Finance Chair Oshiro Breaks Down the Budget

On Sunday, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published an editorial from House Committee on Finance Chair, Marcus Oshiro explaining the state's current financial situation and plans for the future.

At the midway point of the 2012 legislative session, the House passed a budget that reflects a new normal after the Great Recession of 2008. It reprioritizes programs fundamental to public safety and welfare, immediately creates hundreds of jobs in a variety of key industries, and squarely addresses long-term debt. It also charts a course to grow our economy based on long-term financial stability and starts to implement our vision for Hawaii's economic potential.

The budget bill appropriated $5.6 billion in general funds and $13.6 billion in all means of financing, including capital improvements. This is the first year since the recession that the Legislature is not forced to close a deficit over $1 billion.


On March 7, the Council on Revenues revised its projection for fiscal year 2012 upward from 11.5 percent to 12 percent growth. While this means more revenue is available, to spend more money simply to restore programs is not the right thing to do. To incur debt because interest rates are low is shortsighted. To do so means that we haven't learned the lessons of the recession from which we are emerging.


Instead, the House budget is prudent and reprioritizes, rehabilitates and renews government services for the years ahead. It includes $2.2 million for 29 agriculture inspectors to curb invasive species and assist farmers with crop shipments. We provided $15 million for the most vulnerable, including abused and abandoned children, to hire 15 additional Medicaid eligibility workers to reduce the backlog of applications, and $23.4 million for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families services aimed at helping people achieve self-sufficiency.


Creating jobs now is at the forefront of our plan for economic recovery. The construction industry suffered greatly through the recession. There is a backlog of repair and maintenance projects for state facilities in excess of $1 billion. Recognizing these facts, the House appropriated $2.4 billion in bond-funded capital improvement projects for the coming year.


We are working with the governor to upgrade our information technology capacity; $30 million was approved for statewide initiatives by the chief information officer to streamline state government and create higher levels of transparency and accountability. This includes $1.4 million for the Hawaii Broadband Initiative to fund pilot programs to increase the state's broadband capacity.


Beyond the budget, House lawmakers are focusing on a matrix of economic initiatives through emerging industries such as aerospace, digital media and renewable energy.


The state's financial future also depends on tackling long-term debt. As of July 1, 2009, the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) had a total unfunded liability of more than $14.5 billion, with the state responsible for more than $11.5 billion. The House Finance Committee started the process of setting aside monies toward annual required contributions, appropriating $50 million for this purpose in fiscal 2012-2013. Due to the complexity of the issue, we propose a study on how to implement reforms and improve the fiscal health of the EUTF.


We believe that a steady and deliberative approach to the budget is the best way to achieve our goals. The budget passed by the House ensures that the most basic needs of Hawaii's people are met, particularly in human services and agriculture. It also supports long-term planning and accountability that will fundamentally change the character and delivery of government services. 

House Budget Supports Kauai CIPs and School R&M

Kauai Representatives Hermina Morita, James Tokioka and Roland Sagum

The State Budget Bill, HB200, HD1, passed the House of Representatives this week at the midway point of the 2009 legislative session. Kauai Representatives announced today that the House Draft includes over $56.5 million for Kauai Capital Improvement Projects, and over $3.8 million for school repair and maintenance planned for next fiscal year. The bill has crossed over to the Senate for further amendments. The House and Senate will hammer out differences between House and Senate drafts of the budget toward the end of the session. At this time, the bill includes:

Kauai Capital Improvement Projects

FY2010

Kuhio Highway, Route 560, Hanalei Hill $7,000,000
Wailua Emergency Bypass Road $950,000
Kaumualii Highway, Omao Bridge Rehab $550,000
Kaumualii Highway, Lihue to West of Maluhia Rd $36,500,000
Kuhio Highway, Lumahai and Wainiha $1,215,000
Kuhio Highway Intersection KCCC/Wailua Golf Course $3,500,000
Kauai Veterans Cemetery Upgrade $94,000
Port Allen Small Boat Harbor $300,000
Port Allen Small Boat Harbor $550,000
Waimea Canyon School Waterline $2,500,000
Port Allen Harbor Comfort Station $500,000
Waimea Canyon Dr/Kokee Rd $600,000
State Highway Guardrail/Shoulder Improvements $1,000,000
Traffic Operational Improvements $1,200,000
Lihue Airport Noise Monitoring System $100,000
TOTAL $56,559,000

