HONOLULU — Hawaii’s lone Republican in the State Senate has proposed a smaller state budget than what his Democratic counterparts approved to make the argument the state is headed for fiscal disaster if it doesn’t change course.
Sen. Sam Slom proposed a budget Friday calling for $795 million less than the $12 billion budget the state Senate passed Monday.
Slom’s proposal calls for $207 million in cuts to the Department of Education, Department of Health and University of Hawaii. The health department would get less money for mental health programs. Education cuts would be made to administrative positions. Another $110 million would come from removing vacant positions.
Slom says he knows his proposal is not likely to get any traction. But he wants to inform people about financial problems down the road.