Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

We should reverse cuts that have been made on our State spending on education. Some examples:

* The University of Hawaii'’s general fund budget was reduced by $98 million in FY 2010 and $107.million in FY 2011 from FY 2009 levels. This is a 23 percent reduction in the University'’s general fund budget and one of the largest reductions in the nation among public universities.

This has led to higher student tuition and fees and reduced course offerings because of reduced hiring.

* The State Dept. of Education request for bus transportation was cut by $17M without any legislative direction on how to make up the cut. The shortfall will mean reductions in student transportation services at the elementary through high school levels.

* The State has never fully funded pre-schools targeted for low-income areas, which are intended to give these students a boost towards success by equipping them with the same learning skills as their peers.

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