FY2011

Kaumualii Highway, Omao Bridge Rehab $7,500,000
Kuhio Highway, Lumahai and Wainiha $5,000,000
Kauai Veterans Cemetery Upgrade $939,000
Port Allen Harbor Comfort Station $3,000,000
Traffic Operational Improvements $1,200,000
Lihue Airport Noise Monitoring System $746,000
TOTAL $18,385,000

HB200, HD1 also includes over $600 million in statewide projects for FY2010 and over $583 million for FY2011, of which Kauai will benefit although specific breakdowns have not yet been finalized. Planned Repair and Maintenance for Kauai Schools for FY2010 total $3,818,000.

Rep. James Kunane Tokioka, District 15, and Rep. Roland Sagum, District 16, serve on the House Finance Committee, which produced the House draft of the budget bill. Together, and working with Rep. Hermina Morita, District 14, they advocated for the inclusion of the above Kauai projects into the bill. Rep. Tokioka and Rep. Sagum, as Finance committee members, will sit as conferees when the House and Senate work out the final budget bill at the end of the legislative session.

Info. Briefings for Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Subject: Governor Linda Lingle's Revised Financial Plan
Committee: Joint Senate Committee on Ways and Means (chair: Sen. Donna Mercado Kim) and House Committee on Finance (chair: Rep. Marcus Oshiro)
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Place: Auditorium, Hawaii State Capitol

At their January 9, 2009 meeting, the Council on Revenues revised revenue projections for fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011. As a result, the projected budget shortfall will increase by about $630 million. This brings the total projected revenue shortfall to $1.8 billion by June 30, 2011. Budget Director, Georgina Kawamura, will brief lawmakers on Governor Linda Lingle's revised financial plan.

Subject: Rules of the House of Reps
Committee: Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedures (chair: Rep. Blake Oshiro)
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Place: Conference Room 437, Hawaii State Capitol

2008 House Rules

No room for basket weaving

I found a great read from The Chronicle of Higher Education about the different approaches college officials and policy makers nationwide are proposing this year to deal with large budget cuts in higher education. The article, Colleges Press New Ideas as They Brace for Bumpy State-Budget Sessions, mentions several universities that are now pitching to lawmakers ideas that would normally be politically unpopular during better financial times.

They include:

-Merging institutions
-Replacing tenure with 4-year contracts
-Making a public research university private
-Less state regulation
-Capping enrollment
-Cutting state-aid programs (scholarships)
-Reducing the need for faculty by reducing the number of general-education credits required
-Increasing cigarette taxes and using revenue for higher education – revenue discussion

However, some state lawmakers are pushing for more accountability by proposing cuts to underenrolled and redundant programs and basing how much appropriation a school receives on the number of graduating students rather than the number of students enrolled. Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney of Washington summed it up with this quote from the article, "There's no room for basket weaving anymore, anywhere."

Here on the islands, the University of Hawaii, in October, proposed a hiring freeze, electricity conservation and spending cuts to address the projected 4% revenue shortfall. It would be a savings of $30.6 million.

Now that the 2009 Legislative Session is around the corner, the Committee on Finance will be holding an informational briefing with UH officials to discuss their financial plan given the most recent revenue projection, which will be determined by the Council on Revenue this Friday. The info briefing will be on Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in conference room 308.

Fruitful Innovation

At yesterday's informational briefing on homelessness in Hawaii, the buzz word of the day (which will probably be used throughout session) was "innovative". Avant-garde policies. Creative ideas. Innovative meaning the best way to accomplish a goal by using as little money as possible – or none at all – given the bleak outlook of the state budget.

An article in The Maui News today featuring a new non-profit group is a perfect example of what it means to be innovative. "Waste not, Want not" is an organization that collects fruits and vegetables from the personal gardens of donating tree owners to distribute to senior citizens and low-income families at no cost. Volunteers collect and distribute produce with the help of the Maui Food Bank.

