Schatz Pursues Hawaii Priorities in Washington D.C.

By Wendy Osher

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, file photo by Wendy Osher.

Lt. Governor Brian Schatz is in Washington, D.C. this week where he is pursing federal assistance for administrative priorities. Lt. Gov. Schatz is expected to meet with federal agencies and members of the Obama administration during his visit.

Priorities identified include job creation, clean energy, human services and fiscal stability. The Lt. Governor has also expressed interest in pursuing federal funds for homeless prevention, and Medicaid reimbursement.

While on the mainland, Lt. Gov. Schatz will also work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess the likelihood of obtaining federal assistance for damages sustained in the March 11th tsunami.

Lt. Gov. Schatz will brief colleagues on recovery efforts in Hawaii at both the Democratic Lieutenant Governor’s Association Policy Meeting and the National Lieutenant Governor Association’s Federal-State Relations Meeting.

Meetings include discussion with the following Obama administration members: Jon Carson, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, the White House; Anthony Marion Babauta, Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, U. S. Department of the Interior; Frankie Reed, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, State Department; Dorval Carter, Chief Counsel, Federal Transportation Administration; Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs; and Mercedes Marquez, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning & Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“I look forward to meeting with members of the Obama administration to articulate Hawai`i’s unique needs and opportunities,” said Lt. Gov. Schatz. “Now more than ever, we need to be partners,” he said.