Congresswoman Hirono votes in favor of
$787 Billion Economic Recovery Plan
Stimulus Package Includes Critical Investments in
Hawaii Schools and Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today voted in favor of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1, which will provide significant relief for Hawai‘i as part of a broader effort to save and create jobs while rebuilding the economy. The legislation passed out of the House by a vote of 246 to 183.
“This is a jobs and economic recovery plan that will bring critical help to Hawai‘i, already facing a billion dollar deficit. The bill will bring at least half a billion dollars to our state and, I hope, significantly more once all of the figures become available,” said Hirono.
“We’re talking about a bill that will save or create about 15,000 jobs in Hawai‘i, provide $200 million for needed infrastructure and ready-to-go projects in our state, and $194 million to the state fiscal stabilization fund to prevent deep cuts in education. In addition, Hawai‘i’s Department of Education will receive nearly $75 million for Title I and IDEA funds to serve our most disadvantaged students. Extending unemployment benefits, food stamp assistance, tax cuts for middle class families, energy tax credits and grants, and much, much more are in this bill. Hawai‘i could use it all,” Hirono said.
75 percent of the spending and tax cuts are expected to occur within 18 months of enactment.
The public will be able to track spending from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the website www.Recovery.gov.
The bill now goes before the U.S. Senate.
###
