general funds and $971,420 in federal funds in fiscal year 2014-15 for the program.

Substantial funds are dedicated to addressing the homeless problem and its underlying causes. SB 515 appropriates in fiscal year 2013-14 the following:

(1) $300,000 for substance abuse and mental health support services for homeless individuals;

(2) $200,000 for clean and sober housing support services;

(3) $1,000,000 for a "Shallow Subsidy Program" that provides rent subsidies for working families with low-incomes;

(4) $750,000 for the "Housing First Program" for chronically homeless individuals;

(5) $150,000 for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing programs;

(6) $400,000 as matching funds for the federal "Shelter Plus Care Program";

(7) $100,000 for the "Return-To-Home Program" under which homeless individuals from out-of-state are reunited with their families in their home states; and

(8) $100,000 for innovative temporary housing solution demonstration projects.

• HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, also appropriates $200,000 in fiscal year 2013-15 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 in general funds for homeless shelter repair and maintenance and $75,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 in general funds for the "Housing First Program".

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Higher Education

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Higher Education that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

HIGHER EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
• For better management of the University of Hawaii, HB 114 makes two systemic changes. One designates the State Procurement Office Administrator, instead of University President, as the "chief procurement officer" for University construction projects and professional services. The other change establishes an independent audit committee within the Board of Regents. Among other things, the committee is required to engage in enterprise risk management, review the University's antifraud programs and controls, and review complaint procedures and treatment regarding accounting, auditing, and suspected fraud.

• SB 563 reconstitutes the Candidate Advisory Council which selects and recommends persons for appointment to the University Board of Regents. The bill clarifies the selection, appointment, and confirmation process to better ensure that qualified persons serve on the Board.

• SB 606 appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2013-14 for student employee pay at each University campus.

HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, includes the following general fund appropriations:

(1) $560,000 in both fiscal years for the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the John A. Burns School of Medicine;

(2) $1,500,000 in both fiscal years for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives;

(3) $100,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $200,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 for the "Statewide Longitudinal Data System";

(4) $3,000,000 in both fiscal years for the West Oahu Campus;

(5) $400,000 in both fiscal years for the "Ulu'ulu: The Henry Ku'ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive" at the West Oahu Campus;

(6) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 for the community colleges; and

(7) $2,086,371 in both fiscal years for the Academy for Creative Media.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Health

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Health that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS
The Legislature has established and appropriated funds for a variety of public health programs.

• HB 417 appropriates $1,800,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 for an "Interdisciplinary Primary Care Provider Training Program" at the Hilo Medical Center. The program is intended to train more primary care providers for practice in rural areas of the State.

• HB 908 formally establishes the "Hawaii Home Visiting Program". Under the program, newborns at risk of poor health outcomes are identified at birth in the hospital, and their parents and families are provided services at home to mitigate the risk factors and promote a healthy childhood. HB 908 appropriates $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2012-13 in special funds for the program. HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, appropriates another $3,000,000 in special funds in both fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15 for the program.

• HB 619 is intended to resolve the problem of odor and filth resulting from the feeding of feral birds. The bill designates such odor and filth as a nuisance and authorizes the Director of Health to order the nuisance to be abated or prevented.

HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, appropriates the following:

(1) $73,920 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $147,840 in fiscal year 2014-14 in general funds for increased vector surveillance at ports of entry; and

(2) $223,771 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $480,804 in fiscal year 2014-15 in special funds for food sanitation services.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Energy

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Energy that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

ENERGY HIGHLIGHTS
• The "Hawaii Green Infrastructure Loan Program" is established under SB 1087. The program is intended to increase renewable energy usage in Hawaii by making available low-cost financing for renewable energy facilities and equipment. A major objective is to establish "on-bill financing" for homeowners who do not have the cash or cannot qualify for conventional loans to install renewable energy systems in their homes. Basically, the State will issue loans to those homeowners for installation of the systems, and loan repayments will be collected along with payments of their monthly electricity bills. The saving in electricity costs is expected to generate enough revenues to repay the loans.

