The State legislature reconvenes at the State Capitol today, for what is expected to be a three-week session. Last week, State House speaker Scott Saiki announced that one of the priorities is to address funds, legislation, and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
The key members of the State House and the State Senate have now announced the Legislature’s plan to allocate $635 million in Federal CARES Act funds, which the Legislature had put into the Rainy Day Fund, to assist residents and small businesses affected by the economic shutdown because of COVID-19 issues.
Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, State House Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, and Representative Sylvia Luke say the plan aims to support and reinforce the social safety net for our residents, rebuild and move our economy forward, and address the ongoing pandemic.
Some key items:
–$230 million to support unemployed residents until the end of the year, to replace the additional $600 per week coming to those getting unemployment benefits. The federal funds expire July 31, unless extended. The State benefit, starting August 1, will be $100 additional per week.
–$100 million in rental and housing assistance subsidies. Around 34,000 financially vulnerable households may receive rental assistance of a $500 monthly subsidy or 50% of rent, whichever is less, for up to five months from August 1 to December 31.
— $56 million for small small businesses, training and job programs connecting unemployed with local businesses in need of employees, and provide grants to local companies that can create local supply chains for necessary cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment (PPE).
–$100 million to distribute ample sanitation and PPE supplies for essential workers such as child care facilities, elderly care homes, small businesses, schools, and non-profits that work with populations vulnerable to the coronavirus.
–$149 billion to the Ige Administration for unanticipated and emerging needs such as additional unemployment insurance or COVID-19-related programs.
University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization estimates that $618 million in spending will generate more than $1 billion in Gross Domestic Product over the coming year and help Hawaiʻi’s households and businesses by supporting up to 6,500 jobs.
Both House and Senate committee sessions begin at 10 a.m. today. Some of the State House and the State Senate sessions will be available for online or broadcast viewing, and some may be available on NaLeo TV, the local public access station. Click here for the schedule.
The Hawaii County Council will meet July 1 to discuss how to spend the $80 million it is getting from the State’s CARES funds, $40 million of which has now arrived in the County’s coffers.