Budgets are tight and, as we all saw last year, the Hawaii Food Bank received fewer donations as more families struggled to put food on their own tables. We live in Hawaii where many of us have homes that probably boast mango trees, avocado trees, or even melon trees. My sister and I frequently knock on the doors of melon tree owners in Ewa Beach to ask if they want to swap papaya for melon. On most occasions they just give them to us for free because "they [melons] going just end up rotten on the ground anyway." Taking food that would be wasted if not eaten and giving it to those that need it the most at no cost to anyone seems like a sensible and fruitful idea to me.

In a time when a gallon of milk or a bag of grapes cost nearly $10, it's refreshing to read about communities sharing what resources they have. And from where I'm sitting, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. When my breadfruit and papaya trees bear fruit this year, I'll be sure to put what my family won't consume aside for others.

Balancing a big checkbook

I attended the Governor's meeting today, held in the State Capitol Auditorium, on the state's challenge to balance the budget. Simply put, Georgina Kawamura, the state's budget director, estimates that the state will face a $155.4 million shortfall by the end of this fiscal year. This is, frankly, illegal. The state cannot carry a deficit into the next fiscal year, by law. Therefore, the administration needs to make major cuts in order to balance the budget.

The Governor explained that the state is not like the federal government which is currently carrying a national debt of over $10 trillion. (Yes, that's trillion with a T.) The difference is that the federal government can print money and the state cannot.

While $155.4 million seems like a lot of money, that figure may grow further still. The legislature has asked the Council on Revenues to review their 1% growth projection for fiscal year 09 as this figure does not take into account the national economic meltdown of the past month. The COR is planning a meeting next week, yet it is unclear whether they will accommodate the legislature's request at that meeting.

Speaker Say anticipates that there may be negative growth for the year, which, if true, could mean that the shortfall will increase by about $50 million for each percentage point.

The Governor has asked her departments to calculate 10%, 15% and 20% budget cuts from the general fund, in addition to looking at tapping into special funds. She said that she does not anticipate clsoing the gap without using money from the state's various special funds.

Budget Facts

Here's where we stand on the state budget:

*According to current projections, the state faces a $163 million shortfall by June 30, 2009, and a $900 million budget shortfall carried out to June 30, 2011.

*The state administration must submit their executive budget plan to the legislature prior to the start of the 2009 legislative session, but their budget plan will be based on current projections.

*Given the economic downturn, especially in the past month, the current projections are obsolete, and we should expect to see lowered projections.

*The Council on Revenues is scheduled to update revenue projections in January 2009, and again in March 2009.

*By the time the legislature makes its budget recommendations, the revenue projections should be lowered, and the shortfall will be greater.

*The Constitution and state laws require the legislature to balance the budget over 6 years.

*Hawaii's total general fund budget for this fiscal year is $5.3 billion.

About last night...

In addition to closing out the operating side of the budget bill, HB 2500, the chairs addressed two issues that have been in dispute and will have a critical impact on segments of our community. One is the funding levels for Hawaii's charter schools, and the other is the reserve levels for TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Charter Schools: Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro explained to conference members that the legislature will provide an additional $1.6 million for the charter schools. He realized that it is less than they wanted, but given the lack of financial resources this year, most state agencies will be taking a cut in their budgets by comparison.

In mid-December of 2007, Governor Lingle and her staff performed the initial calculation for the Charter Schools budget. In fiscal year 2008, Charter Schools received $51.6 million. While Charter Schools came in for an increase of $19 million, the administration reduced the amount to $4.5 million. Still, Charter Schools would be getting more money than last year, while many other state programs will be forced to cut their budgets.

Rep. Oshiro took care to emphasize that this is a one-time-only expenditure and that it should not be added to the baseline budget of the charter schools. In addition, he made it clear that the Governor and her administration gave no indication that they supported the charter schools' budget increase request. In fact, the two chairs asked the charter schools to have the Governor send down a Governor's Message to restore a larger increase, and that message never came.

Further, it was troubling that the charter schools voted to approve a new school just last month. The new school will add 250 students to the system at a time when financial resources are not available. Oshiro questioned the management decision.

TANF: The Advertiser has a story outlining the TANF restrictions here. Here are some additional comments.

The administration receives $98 million per year from the federal government for TANF, but they have been spending $138 million per year resulting in a $40 million deficit which is taken from the reserve. As stated in the Advertiser story, the administration would like to spend the reserve down to zero. The Legislature is concerned that a)the reserve level will deplete rapidly and b)we are going into a recession which will result in even more people dependent on welfare funds.