• Although renewable energy attracts most attention and discussion, the Legislature recognizes the reality that Hawaii is still very dependent on petroleum products. HB 800 appropriates $145,000 in fiscal year 2012-13 for the Hawaii refinery task force, which is to analyze the oil refining capacity in Hawaii and make recommendations to ameliorate the problems resulting from the possible closure of the Tesoro refinery. HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, appropriates $355,000 in special funds in fiscal year 2013-14 to continue the efforts of the task force.

• SB 19 reduces the regulatory restrictions on a landlord or lessor who installs a renewable energy system and sells electricity generated from the system to tenants or lessees.

• HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, appropriates $10,468,000 in federal funds for the Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies grant.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Education

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Education that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
• The primary educational policy, the Legislature on which has focused is early childhood education. Research indicates that early childhood education has a significant positive cost-benefit for participating children. SB 1084 proposes a constitutional amendment to permit public funds to be spent on early childhood education programs provided by private schools. If approved by the voters in November 2014, the State will then be able to use public funds to subsidize privately-provided education programs for pre-kindergarten age children. During the period until the voters make a decision on the constitutional amendment, the Legislature under SB 1093 has chosen to expand the preschool open doors program presently provided by the Department of Human Services. To implement the expansion, the Legislature has appropriated $6,000,000 to enable more four-year old children to participate in fiscal year 2014-15.

• The need for improved school facilities and alternative funding sources for the facilities is the subject of SB 237. The bill establishes a pilot project within the Department of Education that authorizes the leasing and development of public school lands to generate revenues for school facility improvements to 21st century standards. It is emphasized that SB 237 does not exempt any development under the pilot project from planning and zoning standards.

HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, includes the following major appropriations for education programs:

(1) $8,219,659 in fiscal year 2013-14 for a pilot project to provide common core instructional material through electronic devices. The Pearl City High School complex is to be included in the pilot project;

(2) $12,857,918 in fiscal year 2013-14 of additional funds for the weighted student formula to be expended at the school level;

(3) $700,000 in both fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15 for public library books and materials; and

(4) $127,557 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $3,752,771 in fiscal year 2014-15 for the per pupil funding allocation for public charter schools.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Economic Development

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Economic Development that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS
The Legislature has passed a variety of bills to encourage economic diversity intended to lessen the dependence on the visitor industry and defense spending.

• The Legislature has strengthened its commitment to the entertainment industry in Hawaii. HB 726 increases the motion picture, digital media, and film production tax credit and extends its availability from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2019.

• SB 1349 reestablishes the income tax credit for qualified research activities. The credit is intended to promote job growth in the research and development sector and attract high technology businesses to Hawaii.

• The high technology sector also is the focus of another bill. HB 858 appropriations $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 to establish the "HI Growth Initiative", an investment program to support the development and growth of high technology start-up businesses.

• For the operation of the Pacific International Center for Space Exploration Systems (PISCES), SB 1256 appropriates $400,000 in general funds in fiscal year 2013-14 and HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, appropriates the same amount in both fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15.

HB 200 also appropriates the following for economic development programs:

(1) $50,000 in general funds in fiscal year 2013-14 to support the Hawaii fashion industry;

(2) $175,877 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 in general funds to match s U.S. Small Business Administration state trade promotion grant;

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

2013 Legislative Overview: Agriculture

The following is a look back at some of the significant bills relating to Agriculture that were passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

AGRICULTURE HIGHLIGHTS
The Legislature continues to take action to diversify the agriculture industry in order to promote exports that infuse dollars into the local economy and food sustainability which maintains the circulation of dollars within Hawaii. The Legislature recognizes that the agriculture industry has evolved from one comprised primarily of large-scale sugar and pineapple plantations and ranches to one comprised of smaller farmers and ranchers engaged in the production of a variety of agricultural commodities.

