Latest news with #HouseBill300
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
New jail funding faces community pushback
HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new jail in Hawaiʻi has many voicing their opposition as people rallied and signed a petition to the governor against it. The Reimagining Public Safety Coalition is asking Gov. Josh Green to veto House Bill 300, which gives $30 million for a facility to replace the Oʻahu Community Recreational Center. North Shore community members discuss gondola plans 'Spend a billion dollars on a new super jail to replace OCCC or implement more cost effective solutions that address the real issues that are at the heart of the crisis we see in our streets,' said Liam Chin of Reimagining Public Safety Coalition. 'Our criminal justice issues are primarily driven by a public health and affordable housing crisis.' They say the jail population can be reduced through diversion of restorative services and through pre-trial reform.'We have to make sure that we improve our facilities, because some of them are just, you know, very badly degraded,' Green said. 'It's a curious thing to petition me, because I've been constantly talking about making sure that we do restorative justice and that we are healing.' The State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says a new triple-C is essential and would actually help expand its programs to meet its visions of restorative justice and rehabilitation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
State House members reintroduce Pennsylvania Fairness Act
(WHTM) — Two Pennsylvania lawmakers have reintroduced the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, which would prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace and housing. House Bill 300, introduced by State Representatives Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), aims to amend the PA Human Relations Act to include 'sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression' to the list of prohibited types of discrimination, according to PA House Democrats. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Roughly half of the states in the U.S. already have similar bills. The Pennsylvania Fairness Act has been brought up in the Commonwealth for decades and even cleared the House for the first time last year. Rep. Kenyatta is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and also considers himself religious. He says the bill found bipartisan support last year because religious organizations are exempt. Still, the state Senate has refused to consider the bill every time it's been introduced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii lawmakers reach deal on nearly $20B state budget
State government funding is slated to be a little higher in the next two fiscal years compared with the current year under a budget agreement reached Monday evening by state House and Senate leaders. A compromise draft of the state's biennium budget bill authorizes $19.9 billion in spending on state government operations and capital improvement projects for the 2026 fiscal year that starts July 1, up almost 4 % from $19.2 billion in the current fiscal year. For the 2027 fiscal year, $19.8 billion in spending is proposed. Sources for budget expenditures include bond debt and federal funding. Appropriations from the state's general fund supported by state tax collections amount to about $10.6 billion in each of the next two fiscal years, up nearly 2 % from the current fiscal year. Rep. Kyle Yamashita, lead negotiator for a 15-member House team, called the conference draft of House Bill 300 'a responsible and forward-thinking budget ' that strengthens the state's safety net and core programs. 'This budget addresses the critical needs of our communities, including housing, agriculture, natural resources, transportation, public safety, and economic development, ' Yamashita (D, Pukalani-Makawao-Ulupalakua ) said in a statement. 'It sets a strong foundation as we move into the interim and continue to assess federal impacts on our state.' Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who led negotiations for a 13-member Senate team, said it took a lot of people to put together the conference draft, and with Yamashita thanked everyone involved, including a team from the administration of Gov. Josh Green. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. 'From expanding core programs for vulnerable populations to supporting regional economic development that builds long-term resilience, we've worked hard to make sure our decisions today strengthen Hawaii's foundation for tomorrow, ' Dela Cruz (D, Mililani-Wahiawa-Whitmore Village ) said in a statement. 'Whether it's food security, access to healthcare, or helping small businesses grow, this budget is about making sure every part of our state has the opportunity to thrive.' After Green submitted his spending requests in HB 300, the House passed its draft March 12, and the Senate further amended the bill April 8. Since then, negotiators have met in private to hash out differences, including on Easter Sunday. There also were three public conference committee meetings to announce compromises on spending items where previous differences existed. The conference draft of HB 300 is subject to final votes by the 51-member House and 25-member Senate that have yet to be scheduled. Approval of the bill is expected. This year's legislative session is scheduled to conclude May 2. Green has the power to reject individual appropriations using line-item vetoes, and also can opt not to release budgeted funding for use. There is high uncertainty over whether there will be big cuts to federal funds for state government programs and projects in the weeks and months ahead under the administration of President Donald Trump. Some Hawaii lawmakers have contemplated the need to convene a special session to address any budgetary problems created by federal funding cuts as well as potential major negative impacts on Hawaii's economy from Trump-mandated tariffs. The bulk of the state budget is for agency and program operations, including personnel and maintenance costs. The negotiating committees released a list of almost 200 operational spending item highlights for the biennium. Some of them are :—$3.2 million for a temporary elementary school replacing one lost in the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire.