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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0158.040 2024-2026p 15-C"61 ail► 3( COW' ► Z From: Renee Rabb Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 10:40 AM o c-, To: Council Testimony ZA c.© Subject: support of amendment to Bill 31 and Comm.158.22 �c p Testimony for Bill31 and Comm. 158.22 'nC' S� 2�:; i'a June 2025 ---D Good morning, Mayor Alameda and Council Members. My name is Renee Rabb and I am representing the District 4 Hawaii Democratic Party. I bring the support of lower Puna to the amendment proposed by Council Member Jennifer Kagiwada to increase the fund balance of the 2025-2026 operating budget by $2 million and to increase the Agricultural Research and Development Other Current expenses, Miscellaneous Contractual Services by adding a new line item of $2 million for Food Security Programs. Recently, our district voted to make supporting our county food bank a major action item. We are beginning work on a series of activities which will support efforts to feed people residing on Hawaii Island. The proposed federal budget cuts to the SNAP program are beyond alarming. I am not going to recite statistics as they have been reported in our local press and by our non -profits like the Food Basket. What I am here to say is that the public supports feeding people. We do not want to see our keiki and our kupuna go hungry. We will do our part as volunteers. But it is even more important that our local governments step up right now and provide resources. We are in a time which will define us as a society. Please say that feeding those who need help is of the highest priority. Some things can wait. This cannot. Mahalo, Renee Rabb District 4 Chair Hawaii Democratic Party COMI-el. L;4 Ref. To: Ref. Dsie L%'_ 20H