2017 legislative funding advances key state initiatives
Posted on May 19, 2017 in Capitol Connection, Featured
2017 Windward Community College graduates
Education. Affordable housing and homelessness services. Sustainability. The 2017 state Legislature appropriated funds for the governor’s priorities as well as for schools, highways, airports and harbors, and protection against invasive species. Among the items funded:
Windward CC graduate Dee Chaves and her son Ikaika.
• Early College High School program -$1M in each fiscal year to expand the program in high schools.
• Hawai‘i Promise – $1.8M in each fiscal year for a new program to help UH community college students cover the gap between financial aid and the cost of tuition, fees and books.
• Affordable housing – $25M for the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to finance additional units and $25M for the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Also $19.4M for development of Hawaiian Home Lands and $7.6M for repair and maintenance projects. In addition, 29 permanent positions and funding for the multi-skilled worker pilot program and site, dwelling and security improvements in public housing.
• Homelessness – $3M for Housing First, $2.1M for elderly and family housing, $3M for Rapid Re-Housing, $1.5M for homeless outreach, and more.
• Sustainability – $4M in each fiscal year for Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council; $750,000 in each fiscal year for Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death response. Also $1.5M for the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund.
• Health – Six permanent positions for vector control; $4.1M for Kupuna Care and $1.7M for Aging and Disability Resource Center.
• Transportation – $170M in revenue bonds for improvements to the overseas terminal ticket lobby at Honolulu International Airport.
Kamakana Villages — Affordable rentals in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island
NEIGHBOR ISLAND BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
Hawai‘i – $17M for the Saddle Road extension to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway; $4.5M for Hilo Counseling and Keawe Health Center.
Maui County – Funds for transfer of three Maui County hospitals to Kaiser Permanente; Kahului Airport improvements.
Kaua‘i – $7.5M for Nawiliwili Harbor improvements; $17.8M for Kuhio Hghway, Mailihuna Road, Kapa‘a Stream bridge work.