This was written before the 2024 edition of the Legislature said “enough is enough” and closed the books for the year, so first, it's truly finished, and second, it's time to judge the work product. There is some risk in doing so.
I've watched past Congresses sing “Hawaii Aloha” for decades, only to end up crossing out the “I” and removing the cross on the “T” before it was actually completed. , I just decided that I needed to unpack the budget that had been put together.
So, as we recognize the period leading up to the gavel for the scheduled May closure, we remind readers of past legislative wizards like the late Kauai State Treasurer and former Tony Kunimura. There is some hesitation in calling this year's legislative work complete. The mayor physically destroyed the agreed-upon budget. Or how the late Sen. Yoshinaga Nadao used whiteouts to remove his name from a signed budget conference committee report.
If the session ends as scheduled this Friday and a new state budget is prepared, it will all be to the state's benefit.
The session did not start on a very optimistic note.
That's because the state is still reeling from its response to the devastating Lahaina fire, which gutted the island's prime tourist center.
Last month's state financial report stated that “Hawaii's real gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2023 (the latest estimate available) has rebounded to 97.7% of the same period in 2019.” There is.
“Hawaii is one of only three states in the country that has not fully recovered from the 2020 economic recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the economists said. The remaining two states are North Dakota and Louisiana. ”
But in a released report, Gov. Josh Green said the situation is improving.
Greene said the new budget “seems to fund the nation's main priorities, with pending legislation providing sufficient funding for Maui's recovery and tax relief for Hawaii's families facing the greatest hardship.” I hope and expect that it will be a great support.”
Still, state Business and Economic Secretary James Tokioka said, “Our economy will grow slowly in 2024. It's not a recession, but it will be slower than last year's growth and slower than the nation's economic growth.” Deaf,” he said.
Add to that the expectation that it will take seven years for local tourism to recover to pre-pandemic levels.
So this week, when state legislators are in a position to praise their budgetary prowess, it's important to note that they are benefiting from a 6% increase in personal income and that government contracts in 2023 will reach a record $5 billion. Remember what you've achieved.
Spending is increasing, but there are still no signs of new growth.
Like Lahaina's famous banyan tree, progress will be measured by new shoots and branches emerging from decades-old Hawaiian icons, such as tourism, and newly planted industries and businesses. is not measured by new growth.
Richard Borreka writes about politics on Sundays. Contact us at 808onpolitics@gmail.com.
