State of Hawaii Archives: on Budget & Economy
Andria Tupola:
Save government money with efficiency; cut waste
The first thing any state or city agency should cut is waste. Look through the budget, set priorities, decide what we need versus what we want, and study it using an annual snapshot and then take a longitudinal look at trends. Read through the
auditors' reports and see if the suggestions on fiscal accountability or departmental efficiency were applied. Potential new revenue can be found in many broken city facilities that need to be repaired & then turned over to the community for public use.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii gubernatorial race
Jul 3, 2020
Andria Tupola:
Focus on spending efficiency, instead of raising taxes
Q: For balancing Hawaii's budget, do you support reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?A: No..
Q: Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
A: No..
Q: Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
A: No..
Q: An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
A: No. While inadequate funding certainly is an issue in some areas, increased taxes isn't the best solution.
We should focus on spending efficiency first because there is enough money within the budget to take care of the state's needs. Efficiency goes hand in hand with government accountability..
Q: Do you support state government spending as
a means of promoting economic growth?
A: No..
Q: Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
A: No.
Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2018 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2018
Ron Curtis:
Balanced budget achievable: stop waste and reduce spending
Government is responsible to balance the budget by eliminating waste and reducing spending before raising taxes.
Before any law or regulation is enacted, the economic impact should be calculated fairly and disclosed publicly. Government should not burden future generations with excessive debt.
Source: 2018 Hawaii Senate campaign website RonCurtis808.com
Aug 8, 2018
David Ige:
We are spending more than we take in; fix the imbalance
Building our [home community] begins with sound and long-term financing. It means working both the income and spending sides of the ledger. I recently submitted a preliminary budget that maintains state programs at current spending levels based on two
sobering realities:- First, we have fully committed our current funds to existing programs and services, and
- Second, we are spending more than we take in.
While we work to correct that imbalance, we need to focus our available resources
on strategic investments that grow our economy and strengthen our social safety net. In other words, we need to use the funds we have more efficiently and leverage it whenever possible.Federal officials tell me there is significant money--
about $940 million--available to the state for the right projects, proposed for the right reasons and at the right time. We also need to do a better job of collecting taxes already on the books.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Hawaii Legislature
Jan 26, 2015
Cam Cavasso:
Balance the budget; don't pass it on to children
Question topic: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity.
Cavasso: Strongly Agree.
Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.
Cavasso: Balance the Budget.
We must control our spending and pass to our future generations the foundations of a strong and prosperous community and government with out debt.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Eddie Pirkowski:
Free enterprise is the key to national prosperity
Question topic: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity.
Pirkowski: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Charles Djou:
Runaway federal spending threatens our economy & job growth
The working families and small businesses in our islands are struggling in this difficult economy. I have witnessed the effects of this struggle throughout our district. The top concerns that constituents share with me are the runaway federal spending
and the growing national debt which together threaten our economy and hinder job growth. We cannot spend and borrow our way out of this economic downturn. It simply won't work.
The federal government is spending too much money on programs that do too little for the American people. Washington's intervention in our economy has spiraled out of control.
With our debt soaring past $14 trillion, we must plan where we're going and how much it will cost us to get there. We need bipartisan support to bring spending under control.
Source: 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial campaign website, Djou.com
Dec 20, 2013
Cam Cavasso:
Government spending sucks oxygen out of the economy
America is the greatest example of free enterprise resulting in wealth creation and individual economic benefit in the history of the world. But today government spending is sucking the oxygen out of the economy. Until it is brought under control and
dramatically reduced, the standard of living Americans have come to enjoy as a way of life will continue to diminish. No variety of "prosperity" has ever been built on debt. Until Americans discipline themselves and their government off this addiction
and "live within our means", we will continue to struggle economically, ultimately losing our personal and national freedoms. I support an immediate cut in the payroll tax for all businesses accompanied by cuts in spending in government entitlement
programs including slowing down the rates of growth in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. I also support a balanced budget amendment to the federal constitution.
Source: 2014 Hawaii Senate campaign website, CamCavasso.com
Dec 1, 2013
Duke Aiona:
State should be smarter; current resources are sufficient
I believe the State has sufficient resources to fund all critical government functions and services and substantially all of the desired ones. Being smarter with how we use our existing resources should take priority over proposals to increase
taxes on working families. For example, additional revenues do not guarantee education will improve. Dedicated teachers, supportive principals and the encouragement of new and innovative teaching methods are important factors, as well as sufficient fundi
Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2010 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2010
Benjamin Cayetano:
More funding for tourism infrastructure
Tourism had a record year last year, and this year might be even better. One reason is our three-year old, state-of-the-art, $300 million Hawaii Convention Center. Another is the $60 million we give the Hawaii Tourism Authority to market Hawaii each
year. This year, we will focus on expanding our cruise line industry. Cruise lines are a very important part of Hawaii’s tourist industry. Therefore, we will submit a request for funding to improve docking and pier facilities.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Hawaii Legislature
Jan 22, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 12, 2021