HONOLULU (KHON2) — Do not expect a direct cash rebate from the state this legislative session, but several bills in motion would offer tax credits, helping keep more money in your pocket. The Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks! Executive Director Deborah Zysman said they support tax credits as the change in the tax code would […]
In 2020, the state Legislature set a state goal to provide pre-K access to children aged 3 and 4 by 2032. Lawmakers appropriated $200 million to build and retrofit classrooms to make that happen in 2022. With this money, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke has engaged in public and private partnerships to expand preschool access.
The state faces steep budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that may include education.
Children advocacy groups hope to fill the gaps in services and find new ways to generate funds for those programs.
A top concern for advocates is how COVID-19 has highlighted inequalities for Hawaii’s children.
“With COVID, we really saw the impact of our lack of investment in some of our social service safety nets, in our education safety net, and in our programs for working families,” Hawaii Children’s Action Network’s Executive Director Deborah Zysman said.
HCAN’s top two priorities in 2021 are avoiding cuts to education and health and human services funding and creating support for working families.