Dan, Dan, Mazie and Colleen said Thursday (June 14) that Hawaii will receive more than $53 million for Native Hawaiian health, education and cultural preservation programs.

DC808 reports: 

As well, the state “will compete for additional funds” included after the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the Fiscal Year 2013 Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies and the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bills.

Press release:

The bills also include language that instructs the IRS to maintain fully staffed Taxpayer Advocate Service Centers in Hawaii and Alaska, including a Collection Technical Advisor and an Examination Technical Advisor, plus the current complement of office staff, to help address the difficulties experienced by taxpayers in Hawaii and Alaska in receiving services from the U.S. mainland and tax assistance from the national toll-free line. 

Both bills were approved by a vote of 16 to 14 with Chairman Inouye voting in favor of each. The measures now go before the full Senate for a vote before proceeding to conference with the House.

—Chad Blair