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"Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin, who also chairs the city's budget and fiscal affairs committee, said the city will likely furlough all employees who are not in the police or fire departments to make up an expected $200 million budget shortfall."
"Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin, who also chairs the city's budget and fiscal affairs committee, said the city will likely furlough all employees who are not in the police or fire departments to make up an expected $200 million budget shortfall."
Hawaii is different. We'd rather run the entire state government into the ground to avoid cutting government employee salaries.
Hawaii is different. We'd rather run the entire state government into the ground to avoid cutting government employee salaries.
Not different in that both require a balanced budget. Where will the $1.5 billion projected shortfall be made up? Ige has until June 30, 2021 to balance it. He delayed pay cuts for state workers. The longer he waits the most drastic the cuts will have to be. How can you make up that shortfall without cutting worker salaries? I have no idea but something will need to be done, and fast.
Not different in that both require a balanced budget. Where will the $1.5 billion projected shortfall be made up? Ige has until June 30, 2021 to balance it. He delayed pay cuts for state workers. The longer he waits the most drastic the cuts will have to be. How can you make up that shortfall without cutting worker salaries? I have no idea but something will need to be done, and fast.
I agree - they were hoping the Feds would give States bailout money. I don't see that happening at the moment. The press has interestingly been giving Ige a free pass on the issue during the press conferences - I don't see what magic accounting tricks they can come up with to avoid the cuts. Hawaii's budget is actually simplistic - I see brutal cuts ahead for the State - only Fed money can help.
I agree - they were hoping the Feds would give States bailout money. I don't see that happening at the moment. The press has interestingly been giving Ige a free pass on the issue during the press conferences - I don't see what magic accounting tricks they can come up with to avoid the cuts. Hawaii's budget is actually simplistic - I see brutal cuts ahead for the State - only Fed money can help.
With the $600 per week "Federal bonus" to unemployment set to run until July 31st, the State should have furloughed many/most employees, knowing they would receive decent compensation. Chances are good the bonus will be extended too.
I agree - they were hoping the Feds would give States bailout money. I don't see that happening at the moment. The press has interestingly been giving Ige a free pass on the issue during the press conferences - I don't see what magic accounting tricks they can come up with to avoid the cuts. Hawaii's budget is actually simplistic - I see brutal cuts ahead for the State - only Fed money can help.
At the same time, demands for state funded services are likely going to increase too. Public school attendance will likely go up as private tuition has suddenly become unaffordable. I guess somewhere just a little south of 20% school age children in Hawai'i attend private school. The list of categories and their associated demand by state residents will grow.
With the $600 per week "Federal bonus" to unemployment set to run until July 31st, the State should have furloughed many/most employees, knowing they would receive decent compensation. Chances are good the bonus will be extended too.
Besides the optics looking terrible - State governments can't pivot that quickly.
Logistically and legally - you run into limitations with all the union contracts - seniority - benefits (cut all the healthcare?) - vacation payouts, etc
Legislature finally set to return - the scary part of the article, is all the proposals are followed by - and the money will need to be repaid later....
Legislature finally set to return - the scary part of the article, is all the proposals are followed by - and the money will need to be repaid later....
The first paragraph says it all. "Hawaii lawmakers are planning a press conference this morning to announce they will return to the state Capitol on Monday to get back to work, and their primary mission is to find ways to cope with a looming budget shortfall and prevent furloughs and pay cuts for public workers."
The feds bailout of the state should include austerity measures targeted at public workers.
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