HONOLULU — The state Senate convened in a special veto-override session on Tuesday that will continue today at 3 p.m. regarding several of the 26 bills Gov. David Ige has vetoed.
According to Ige, the state’s economic position is much brighter than it was at the start of this year’s legislative session, and federal COVID-19 relief funds have significantly helped the state address pandemic-relief efforts. The return of visitors to the state has led the Council on Revenues to increase its general fund revenue projections by $6.1 billion over a seven-year period.
“This means we no longer need to take some of the extraordinary revenue actions that were proposed this legislative session,” Ige said.
Ige also said the state did not receive the U.S. Treasury guidance regarding allowable uses of the federal rescue funding until after the legislative session ended on April 29.
“To comply with the treasury’s guidance, I am forced to veto several bills, leaving a gap in the state’s budget that must be addressed,” Ige said.
“I will be working with the House and Senate to resolve this issue. It is critical that we forge an agreement. Otherwise, we will be unable to move forward with the new capital improvement projects that were included in House Bill 200 – Relating to the State Budget.”
Other bills considered for overriding or modification during today’s virtual special session of the Legislature:
• HB 53, relating to the issuance of general obligation;
• HB 54, relating to the state budget;
Ige utilized a line-item veto on two line items in HB200, the state budget bill, because of the appropriation of federal relief funds for uses that were subsequently prohibited by U.S. Treasury guidance.
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Stephanie Shinno, education and business reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
