HCR1 Budget Surplus.doc
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2006
STATE OF HAWAII
H.C.R. NO.
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URING THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO USE THE STATE’S
SURPLUS TO MEET THE UNMET CRITICAL SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL,
HEALTH, LONG-TERM CARE, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER NEEDS IN
THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STATE, RATHER THAN ISSUING A TAX
REFUND.
WHEREAS, due to an increase in state revenues, it is
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projected that there will be a surplus of several hundred
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million dollars; and
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WHEREAS, Governor Linda Lingle is considering using the
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surplus to provide a tax refund to its citizens; and
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WHEREAS, the media has often highlighted the problems and
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unmet needs of Hawaii’s public education system that could be
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met in part by using the State’s surplus; and
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WHEREAS, Hawaii claims to be the “Health State” and enjoys
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the highest percentage of individuals with medical coverage
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across the nation, yet too many children, part-time workers, and
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disabled persons receive no medical coverage and must either
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survive without these essential human services or rely on State-
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funded emergency services; and
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WHEREAS, with the anticipated wave of baby boomers entering
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their retirement years in the very near future, it is necessary
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for the State to play a leadership role and plan for this impact
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on Hawaii’s healthcare system; and
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Whereas, with the aging of Hawaii’s population and the
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increased life expectancy, it is also necessary to develop a
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State plan that addresses the long-term care needs of all its
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citizens, not just those who can afford the inordinately
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expensive long-term care plan policies; and
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HCR1 Budget Surplus.doc
WHEREAS, the rising cost of affordable housing is causing
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extreme hardship for Hawaii’s citizens, especially seniors and
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individuals with low incomes, resulting in increasing numbers of
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homelessness; and
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WHEREAS, transportation costs are increasing and access to
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reasonably-priced public transportation is getting more
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difficult; and
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WHEREAS, the State has a responsibility to respond to these
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areas of unmet social, educational, health, long-term care,
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housing, and transportation needs for all of its citizens; now,
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therefore,
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BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
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Hawaii Silver Legislature of 2005, the Senate concurring, that
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Governor Linda Lingle and the members of the Legislature are
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urged to use the expected State surplus to meet the tremendous
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and critical needs in the following areas:
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(1)
Lower and higher education;
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(2)
Health services so all citizens--children, workers,
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retirees, disabled--may have adequate medical
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coverage, including coverage for mental health
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services;
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(3)
Long-term care for all citizens and a program to
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support family caregivers;
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(4)
Reasonably-priced housing for all citizens, including
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the homeless;
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(5)
Reasonably-priced transportation services for all; and
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(6)
Promoting a good business climate without deducting
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worker’s pay, medical coverage, or the ability to save
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for a home or further education;
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and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Silver Legislature,
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consisting of senior citizens who helped to build our state and
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country with our work ethic and our sacrifices, and who live
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mostly on a fixed income, declares that we are willing to forego
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any refund in state taxes to meet the unmet critical social,
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educational, health, long-term care, transportation, and other
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needs in the best interest of our State; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Concurrent
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Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of
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Hawaii, the President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of
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Representatives.
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