The House of Representatives today voted to approve HB200 HD1 which appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the next biennium fiscal years …

For FY2013-2014 the bill appropriates operating money of $5.9 billion in general funds and $11.6 billion in all means of financing. For FY2014-2015 it appropriates $6.1 billion in general funds and $11.7 billion in all financing means.

House Finance Chair, Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa) re-iterated her observation that while the fiscal climate is a little more positive than it has been in the past, “this is actually the time to take a conservative approach to our budget picture. … We need to re-evaluate what government is here for, change institutional behavior and develop a budget that is transparent, efficient and accountable. …”

Funding highlights include $7.9 million for the state’sInformation Management and Technology Transformation Plan, restored services and positions cut by the Department of Agriculture,almost $2 million to support the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative,$205.5 million over the next two years to address unfunded liability, $12.9 million for the Weighted Student Formula and $10 million annual funding for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. …

The CIP budget now goes to the Senate for further consideration. Once approved by the House and Senate the funds are released at the discretion of the Governor. …

“I commend Chair Luke for protecting taxpayers from many harmful cost of living increases and pursuing a responsible budgetary approach as Hawaii’s fiscal outlook begins to improve,” said Minority Leader Aaron Ling Johanson, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Finance. 

—Chad Blair