Federally mandated programs cost about $2 billion in Hawaii in fiscal year 2001-2002, according to a report released last week by the Legislative Reference Bureau. Mandated U.S. programs
cost $2 billion in HawaiiIn its 129-page report, the bureau said these mandates, or direct orders imposed on states from the federal government, cost the state $1.19 billion and the federal government $884 million in this current fiscal year.
By comparison, the state pays $1.35 for every $1 of federal funds for these programs. Most of these mandates are in special education, Medicaid, welfare and unemployment compensation, which combined comprise 75 percent of the $2 billion.
The report suggests the Legislature can free up state money used in these programs by looking at those programs where noncompliance penalties could be absorbed by the state.
The report also suggests the Legislature amend state budget law to allow federally mandated information as part of the governor's budget request so this information is available every year.
As it stands now, the Legislature since 1994 has asked the bureau for two-year updates of federally mandated programs.
Kimura to PUC: Wayne Kimura, who was just appointed state comptroller in May, has been named to the Public Utilities Commission by Gov. Ben Cayetano. He replaces David Morihara, who resigned from the commission to work for the University of Hawaii.
Cayetano also named Glenn Okimoto to succeed Kimura as comptroller and director of the Accounting & General Services Department.
Kimura worked for Cayetano when he was a state senator, and went on to serve as deputy director of finance, a policy analyst in the state planning office and a budget analyst.
"He has spent 23 years in public service," Cayetano said. "Over that time he has amassed a great amount of knowledge and experience that will serve as a good foundation for his term at the Public Utilities Commission."
Okimoto is a deputy director in the state Transportation Department. He has worked for the department for 20 years as an economist, program evaluation analyst manager. He is also a former part-time Kapiolani Community College lecturer.
Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
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