Hirono: Trump Budget Bad for Hawaii, Reflects Misplaced Priorities

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on President Trump’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019:

“Instead of investing in programs that help middle and working-class families across our state, the President proposes trillions of dollars in cuts that would harm nearly everyone in Hawaii,” Senator Hirono said. “I will continue to fight to protect Hawaii residents from this administration’s misplaced priorities.”

The President’s FY 2019 Budget makes harmful cuts to many programs and initiatives important for Hawaii, including:

-        A 33 percent cut to Essential Air Service that supports air transportation to communities like Kalaupapa, Hana, and Kamuela.

-        The elimination of the TIGER Grant program that has supported construction of Honolulu Pier 29, Saddle Road, and the Lihue Town Core Mobility and Revitalization Project.

-        A $451 million cut to health professionals training programs.

-        The elimination of funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Program – which has helped tens of thousands of Native Hawaiian youth – and the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant – which assists the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in providing housing counseling, housing developments, and other assistance for thousands of Native Hawaiian families.

-        A $70 million cut to Impact Aid.

-        The elimination of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Sea Grant College Programs.

-        A 34 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency.

-        Cuts to the Volcano Hazards Program ($6 million), the Tsunami Warning Program ($11 million), and the Ocean Acidification Program ($2 million).

-        The elimination of the National Housing Trust Fund, Community Development Block Grants, the HOME Investment Partnership, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

-        A $1.4 trillion cut to Medicaid over the next 10 years.