Urging The Department Of Accounting And General Services And The Department Of Human Resources Development To Evaluate Subsidizing Public Transit For Public Employees.
If evaluated and implemented, this resolution could lead to significant changes in state policies regarding public transit use among state employees. It proposes greater incentives for these employees to utilize public transportation options, thereby potentially reducing VMT and shifting the transportation dynamics within the state. Increased public transit participation is expected to contribute positively to the state's environmental goals, particularly in mitigating carbon emissions and promoting healthier urban environments.
HCR211 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii, urging the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) and the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) to evaluate the potential for subsidizing public transportation for state employees. The resolution emphasizes the State's commitment to decarbonizing the economy by 2045 and achieving zero fossil fuel emissions in the transportation sector. It highlights the importance of reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), which is essential for improving health and environmental outcomes, as well as meeting state emissions goals.
The resolution notes the existence of a pilot program allowing full-time employees of the executive branch to pre-tax deduct bus pass costs, suggesting that expanding this program could help include part-time and temporary workers as well. However, the proposal could face challenges related to funding and political support, particularly regarding the balance between investing in public transit versus ensuring other employee benefits. There may also be resistance from those who prefer private vehicle use, highlighting a possible friction between differing transportation preferences and the initiative's objectives.