—$5.2 million for fireworks law enforcement.—$10 million to improve 911 services.—$30 million for a health care education loan repayment program.—$42 million for summer programs.—$95 million for special highway maintenance.—$150 million for deferred public school maintenance.—$248 million for Hawaii Health Systems Corp.—$450 million for a hospital sustainability special fund. Separate from the state's operating budget, HB 300 includes capital improvement project funding of $3.4 billion in the 2026 fiscal year and $2.3 billion in the 2027 fiscal year. Of these sums, $1.4 billion and $423 million, respectively, is to be financed using bond debt. For the current fiscal year, the Legislature appropriated $4.5 billion for capital improvement projects. Capital improvement appropriations highlighted by the committees for the next two fiscal years include :—$1.8 billion for airport projects.—$1.5 billion for highway projects.—$380 million for affordable-housing development.—$118 million to improve University of Hawaii at Manoa student housing.—$72 million for regional public school meal kitchens.—$36 million for Hawai 'i Convention Center repairs and upgrades.—$30 million toward replacing Oahu Community Correctional Center.—$10 million for emergency siren system improvements.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leaders reach deal on state budget
State government funding is slated to be a little higher in the next two fiscal years compared with the current year under a budget agreement reached Monday evening by state House and Senate leaders. A compromise draft of the state's biennium budget bill authorizes $19.9 billion in spending on state government operations and capital improvement projects for the 2026 fiscal year that starts July 1, up almost 4 % from $19.2 billion in the current fiscal year. For the 2027 fiscal year, $19.8 billion in spending is proposed. Sources for budget expenditures include bond debt and federal funding. Appropriations from the state's general fund supported by state tax collections amount to about $10.6 billion in each of the next two fiscal years, up nearly 2 % from the current fiscal year. Rep. Kyle Yamashita, lead negotiator for a 15-member House team, called the conference draft of House Bill 300 'a responsible and forward-thinking budget ' that strengthens the state's safety net and core programs. 'This budget addresses the critical needs of our communities, including housing, agriculture, natural resources, transportation, public safety, and economic development, ' Yamashita (D, Pukalani-Makawao-Ulupalakua ) said in a statement. 'It sets a strong foundation as we move into the interim and continue to assess federal impacts on our state.' Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who led negotiations for a 13-member Senate team, said it took a lot of people to put together the conference draft, and with Yamashita thanked everyone involved, including a team from the administration of Gov. Josh Green. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. 'From expanding core programs for vulnerable populations to supporting regional economic development that builds long-term resilience, we've worked hard to make sure our decisions today strengthen Hawaii's foundation for tomorrow, ' Dela Cruz (D, Mililani-Wahiawa-Whitmore Village ) said in a statement. 'Whether it's food security, access to healthcare, or helping small businesses grow, this budget is about making sure every part of our state has the opportunity to thrive.' After Green submitted his spending requests in HB 300, the House passed its draft March 12, and the Senate further amended the bill April 8. Since then, negotiators have met in private to hash out differences, including on Easter Sunday. There also were three public conference committee meetings to announce compromises on spending items where previous differences existed. The conference draft of HB 300 is subject to final votes by the 51-member House and 25-member Senate that have yet to be scheduled. Approval of the bill is expected. This year's legislative session is scheduled to conclude May 2. Green has the power to reject individual appropriations using line-item vetoes, and also can opt not to release budgeted funding for use. There is high uncertainty over whether there will be big cuts to federal funds for state government programs and projects in the weeks and months ahead under the administration of President Donald Trump. Some Hawaii lawmakers have contemplated the need to convene a special session to address any budgetary problems created by federal funding cuts as well as potential major negative impacts on Hawaii's economy from Trump-mandated tariffs. The bulk of the state budget is for agency and program operations, including personnel and maintenance costs. The negotiating committees released a list of almost 200 operational spending item highlights for the biennium. Some of them are :—$3.2 million for a temporary elementary school replacing one lost in the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire.—$5.2 million for fireworks law enforcement.—$10 million to improve 911 services.—$30 million for a health care education loan repayment program.—$42 million for summer programs.—$95 million for special highway maintenance.—$150 million for deferred public school maintenance.—$248 million for Hawaii Health Systems Corp.—$450 million for a hospital sustainability special fund. Separate from the state's operating budget, HB 300 includes capital improvement project funding of $3.4 billion in the 2026 fiscal year and $2.3 billion in the 2027 fiscal year. Of these sums, $1.4 billion and $423 million, respectively, is to be financed using bond debt. For the current fiscal year, the Legislature appropriated $4.5 billion for capital improvement projects. Capital improvement appropriations highlighted by the committees for the next two fiscal years include :—$1.8 billion for airport projects.—$1.5 billion for highway projects.—$380 million for affordable-housing development.—$118 million to improve University of Hawaii at Manoa student housing.—$72 million for regional public school meal kitchens.—$36 million for Hawai 'i Convention Center repairs and upgrades.—$30 million toward replacing Oahu Community Correctional Center.—$10 million for emergency siren system improvements.
