Ige Submits Supplemental Budget

Governor David Ige brought his supplemental budget for the 2015-2017 Fiscal Biennium to the legislature on Monday.

The budget proposes $729 million be allocated to improve basic infrastructure and economic development to support his keys to the economy, $161 million to support affordable housing, $247 million to address critical health care needs, and $248 million for education.

“When I ran for Governor, I made a promise to the people of Hawai’i. I said that we would get our government house in order, honor our obligations and commitments, and act to improve the lives of Hawai’i’s people. The budget I am submitting this year keeps that promise.

“This is a supplemental budget year, a year when we make targeted changes to the budget adopted last year. We are focused on areas where government can make a real difference in the lives of Hawai’i’s citizens.”

Aside from financial obligations and keeping the state’s fiscal house in order, the administration is proposing to act aggressively to pay down debts to ensure funding for employee retirement obligations.

“This is the part of my work that is not glamorous or exciting; it is however the only responsible act to take,” said Governor Ige. “I look forward to working with the legislature on this budget in the 2016 session, to a healthy exchange of views on these and other issues, and to my upcoming State of the State Address which will allow me to place this budget in the larger context of the bills we will introduce and the administrative actions we are taking.”

Some of the budget’s highlights include:

Basic Infrastructure and Economic Development

• $179 million – improvements to Kona and Honolulu airports

$350 million – Honolulu Harbor modernization: $350 million in revenue bonds, $50 million in other federal funds, and $2,000 in private funds.

Housing

$25 million for the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund

$75 million for the Rental Housing Revolving Fund

Health

$160.5 million in capital improvement funds for patient care facility at the Hawaii State Hospital

Education

$26.5 million in operating funds will go to the Weighted Student Formula to allow principals to decide how to spend this portion of the DOE’s budget and how to best meet the needs of their students

$6 million in operating funds for the Preschool Open Doors to help families who need it the most send their children to preschool

$4 million in operating funds for the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Center

$30 million in capital improvement funds to keep our kids cool (heat abatement); they cannot perform to their potential if we cannot keep them comfortable

$35 million in capital improvement funds for a new classroom building at Campbell High

$60 million in capital improvement funds for renewal and deferred maintenance at UH campuses, statewide