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Governor Josh Green recently announced significant budget cuts totaling $1.1 billion over the next two fiscal years. However, according to Green, these cuts were not as drastic as they may seem. About $500 million of the budget was allocated for the state’s rainy day fund, while the remaining funds were from projects that were either not thoroughly reviewed or unable to utilize their full funding. As a result, Green believes that these cuts will have little impact on the general public.
In terms of specific budget reductions, Governor Green eliminated $72 million for the construction of a controversial First Responder Technology Campus in Mililani. Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, who originally supported the campus plan, now understands the reasoning behind Green’s decision after a productive meeting over breakfast. Dela Cruz recognizes that Green, as mandated by the state Constitution, had no choice but to balance the budget by reducing spending.
One of the concerns with the First Responder Technology Campus was the potential for unforeseen expenses. Due to the lack of detailed information and uncertainty about long-term costs, Green made the decision to halt the project. He believes that this will not have a significant impact on the people of Hawaii.
It is worth noting that the Council on Revenues initially projected a 2% growth in state revenue with a surplus of $423 million by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. However, their forecast was later revised to predict a net loss of 1%. The state budget had already been passed prior to this revision, but Governor Green’s budget cuts have helped restore stability.
Green acknowledges that some of the budget decisions were made in the early hours of the morning, which was unsettling for many. He emphasizes that his priority has always been to address critical issues such as housing, homelessness, affordability, education, and climate. Specific projects were not a part of his promises to the people of Hawaii.
Despite the reductions, Governor Green still supports the development of affordable housing for teachers. Although he reduced the budgeted amount from $170 million to $50 million, there is still funding available for next year. However, he acknowledges that spending $50 million on this project will not be an easy task.
In addition to the reductions in affordable housing funding, Green made cuts in other areas such as water/irrigation infrastructure, state park renovations, and transit-oriented development. These decisions were based on the lack of detailed plans and potential unknown costs associated with these projects.
Moving forward, Green is enthusiastic about expanding the concept of “kauhale,” or tiny home communities, for the homeless population. The success of the medical respite kauhale near Punchbowl Street has been promising, with an average of eight newly discharged homeless hospital patients utilizing the facilities daily for post-hospital treatment.
Green has plans for two more kauhale communities, one near Middle Street and another in Hilo, aimed at helping homeless individuals struggling with drug addiction. These communities would provide up to three months of treatment to assist them in achieving sobriety. Additionally, other kauhale communities are planned for Nanakuli and the grounds of the State Hospital in Kaneohe to provide mental health treatment.
Governor Green is committed to aggressively pursuing these initiatives and believes that the success of these kauhale communities in Hawaii will serve as a model for addressing homelessness nationwide. Each community will be tailored to meet the unique needs of the area it serves, and Green is confident that over time, communities will be more accepting of these initiatives.
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