• Livestock feed costs are high in Hawaii and constitute a major hindrance to profitability of ranchers and farmers. SB 593 expands the "State Livestock Feed Subsidy Program" for qualified producers of meat, fish, poultry, or seafood and appropriates $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 for subsidies to be distributed among them.

• To maintain the viability of the local coffee industry, HB 353 appropriates $550,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 for programs to prevent and treat infestations of and mitigate the damage caused by the coffee berry borer beetle, an invasive species relatively new in Hawaii.

• New farmers and farming techniques are necessary for the growth of the agriculture industry. SB 993 is intended to promote this purpose. The bill expands the Department of Agriculture's "New Farmer Loan Program" to make recent graduates of agricultural college or training programs eligible for such loans. SB 993 also allows new farmer loans to be made for innovative agricultural research, technologies, and techniques. HB 200, the Executive Budget Bill, provides funding of $750,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and fiscal year 2014-15 for the loan programs.

• Food safety is a primary public health concern nationally as well as locally. The agriculture industry cannot grow or even survive if farmers are unable to guarantee the safety of their agricultural products for human consumption. SB 326 establishes a good agricultural practices task force with the duty of identifying and developing good agricultural practices that farmers may implement to improve the safety of locally grown food. HB 200 appropriates $100,000 for the task force.

Other appropriations in HB 200 include the following:

(1) $162,540 in general funds and $262,420 in federal funds for the detector dog program to detect invasive species;

(2) $519,56 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $668,032 in fiscal year 2014-15 in general funds for bio control personnel and programs;

(3) $215,568 in general funds in each fiscal year for nine Maui plant quarantine inspectors;

(4) $2,000,000 in general funds for two mobile slaughterhouses;

(5) $1,500,000 in general funds for the Kunia agricultural park irrigation system; and

(6) $600,000 in general funds for a biodigestor in Kunia to convert waste to livestock feed.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

End of Session Review on Hawaii News Now

2012 Opening Conference Remarks on the Hawaii State Budget

On Tuesday, April 17, 20112, the Senate and House opened conference on the Hawaii State Supplemental Budget with comments from Senate Committee on Ways and Means Committee Chair David Y. Ige.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Senator Ige Talks about the Senate's Draft of Budget Bill

Earlier this month the Senate Committee on Ways and Means unanimously voted to pass the Senate's version of the $11 billion supplemental budget for the State of Hawaii, House Bill (HB) 2012. Following three years of budget cuts totaling more than a billion dollars each year, this year's budget provided the Senate with a refreshing opportunity to reinforce the safety net where needed, reinstitute core services that have been decimated over the past three years, and make strategic investments in key areas that can help us grow the economy and sustain a more prosperous future for Hawaii.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

WAM Chair Talks About Committee's Decision to Hold the "Dream Act"

Senator David Y. Ige, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, explained the committee's decision to hold House Bill 1457, known as Hawaii's version of the federal "Dream Act." The measure, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Education on March 19, 2012, would allow Hawaii high school graduates without lawful immigration status to receive state funded financial aid and resident tuition at the University of Hawaii.

Senator Ige stated, "It really has been a difficult issue for me and the committee to deal with...On the one hand, we do believe that all of our students should have access to higher education. And for those undocumented immigrants, who have lived in Hawaii and attended our high schools, that all of them should have access to our higher education system at the residential rate. These are taxpaying citizens who contribute considerably to our communities."

Senator Ige further explained, "Twelve years ago, I led the charge to provide more flexibility to the University and we eliminated all mandated tuition waivers and gave full authority of tuition to the Board of Regents.... We've decided to hold this measure and respectfully request that the Regents take up this issue because I truly believe that this is an issue that the Regents should decide. If in fact we don't see any action we can take it up as a policy matter."

