Gov. David Ige today unveiled his proposed $28.5 billion state budget for the next two years that includes money for severance payouts for Maui hospital workers who will lose their jobs to privatization, funding for new jail space for women offenders, and more money to combat homelessness.
“This budget proposal aims to balance our state’s current needs with our investments for the future — providing basic needs for our residents such as affordable housing, quality public schools, primary healthcare and essential social services,” Ige said in a statement announcing the budget.
Ige is asking state lawmakers to approve an additional $20.9 million per year for the next two years in assistance for the homeless, and also to support people who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Ige’s proposed budget also includes more than $3 billion in new construction funding for harbors, airports, correctional facilitiies and other public infrastructure over the next two years, including $373 million in new schools and classrooms.
