News Archive
READ: Public Services Need More Federal Stimulus
June 17, 2020
On June 17, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published a Letter to the Editor from HGEA President Jon Gasper. The content of the letter appears below.
Public services need more federal stimulus
From the onset of COVID-19 in Hawaii, Gov. David Ige has been sending mixed messages, leaving many Hawaii residents confused and frustrated. We know the coronavirus is hurting our economy, and, with the trans-Pacific quarantine extended until July 31, recovery will take even longer. But as the experts have said over and over again, there’s a clear way to keep our economy going.
Borrowing the maximum federal funding will ensure that vital community services will continue to be available through this crisis, and funding the state and county workforce will stimulate our local economy.
Public-service employees are working tirelessly to help businesses and community services reopen and operate safely. We’re doing our part and want to continue doing so, but we need the federal stimulus to help us get through this time of great uncertainty and rebuild our economy.