Senator Baker Vows to Keep $20 Million for Kihei High School

HONOLULU March 18, 2008 — State Sen. Roz Baker said Monday she will keep a $20 million appropriation intact for the development of a Kihei high school.

Her promise came after the state House had let lapse the $20 million appropriation in its version of the 2008 supplemental budget bills earlier this month. The Kihei high school money initially had been approved in last year’s biennium budget.

Baker, who represents the South Maui and West Maui districts, said she’s been advocating for a Kihei high school and has supported budget allocations to develop it for at least four years.

She said the Legislature authorized a $5.5 million appropriation during the 2004 legislative session for the high school plans and design, and then an additional $7.3 million in 2006 for plans, land acquisition and design.

The most recent legislative appropriation for $20 million was approved during the 2007 session and was directed toward land acquisition, an environmental assessment and permits.

Altogether, the state Department of Education’s latest estimate for a contract to design and build the school hovers at $134 million.

State Rep. Joe Bertram, who represents the 11th House District of South Maui, said he was glad to hear of Baker’s intention to fight for the Kihei high school funding. The freshman representative expressed confidence that Baker, the Senate Ways and Means Committee chairwoman, would succeed.

“She’s a powerful woman,” Bertram said. “If you have her on your side, she’s a great friend.”

Both Bertram and Baker said they believed the House may have let the $20 million lapse in response to a call from House leadership to draft a balanced budget. But the Kihei high school funding can’t be dropped out of this year’s budget unless the House and Senate agree, Baker said.

“They can’t dump it without our agreement, and we’re not going to agree to dumping it,” Baker said Monday. The filing deadline for bills under review in a nonoriginating legislative body is April 4. Following that, a conference committee with representatives from both the House and the Senate will make decisions on what bills and appropriations will be approved.