How much should states keep in reserve? According to Jack Tweedie, the Director of the Children and Families Program at the National Conference of State Legislatures, who responded to an inquiry by House Finance staff:

"There is no federal or generally accepted standard as to how much of their TANF block grant states should keep in reserve for potential increases in cash assistance caseloads. NCSL did an analysis of changes in state's TANF caseloads and concluded that most states would be able to cover increased costs of cash assistance for two years out of TANF reserve fund if they kept 50% of the most recent year's basic assistance spending (which includes, but is not limited to, cash assistance spending) in reserve.

We recommend being able to cover the costs of increased cash assistance out of a TANF reserve fund (rather than increased state spending or cuts in other uses of state or federal funds), because increases in cash assistance caseloads virtually always come in bad economic times when spending in other state assistance programs (especially Medicaid) are also increasing and state revenues are going down."

Therefore, the money committees decided to keep $44 million in reserve, and drop the annual level of funding from $138 million to $116, or a restriction of $22 million.

It has been 12 years since former President Clinton and the U.S. Congress ended the traditional "welfare" programs and started the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families as a way to help people get out of poverty. Tweedie goes on to say that,

"Nothing that I have seen suggests that Hawaii has developed a strategy for using TANF funds in ways to reduce poverty or help move families toward self-sufficiency. Spending on youth programs does not contribute directly to reducing poverty....As your Auditor pointed out a few years ago, there does not seem to be much of a strategy in the funding of youth programs. Hawaii has also not tracked the families leaving TANF effectively, so you do not know how well they are doing or what has worked in your efforts to move them into jobs and off welfare."

The Budget Bill Passes Third Reading

House members voted unanimously to pass HB2500, HD1, the Executive Budget bill on third reading. The bill crosses over to the Senate on Wednesday, the same day the Council on Revenues will meet and announce new state revenue projections. Below is the floor speech given the Finance Chair, Rep. Marcus Oshiro. The Committee Report is here.

HB 2500 HD1 – Executive Budget
Floor Speech of Finance Chair - Rep. Marcus Oshiro

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I am standing in support of HB 2500, HD 1, the Executive Budget.

First, let me thank all of the Committee Chairs for their contribution to this measure. Their insight and prioritization of programs were invaluable in crafting this budget.

Thank you also to members of the Finance Committee. They began the careful review of the Governor’s Supplemental Request four months ago in December and have used the Department Budget Briefings as opportunities to analyze and prioritize the thousands of expenditure decisions that make up the Executive Budget.

They have been diligent with their responsibility as members of the Finance Committee and have suffered long hours without any complaint but kept attentive to the hard choices before us and always respectful of differing opinions. Each in their own way has been instrumental in prioritizing expenditures and making reductions. All of you should be proud of the work product that is before us today.

I'd also like to thank the House Finance Staff for all their hard work this session. This budget is a culmination of the efforts of many. Although the budget analysts are the ones most directly involved, there are many issues in the budget that tie back to bills that we crossed a week ago. And none of these efforts could be possible without the backbone of the office – the young men and women you all see in the front office.

They're here with us today in the gallery, and with your permission, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to introduce them.

First the front office – Allison Lee, Mary Ann Kawano, Jeff Yamashiro, Casey Ching, Jo Hamasaki, and Tracy Kubota.

Researchers – Nicolette Rowe, Akio Adams, Erik Abe, Stacey Tagala, and Randall Hiyoto.

Budget Analysts – Leslie Goo, Lauren Endo, Daniel Han, Hunter Gradie, Jonathan Conner, Shaun Kindred, Stan Kubota, Puna Chai, Eric Nouchi and Michael Ng.

Special recognition is due the Vice Chair. She insured that members maintained their health and reminded all of us to avoid too much salt, exercise regularly, and attend to nature when she calls. She kept us moving forward during my absence and no better vice chair could one hope for.

Mr. Speaker, a year ago this Legislature was looking at robust revenue projections, and there was a lot of buzz about large surpluses. At the same time, however, there were several warning signs that the economy was beginning to slow. At this time last year, the Council on Revenues was projecting revenue growth at 6%. However, your committee did not believe that this would last.

