With the year's legislative session now over, budget realities are sinking in, including the impact on taxpayers and government services.
The next two-year budget is about a billion dollars bigger than what's been spent on government in recent years. What we get out of that extra spending may surprise you.
Following last year's reduction in force of about 1,000 state workers, dozens will be coming back under the budget lawmakers finalized this week.
"This isn't increased spending. What it is is a re-investment if you will in the personnel that we need to provide the core services," said Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
A little more than 40 state-funded positions are being restored.
* 14 in public safety - sheriffs primarily to staff the Kapolei courthouse
* 9 jobs to manage tax collections
* 9 more to have 24-7 coverage of the state's ICSD computer systems
* 7 in the state historic preservation division
* A handful for homeless programs and clerical jobs in neighbor island agriculture
"This is a very small number of individuals, and these people are key to operating core services in government," said Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D), Finance chairman.
Yet the newly minted state budget adds about $600 million in additional taxes and fees above the anticipated growth of existing revenues -- in all the taxpayer tab is up about a billion dollars over two years.
"It's like, hey, we've paid all that to get what? and I think that's where we cry foul that we've "restored government" but in effect the services aren't there," said Rep. Gene Ward (R), House Minority leader.
The Budget Conference Committee report points out more than $1.4 billion in non-discretionary cost hits - things like soaring Medicaid rolls, benefits for public workers, and hundreds of millions in debt service alone.
The budget fine print also forces policy action by cutting off purse strings. It gives the governor just one year to get the federal government to cover about
$150 million in medical costs for South Pacific migrants. Money for school buses goes away unless the school board reforms its transportation contracts. And the University of Hawaii must pay for its own lucrative 6-year contract for professors that pays back pay cuts and gives raises going forward.
"Through the university special funds, revolving funds, they can raise fees, they can raise surcharges, and of course they're probably going to raise tuition to some degree to pay for these contracts," Oshiro said.
The university said tuition is set through spring 2012. Any change would get public input and a Board of Regents vote, and would be accompanied by more financial aid and scholarships.
It is one of only three veterans cemeteries nationwide to earn the honor based on high standards of appearance and maintenance.