Friday, March 23

Department of Taxation and CIO Update Senate on DOTAX's Transformation

On March 22, 2012, the Department of Taxation (DOTAX) and the Chief Information Officer updated the Senate Committee on Ways & Means on the improvements made to DOTAX under the new administration. For several years, the State Legislature has posed concerns over the collection and processing of checks from taxpayers.

Two notable improvements made by the department included improving the efficiency of processing checks and the tracking of delinquent taxpayers.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Ways and Means Chair Senator Ige shares his remarks on SB2012

SB2012 passed the third reading on the floor of the Senate on February 21. The Bill will now crossover to the House.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Info Briefing on Department of Budget and Finance

On January 24th, representatives from the Department of Budget and Finance updated members of the Ways and Means on the State's general obligation bond. Senators were also briefed on the status and updates on the department's structure and financial progress over the past year. Click here to access a presentation detailing some of the talking points.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

WAM Informational Briefing Materials

January 4th:
Department of Budget and Finance
Judiciary
Department of Taxation

January 5th:
Office of the Governor
Office of the Lieutenant Governor

January 6th:
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Department of Accounting and General Services
Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Management and Technology

January 9th:
Council on Revenues
Economists - Carl Bonham, UHERO; Eugene Tian, DBEDT; Paul Brewbaker, TZ Economics
State Budget and Financial Plan
Department of Transportation
Department of Public Safety

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Senate Ways and Means Committee to hold Decision Making on Board of Education Bill

The Senate Ways and Means Committee will be holding a Decision Making hearing on SB8, SD1, Relating to Education, on creating a process for the appointment of members to the Board of Education.

WHEN:	Friday, January 28, 2011
	10:30 a.m.
WHERE:	Hawaii State Capitol, Conference Room 211

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Senate Ways and Means Committee on Twitter

The Senate Ways and Means Committee will be using Twitter to provide real-time updates on the progress of committee hearings. The Committee will be sending messages to let followers know that a hearing has convened, the bill or measure being discussed, and when the hearing adjourns.

To get real-time hearing updates, join the Ways and Means Committee on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/HI_Senate_WAM (Ways and Means).

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Budget Briefing Highlights

The Ways and Means Committee completed its budget informational briefings on January 18th. Department highlights with links to presentations follow: Click here to read more.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Info Briefing Live Broadcast

The Senate Ways & Means (WAM) Committee will be having an informational briefing on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Tune in to ‘Olelo channel 54 to view a live broadcast of the info briefing.

On the agenda are the Office of the Governor and Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

To view the agenda click here:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM_01-14-11_AM_INFO_.HTM

Monday, January 10, 2011

Joint Info Briefing Live Broadcast

The Senate Ways & Means (WAM) Committee will be having a joint info briefing with the House Finance Committee (FIN) on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Tune in to ‘Olelo channel 49 to view a live broadcast of the info briefing.

On the agenda are the County of Kauai, the City and County of Honolulu, the County of Hawaii, and the County of Maui.

To view the agenda click here:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/hearingnotices/HEARING_FIN_WAM_01-12-11_INFO_.HTM

Monday, August 16, 2010

Resignation of state airports chief leaves questions that must be answered

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser yesterday published the following editorial:

"The director of Hawaii's airports through most of the Lingle administration abruptly resigned this month, but his departure should not abort investigations of the state Transportation Department's airports division. Taxpayers deserve to know whether the irregularities preceding Brian H. Sekiguchi's departure took the form of sloppy administration, lack of oversight, criminal wrongdoing or all of the above..." View full article

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

KITV story on Senate investigation of DOT

"The embattled deputy state transportation director in charge of airports abruptly stepped down last week with just five days' notice.
Brian Sekiguchi's management skills and ethics have come under fire by a key state senator...At a July 19 hearing, State Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Donna Mercado Kim accused Sekiguchi of taking at least one day of vacation in April of 2009 without putting in for vacation time..." View full article