Jeanné Kapela, Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 5
From Honolulu Civil Beat
Nationally, U.S. billionaires have gained almost a trillion dollars in wealth since the first public health emergencies were declared.
Budgets are about allocating resources. Ultimately, our state’s fiscal choices—including decisions about raising revenue—reflect our political and socioeconomic priorities. As we craft the islands’ economic recovery, the choice is clear: Will we continue a status quo that damages our most vulnerable residents or will we finally put people before profit?
This year, I will introduce an omnibus revenue generation bill to close the state’s budget shortfall by increasing taxes on those who can afford to pay a little more to uplift their neighbors’ well-being.