Associated Press
17-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Senate slashes millions of dollars from University of Hawaii budget request
The University of Hawaiʻi needs an additional $37.9 million for programs and services at its 10-campus system for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. The money would be used to pay for a range of things, including nursing programs, debt service for the UH Cancer Center, information security, financial aid counselors and athletic programs. But, according to an analysis of the state budget posted Friday by UH News, the Senate thinks the university can do just fine with less money in its operating budget — just $5 million total, to be exact. A similar amount is allocated for the next fiscal year. Kalbert Young, UH's vice president for budget and finance and its chief financial officer, said the budget proposal from the Senate is unfortunately 'par for the course — normal.' 'There always is a very big difference in terms of where the Senate and the House are in terms of budget priorities,' he said Tuesday. Young, who was the state budget director under Gov. Neil Abercrombie and is no stranger to budget fights, is not sure what UH will ultimately end up with as House Bill 300 is negotiated behind closed doors. It takes a lot of money to run the university — typically around $595 million a year — and UH has in recent years enjoyed support from many at the Legislature. In fiscal year 2025 (which ends June 30) UH got $3 million more in general funds than it did in the previous fiscal year, for a total of $617 million. But Young is alarmed at what appears to be a pattern: The Senate always chips away at what the university says it needs to do its work. Several senators, especially Donovan Dela Cruz who leads the Ways and Means Committee, and Donna Kim, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, have historically been highly critical of how UH spends its money, even though it has self-governing autonomy. Senate leadership did not respond to an inquiry about the UH budget. Young also puts the current state funding request in the context of significant cuts at the federal level under the Trump administration, something that Young's own boss has recently warned about. In a mass email to the UH community last week, UH President Wendy Hensel detailed some of the changes UH has made in response to Trump administration policy. 'So far at UH, 44 programs have been terminated, received stop-work orders, or are being phased out, affecting more than 39 employees and approximately $23.5 million in funding,' she wrote. 'We expect this number to grow. Campuses will likely need to use reserve funds to meet severance obligations for affected employees, as required by collective bargaining agreements and university policies.' Hensel did not identify the programs or employees. But she said changes in financial planning are likely due to the economic uncertainty coming from Trump's tariff policies that could drive up inflation and thus university operating costs. Hiring restrictions, limits in travel expenditures and reviews of contracts are already underway. The Senate's altering of UH budget priorities is also evident in the university's request for its capital improvement projects budget. For fiscal year 2026, for example, UH regents asked for $381 million. The House version of the budget, which was drafted before it went to the Senate, trimmed that amount to $229 million. The Senate's CIP appropriation increased the figure to $252 million. But, as Young observed, close to half of that amount would be for a single project — $120 million for Kauaʻi Community College student housing. The leaders of the House and Senate are both from Kauaʻi. Young did note that Gov. Josh Green and the House have been much more favorable to UH's budget priorities than the Senate. While the additional operating budget requests approved by the Green administration and the House were roughly $5 million to $6 million less than what the UH Board of Regents sought, they were still well above the $30 million mark — far more than the $5 million or so allowed by the Senate. Though concerned, Young is taking the budget uncertainty in stride. 'This is part of the process, and we expect that they'll work out the differences in conference,' he said Tuesday. Conference between the House and Senate began Monday and continues through April 25. The Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Finance Committee are expected to meet publicly early Thursday evening to see if they can hammer out a budget before the three-day weekend begins. Young said the operating and CIP requests were made before Trump was sworn into office in January. But he said the situation has changed significantly over the past five weeks. 'And every week is worse,' Young said. 'So we're talking about funding for programs, services — in addition to research that the university does — is going away.' 'So while there is no specific budget ask of the state yet to supplant the loss of those federal funds — spoiler alert — be advised: I portend that that day is coming very soon.' Hensel is scheduled to hold an open forum Monday afternoon at the UH Mānoa Campus Center to provide an update on the impact of federal policy changes and the university's response. ___ This story was originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
