Despite the financial problems related to Hawaii’s COVID-19, Governor David Ige said on Friday that “the last thing we want is to raise taxes during an economic crisis. The last thing we want is to obtain licenses or layoffs, because we know that it is aggravating the downturn in our economy ”.
Ige’s appearance on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Spotlight Hawaii video program followed the testimony of the Senate Pathways and Means Committee on Monday by the state’s Director of Budget and Finance, Craig Hirai, that increases did not specified tax and “revenue increases” were being considered to help cover a projected $ 1.4 billion deficit.
On Friday, Ige maintained the hope that economic aid is on the way.
The Revenue Council said on Thursday that the economy is beating past gloomy forecasts and is expected to show signs of improvement in April, May and June, and to increase further in fiscal year 2022.
Ige told Spotlight Hawaii on Friday that President-elect Joe Biden’s next administration also brings hopes of direct financial aid to states and counties that is not included in the latest COVID-19 federal assistance package.
“Without any additional federal assistance, we would clearly be looking to increase the unemployment lists with state and local government officials,” said Ige.
Ige originally proposed licenses for thousands of state employees who were scheduled to start on January 1, but have now been postponed to July, when the next fiscal year begins.
Despite signs of economic improvement, Ige said that “the budget crisis is the biggest problem that we must address”.
Ige was asked a wide range of questions and suggested that the best way to respond to changes in the local, national and global situation of COVID-19 is through its continuous series of emergency proclamations, which are more agile and flexible.
“If we had to legislate a solution in all instances, it would be very expensive and complicated,” said Ige.
On Wednesday, Mayor Scott Saiki told Spotlight Hawaii that he plans to introduce legislation that would create uniform COVID-19 travel rules across the state to reduce confusion for residents and tourists. Saiki also said he is likely to introduce legislation that reduces the penalty for not wearing a public mask of a misdemeanor – punishable by a maximum penalty of $ 5,000 and a year in prison – to a summons or violation.
The most recent increase in post-Christmas cases was expected, Ige said, “but obviously worrying”.
“We want to make sure that we are not invaded and that we don’t have to ration care or do that kind of thing that really puts our community at risk,” he said.
Most cases are occurring through the dissemination by the community, which can be reduced with the use of masks, reducing travel and limiting interactions.
“It’s definitely the residents,” said Ige. “The number of cases linked to visitors remains a relatively small percentage of the cases we are seeing.”
“People don’t feel comfortable or safe traveling at this time,” he said. “And if people asked me what my recommendation is, I would say, ‘It is not safe to travel unless it is necessary for work or it is something really important.'”
Asked about the potential for a statewide shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, Ige said: “I would not hesitate to issue a statewide restriction if necessary.”
He and the mayors keep in constant contact about COVID-19, but experiences vary between different municipalities.
“None of us really want to be closed,” he said. “We are all trying to avoid this.”
Asked about President Donald Trump’s incitement to a crowd that invaded the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to interrupt the counting of electoral votes, leading to death, Ige said:
“This has been a very dark week for our nation. I was shocked to see the President of the United States calling on people to act on their own, ignore the law, invade the Capitol and ignore voters’ wishes. The overwhelming majority of voters supported Joe Biden for president and Kamala Harris for vice president in free and fair elections. That was the voice of the people. To see the president urge his supporters to invade the Capitol and prevent the constitutionally required results certification and the declaration of the winner is just a terrible attack on democracy ”.
Ige met Trump and said, “He seems to be very reactive. I am concerned with what he can and cannot do. (…) I think we must examine all options to ensure that the president does not do anything that damages the country’s international reputation, but, most importantly, does not put our citizens in danger. I think we are all concerned that he does not do anything else that would be really catastrophic for our country. “