Public support urged for Joint Legislative Package
Posted on Feb 26, 2020 in Capitol Connection, Featured
Signs at a news conference highlight the Joint Legislative Package of bills.
In a historic show of unity, the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Governor Ige, and local business and community leaders are working together on a comprehensive set of bills to reduce the cost of living and create a Hawai‘i where everyone has the ability to thrive. Forty-eight percent of our households in Hawai‘i are “ALICE” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), struggling to make ends meet. They have no safety net for emergencies, their income falls short of basic necessities, and they are working but can’t afford the cost of living.
The bills moving through this legislative session address the top three cost drivers workers and families are facing: wages and tax burdens, affordable housing, and access to affordable early childcare and learning opportunities. The public is urged to stay informed and support these measures:
HB2541: Relating to Helping Working Families will provide up to $70 million in annual tax relief by making the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refundable and permanent and increasing the food/excise credit by 36 percent to $150.
SB3104: Relating to Land Development addresses our need for 50,000 housing units by 2050. This measure creates an efficient path to get people into these homes now through the authorization of $275 million in GO Bonds for infrastructure and the development of affordable housing.
HB2543: Relating to Access to Learning sets forth the ambitious, yet necessary, goal of providing all 3- and 4-year-olds access to early childcare and learning opportunities by 2030.
SB3103: Relating to a School Construction Authority expedites building and designing 21st century schools for our keiki and community by leveraging underutilized school lands.