The State Legislature unanimously approved the Executive Operating and Construction Budgets today … which will drive spending for 2014 and 2015. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports …
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Donovan Dela Cruz said they passed the budget, along with the One ʻOhana Trust Fund and a Maui disaster relief fund to show a full picture of the requests from the governor's administration.
His proposed budget is $153 million more than last year’s operating budget, mostly due to wildfire-related departmental spending. The Maui County Council will now review and approve Bissen’s budget.