HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.013 1996-1998 Senate Bill 252 needs your support now
The year-before-last the state cut the appropriation for ger~eD
assistance. nom: ~~--BV-----------~-- -
Last year they ctxt it again. ~O"'
-~~y~County Council
This year they kept the same appropriation-- but will spend only
80% of it-- unless S.B. 252, wtuch would remove the 24-month
time-limit from benefits, is passed.
24% of general assistance benefits come to Big Island.
The general assistance appropriation is $27 million, or about 1%
of the State's operating budget.
Because of the improving economy (and the department's tighter
review of new applicants) general assistance caseloads have been
declining since November 1995.
Only 20% of the persons who enroll onto general assistance are
still on after 24 months.
If S.B. 252 is not passed then only $21 million of the $27
million appropriation will be spent-- $6 million will be lapsed.
Of that $6 million, $1.5 million would came to Hawaii County.
If S.B. 252 is passed-- with no increase in the appropriation--
there will be enough money to pay everybody $375/month all year.
S.B. 252 has passed the Senate Human Resources Committee, the
Senate Ways and Means Committee, the whole Senate, and the House
Human Services Committee.
The question remains: Will Chairman Say of the House Finance
Co~uttee hear the bill?
A similar bill which originated in the House was held in
committee by Chairman Say.
Please contact Big Island Finance Committee members
and ask them to hear S.B. 252:
Jerry Chang, District 2 Eric Hamakawa, District 3
974-4000 (toll free) 974-4000 (toll free)
x66120 x68480
Fax: 586-6121 Fax: 586-8484
The bill might be heard on April 4, 1997.
Call Chairman Say at (974-4000) x66200
mahalo, Carl Foytik 961-9921, ask for: "room 5, upstairs" ~~QQ ~~~j,~,
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PresFr2ted- NSEO(~
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MAR 1 9 1997