As such, last year, we began the difficult task of scaling back state expenditures, while at the same time ensuring that critical programs were provided with responsible, sustainable funding. We ended the 2007 Regular Session with a package of bills and a budget that did not spend everything. We left a healthy ending balance, knowing that it would be needed if revenues did not meet projections. ($200 million by FY 2009 vs. the Governor's$43 million) We were socially progressive but fiscally conservative. But even that was not enough.

Surprisingly, our actions brought a lot of criticism from the Administration. In Op-Eds and Commentaries in local newspapers, Press Releases, and Blogs, several people in the Administration were saying that my cautious attitude about revenues was spreading "doom and gloom" and creating unnecessary panic.

They were asking:

"Why didn't we spend more?"

"Why didn't we give bigger tax cuts?"

"Why can't we have it all?"

Mr. Speaker, politicians often get a bum rap for "not looking ahead". Or not being able to look beyond the next election. The plain and simple truth is the budget we passed last year set us on a solid path to avoid whole-scale, debilitating cuts to state government this year.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard that the committee report attached to this budget offends some people. If any member of this Chamber feels offended I offer my sincere apology. Please know that any criticism therein was directed to the Executive Branch and not this Chamber nor the one across the way.

Furthermore, it was not meant to provoke, but simply set the record straight. Everything written in the committee report comes from published government reports, newspaper articles, written commentaries, press releases, and public speeches.

It is not conjecture.

It is not theory or conclusion.

It is not open to interpretation.

It is simple fact.

I am calling a spade, a spade.

Mr. Speaker . . .

As I mentioned earlier, we ended the 2007 Regular Session with a revenue projection of 6% for FY 2007. When the Council met at the end of May 2007, they revised that projection downward from 6% to 4%, causing an $80 million loss in projected revenue for FY 2007; and in total, a $290 million loss in projected revenue by FY 2009, the end of our budgeting period.

When we got to the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2007, actual revenue came in even lower than what was projected. Instead of the 4% projected by the Council, revenues came in at 3.4%. This meant that we actually collected about $100 million less than what had been projected when we ended session. That loss would translate out to more than $350 million by FY 2009.

The FY 2008 revenue projection went from 6% at Sine Die last year to 5.7% in September 2007 to the current 4.9%. In total, when you compare the Council's revenue projections that we worked with last year to where we are today, there is a $414 million loss in revenue by the end of FY 2009.

The Council is meeting once again in two days. I ask all of us in this Chamber. What do you think the Council will do? What will be the revised projections? What impact will it have upon the budget and Financial Plan?

This is not the time to say "I told you so." It is also not the time to point fingers at one another. It is time to prepare ourselves for a slowing economy – make due with what we have - and live within our means. It is time to face reality.

We must hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

This operating budget totals $5.3 billion in general funds and $10.7 billion in all means of financing. Mr. Speaker, this budget cuts state government by $67million – approximately 1.27 percent.

Mr. Speaker the budget before you cuts state government. People may ask, "What will the impacts of these cuts be?

Unfortunately, I do not know the particulars. I wish I did. But, I do know that someone’s ox will be gored. I asked the Governor and her Administration to work with us and I was told that they, "could not comply" with our request for information.

In the coming days and weeks I'm sure that we'll see exactly what the impacts of these cuts are going to be. I continue to hope that we can all work together on this. It is what the public demands and expects of each and every one of us.

Mr. Speaker, this is an honest budget. It doesn't create false expectations, or make empty promises. Moreover, I expect my counterpart in the Senate to conduct her own independent review and examination of the budget. I also expect that she will apply the Council of Revenues March Projections to the financial plan. In other words, I do not expect a rubber stamp approval by the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, there will be tough economic times ahead and equally tough decisions to be made. Therefore, let us put aside false expectations and personal legacies and brace ourselves for the inevitable economic downturn and its effects. With courage and compassion, being cordial and honest, let us pledge ourselves to work together to insure that core government services are maintained for the heath, safety, and welfare of all our people.

Toward this end, I humbly ask for the unanimous support of the members. THANK YOU.

Why the non-releasing of funds is such a sore point...

Here's a recent dialog (11/7/07) between Think Tech host Jay Fidell and Representatives Tommy Waters, Marcus Oshiro and Kirk Caldwell on their frustration with the administration regarding releasing of funds.

