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Strengthening Hawai`i's Economic Future

Governor Updates U.S. Senate Committee on Progress in Utilizing Federal Funds

  • Governor Lingle testified before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee during a special meeting in Honolulu. The Governor discussed the State's progress in utilizing federal stimulus dollars provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to stimulate Hawai`i's economy and create jobs.
  • The Governor reviewed the steps her Administration took prior to the passage of the federal economic stimulus program to address the economic downturn, the funding Hawai`i is expecting to receive as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and how the state is using these funds to re-establish conditions for growth, and important competitive opportunities available under the federal stimulus bill and how Hawai`i is well-poised to utilize these competitive grants.
  • In order to address Hawai`i's economic challenges, the Administration launched a five-point proactive economic recovery plan last year.  Hawai`i’s five-point plan has the same objectives as the federal economic stimulus effort -- to create and retain jobs and to lay the foundation for future success.

     The elements of the five point plan include:

    Refocusing and increasing Hawai`i’s tourism marketing and outreach efforts. Campaigns have been launched in the targeted U.S. markets such as the West Coast, traditional international markets such as Japan, and emerging markets such as Korea and China
    Accelerating Public Infrastructure Investment. Last September, the Lingle-Aiona Administration launched a plan to expedite $1.8 billion in budgeted public construction projects, including roads, bridges, school repairs, airport and harbor modernizations, and other public works projects.  Through July, the state started, awarded, or is in the process of bidding out a total of $1.19 billion and anticipate meeting the entire $1.8 billion goal by the end of September.   
    Lowering Fees and Providing Tax Relief.  Keeping business fees and taxes low allows small companies - the backbone of Hawai`i’s economy - to retain workers, increase marketing, and weather a contraction.
    Attracting and retaining private investment, especially in the renewable energy sector.  The Lingle-Aiona Administration has worked hand-in-hand with firms willing to invest in the state.
    Maximizing federal dollars and partnerships. Hawai`i has served as the focal point for critical federal investments in ocean sciences, health research, astronomy, and the military.

 

State Delivers Layoff Notices to Union Employees

  • Governor Lingle announced that the State will begin delivering written layoff notices to the approximately 1,100 State employees who were previously notified their positions could be eliminated. 
  • The notices state the positions of the affected employees will be eliminated as of November 13, 2009. 
  • Governor Lingle also announced that she will furlough approximately 900 state employees for three days per month effective September 1, 2009. 
  • These “exempt excluded” employees are all non-union employees, who are not covered by Judge Karl Sakamoto’s order barring the Governor from unilaterally implementing furloughs for union employees.  It is expected that these furloughs will save the State approximately $7 million to $10 million for each twelve-month period the furloughs are in effect. 

 

Five-Point Economic Plan to Stabilize Economy

With the economy a top concern for families and businesses across the state and nation, the Lingle-Aiona Administration is hard at work implementing a comprehensive, five-point economic plan to stabilize our economy.

 

Five-Point Plan »
The plan’s five components include a commitment to: 

  1. Increased tourism outreach and marketing;
  2. Investing in improvements to our infrastructure and state facilities;
  3. Lowering business fees and providing tax relief;
  4. Attracting private investment, especially in energy; and
  5. Maximizing federal dollars and partnerships.

  

 

 

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