Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) wrote to Governor David Ige earlier this week asking that he detail how he will spend down the $321 million that the state received from the federal government and has not yet allocated to any purpose, which may have to be returned to the U.S. Treasury.
In her letter, the Senator noted that the state has spent roughly $23 million of the $863 million Hawaii received in the CARES Act’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, and that Hawaii residents should have clear and frequently updated information about how the state is spending coronavirus relief funds. She also called on the state to release details about the spending of federal dollars at least weekly, instead of the monthly reports the state has been issuing.
“I remain concerned that Hawaii will not spend these federal resources before the end of the year, and that a lack of clear information provided by the state on how funds are being used is creating frustration and confusion among Hawaii’s residents,” Senator Hirono wrote.
Senator Hirono continued, “Trust and confidence in public institutions are imperative to help us get through this pandemic and a lack of transparency and clear communication only creates distrust and erodes confidence.”
In her letter, among other things, Hirono said:
Federal funds were appropriated so that state and local governments could continue to provide stability, relief, and critical services during the pandemic. To ensure funds are being utilized for their intended purpose and disbursed in a timely manner, please provide:
1.A list of any outstanding inquiries that your office has with the Department of the Treasury regarding eligible uses of the Coronavirus Relief Fund;
2. Additional information on any outstanding inquiries with the federal government that are causing the state to delay spending from the Coronavirus Relief Fund;
3. A detailed timeline outlining when allocated funds are expected to be transferred to the relevant state agencies;
4. A detailed agency-by-agency timeline for expending coronavirus relief funds once transferred to them; and
5. The details of any existing contingency plans, in the event these funds are not spent for their intended purposes by the State legislature’s deadline of December 28th.
The letter can be found by clicking here