Jay:
There was a fair amount of tension between the legislature and the governor this session.... The interface between the legislative and executive process, it's (the admin.) refusing to release substantial appropriations made by the 2007 legislature. So what's going on and can you help us to understand this kind of tension and why, and will it continue in the 2008 session?

Tommy:
My constituents don't really care if we're Democrat or Republican, they just want us to do a good job. As far as releasing the money is concerned, I think there is a problem. Our schools are dilapidated, our schools are falling apart. In Waimanalo, it's so sad, I helped paint the classrooms through the 3R's project. We had to move the furniture out of the way.

Jay:
You personally helped?

Tommy:
Yeah, it was such a great experience and I encourage anyone who can help, through 3R's, to do it. But when we were moving furniture, the carpet fell apart in our hands, if you can imagine, and the kids have to sit on that. And, it's shameful. It's shameful. And people in Waimanalo, they don't know what other schools have...and they think they are the stepchild and only the kids in Waimanalo have schools this bad. And the legislature appropriated, what was it Marcus, $75 million?

Marcus:
$75 million and $25 million for schools.

Jay:
$100 million altogether?

Tommy:
Yes, and the money isn't being released. And what do I tell my constituents when their kids are sitting on chairs that are broken, sitting on carpets that are so bad...

Jay:
What is the reason?

Tommy:
I don't know. I don't know.

Jay:
Is there anything you can do about it? Is there anything the legislature can do when the executive declines to implement an appropriation that all you hundreds of people decided to do?

Kirk:
It's a legal question but it's also a checks and balances, three branches of government question. It's not only a problem in our state but even at the federal level. I think the drafters of the constitution intended it that way. It's kind of like give and take. You can appropriate the money, but you can't force the executive to actually spend it....

...Think about this, and this is where we're troubled. We have a governor who is saying I don't want to release $100 million for our schools, for our children, but during the session and at the end of session she came on strong against the majority of the House and Senate for not supporting a $300 million tax break. So, she wanted to say we have enough money to return $300 million to the taxpayers, which we didn't agree with...but now there's not any money to repair our schools? Something doesn't add up.

Tommy: I beg. I've done that. When I needed money for the Waimanalo Health Center, I've begged! Please release the money. I get my constituents to write letters to the governor.

Marcus: It's 110 million dollars out there. We made it a priority. We said that we're going to put our money where our mouth is, in education, and in basic repair and maintenance in all schools statewide. And the Governor refuses to release the money.

Jay: If you made a bill that was vetoed, you could override it, and then resurrect it that way. But when you make a bill to give 110 million dollars, and it doesn't get spent, I don't understand, you can't do anything?

Marcus: That's the power of the executive branch to make the allocation and the allotment and to release the money, and execute on the legislator's public policy decision on the appropriation.

Jay: I got a question from a listener, Steve, from Punahou. It says, "DOE can't spend the money it already has, why would you appropriate more?

Marcus: Well, the 110 million dollars is cash, it's not bond financing, and cash can be easily spent, broken down by various schools and various needs to the classrooms. So the money can be spent immediately and for meaningful purposes in the classroom.

Silent March to Honor Tyran Vesperas-Saniatan

The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Rep. John Mizuno will co-host a silent march tomorrow to honor slain 14-year-old Tyran Vesperas-Saniatan. The purpose of the march is to create greater awareness on the issue of domestic violence, which often goes unreported by victims.

When: Tuesday, June 19th at 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: State Capitol - Marchers will gather at the Father Damien statue

On June 11th, Tyran was allegedly stabbed in the neck and killed by his father, Tyrone Vesperas, while trying to save his mother, Cheryl-Lyn Saniatan. Cheryl-Lyn, who was pregnant with a near term fetus, was stabbed in the abdomen. She survived the attack; the baby did not.

This year, the Legislature recognized that sexual violence and domestic abuse are not only law enforcement issues, but social issues that must be addressed in multiple ways.

HB500, the budget bill, provides $1,076,217 in general funds for fiscal years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 for the Statewide Sexual Violence Services program through the Department of the Attorney General. It also increases funding for domestic violence shelters throughout the

State by authorizing an additional $762,500, statewide, for each year of the biennium.