Senator Hanabusa's Opening Day Speech

The 2007 Legislative Session adjourned on May 3, 2007. We reviewed more than 2,000 individual pieces of legislation and ultimately approved and passed 325 bills.  To date the governor has vetoed 42 of those bills, and we have over-ridden 19 of those measures.

As legislators, we placed our focus where it really counts: on the needs of Hawaii’s families, our environment, and our community. 

I did my best to hear, consider, and respond to your concerns, and to ensure that my colleagues remain sensitive to our unique needs.

 

I've included a summary of the issues and bills addressed this legislative session on this website. To read about each issue in more detail click on the title of each section.

 

Mahalo,

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa

 

Community Needs

As part of my support for our community, I introduced a priority list of projects for the Wai‘anae Coast, and am pleased to say that they have all been funded in this year’s budget. 

Families
Community. Healthcare. Housing. The Environment.
Hawai‘i’s families have long been, and will continue to be, among our highest priorities. From keiki to kupuna, our families will find support and increased protection in the bills we passed this session. Community, healthcare, housing and the environment. This session, the legislature approved nearly $500 million to support education.  Schools all over our state will benefit from an increase in funding for repair and maintenance and much needed electrical upgrades.

 

Education
This session, the legislature approved nearly $500 million to support education.  Schools all over our state will benefit from an increase in funding for repair and maintenance and much needed electrical upgrades.

Tax Relief
The Hawai‘i State Constitution required this year that we provide some type of tax rebate. Rather than give an insignificant refund to those who will never notice the difference, we saw this as an opportunity to support those who most need our help. We also found other ways to ease financial burdens on more in our community.

Other Projects
I also supported a number of other projects, all which will benefit residents of the Wai‘anae Coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid for by Friends of Colleen

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