Budget Won’t Restore Government Functions, Says Abercrombie

By Wendy Osher

Governor Neil Abercrombie, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed the legislative budget bill into law, but said the document requires the Administration to operate with hundreds of millions less than what is necessary to restore core government functions.

House Bill 200 CD1 contains a provision that allows the governor to impose a $50 million fiscal constraint reduction in each of two fiscal years.

“Despite tax increases passed by the legislature, services and programs will still have to be significantly cut,” said Gov. Abercrombie in a statement today.

The governor asked all state departments to work together in identifying programs that may be affected; and asked his Administration to identify programs, services, and activities for possible elimination.

“In recent weeks, our administration began discontinuing financial support of programs that are valuable but can no longer be sustained, such as Vanpool Hawai’i and the State Pharmacy Assistance Program,” said Gov. Abercrombie.  “These cuts and others that follow will be difficult but the financial constraints we face allow for no other course of action,” he said.

According to the governor’s office, the budget passed by the state legislature is $133 million less than the governor’s request for FY 2012, and $251 million less than his request for FY 2013.

Despite fiscal constraints, the governor said, “This in no way alters our commitment to our three-part plan to get Hawai’i moving forward by creating good jobs; transforming government and providing taxpayers with the best value for their dollar; and investing in our priorities and future.”

*** Supporting information courtesy Office of the Governor, State of Hawai’i.