Hawaii House Bill HR198

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Condemning The Impact Of Federal Budget Cuts On Hawaii's Programs And Services.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the cascading effects these federal budget cuts will have on vital services such as education, healthcare, and social services, especially for populations reliant on Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The House of Representatives highlights that about 420,000 residents relying on Medicaid may face reduced healthcare access due to an $880 billion cut anticipated over the next decade. This situation raises alarms about the potential strain on hospitals, especially in rural and neighbor island communities, which rely heavily on these funding sources.

Summary

House Resolution 198 condemns the significant impact of federal budget cuts on various programs and services within Hawaiʻi. The resolution highlights the severe layoffs and funding reductions across federal agencies due to budgetary decisions made by the Trump administration, which have resulted in the loss of approximately 2,200 federal positions in the state. These cuts threaten to exacerbate unemployment and contribute to economic instability, with projections indicating a potential recession for Hawaiʻi stemming from these changes alongside proposed tariffs.

Conclusion

Ultimately, House Resolution 198 seeks to urge the federal government to reconsider these detrimental budget decisions while calling upon the Governor of Hawaiʻi to explore measures to counteract the adverse effects. It reflects a strong stance on the need for supporting essential community services and the overall quality of life for Hawaiʻi's residents, ensuring a stable economic and social environment amidst challenging federal financial decisions.

Contention

Opposition to the federal budget cuts is implicit in the resolution's call for action, indicating that such cuts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including seniors (makule), individuals with disabilities, and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The cuts to SNAP are projected to harm over 600,000 residents, increasing food insecurity and hardship in an area already struggling with a high cost of living. This illustrates the resolution's concern over the lack of local control to counteract federal overreach in funding crucial social safety net programs.