Lawmakers finalize negotiations on state budget bill

House and Senate conferees on Friday approved a final version of the state budget bill, which includes operating and capital improvement monies to run the state government.

HB1900 HD1 SD1 puts a priority on appropriating funds for critical health and human service needs that will benefit residents statewide, a press release issued Friday afternoon by the Legislature said. The bill goes before the Legislature this week for a vote. If approved, it will then be sent to the governor for his signature.

House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke said the budget provides $15 million to fund homeless services, $3 million more than requested by Gov. David Ige, to allow the state the flexibility needed to take decisive action and systematically address long-standing problems in the community.

“Instead of dividing various amounts for separate programs, the state Homeless Programs Office needs the flexibility to decide where best to use the money. The state cannot be rigid, especially with our homeless population. It must be able to move funds around to take care of circumstances as they come up,” said Luke (D-Oahu).

Read more: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/04/22/hawaii-news/lawmakers-finalize-negotiations-on-state-budget-bill/