Key legislators and Gov. Ige celebrate the signing of the Kupuna Caregivers bill.
I am proud that together we were able to pass Kūpuna Caregiver legislation that provides assistance for full-time family caregivers who also have full-time jobs. This is a win for Hawaiʻi’s families.
We also worked to make sure those who have served our state get to retire with the dignity they were promised and deserve. With the Legislature’s support, we took aggressive steps that will save us $1.6 billion over the next 20 years.
As our kūpuna have taught us, paying our bills, honoring our obligations and saving for the future is how we build a brighter future. And we have done that. One value that has guided this administration is to not simply pass on our debts to our kids and grandkids. We have rebuilt our reserves, our Rainy Day fund, to $310 million.
We have gone after the tax cheats and collected millions from those who were not paying their fair share. And we are working to make it easier and fairer for people. We have made needed changes to improve the system so we can collect the tax revenues we rely on for state services. I believe we’re on the right track to accomplish this major task.