live, saturday, april 27. conducting cohost, calling joseph, as the host. cspan now, celebrities will walk the red carpet into the event. 8:00 p.m. eastern on cspan. sights and sounds from inside the ballroom for the festivities again. watch the white house respondent dinner. like, saturday, april 27. on the cspan networks. >> illinois democratic senator, spoke on the floor about her experiences, having children through in vitro fertilization. protecting access, and other reproductive technologies nationwide. they objected to the request, saying the bill went too far.

making sure that people have access to ibf. other senators also weighed in on the topic. >> [ applause ]. >> jamie, lieutenant governor, speaker, senate president, colleagues, governors, mayors, consul generals, cj, there is, cabinet members who have been so wonderful, state leaders, and all the people of hawaii,

alone. -- aloha. fires swept through maui. i would like to take a moment to honor the memory of those that we lost that day. please join me in a moment of silence to honor them. i want to express heartfelt actions to everyone that has survived this tragedy, and the families impacted over the last 5.5 months. people have been so great in the face of tough times. i respect those that have pressed us to do more, to help those in need.

it has been an extraordinary and humbling? variance to serve as your governor over the past year. jamie and i are deep grateful for your support and encouragement. today, we reported that although we have faced great challenges, and has suffered an even greater loss over the past year, we are looking to recover and heal. i am here to report that the state of hawaii is strong. first, a response to the maui fires. we lost 100 local ones in the fire, and the lives of thousands more were changed that day. hurricane force winds, cause the worst natural disaster in our state's history. words cannot accurately describe the devastation caused by the fires. it scorched thousands of acres, and destroyed nearly all of it.

at this moment, i want to recognize the mayor that has strength in the face of this disaster. please stand. >> [ applause ]. >> two of the maui firefighters are with us today. please stand so that we can recognize you, and all of your fellow firefighters who put yourself in harms way. >> [ applause ]. >> chief of lease, who can't be with us today, who is working,

was alongside the firefighters in the first responders. he let his police force into the disaster to help rescue people. few people of that than the survivors can fully understand what it was like that day on the ground for police and firefighters. we are honored to know you. one more round of applause for these heroes. >> [ applause ]. these men and women knew what they were facing according to the fire. many of their own homes would be destroyed. some didn't know if the family was safe. they went in anyway. what they did was so truly heroic, i don't know if there are ever words that will be able to caption that. across our state, they quickly joined together in support of thousands of displaced survivors. they were among the very first to be recognized across maui.

archie, you are also one of our heroes. please stand. >> [ applause ]. >> another individual, stepped up more than anyone could possibly imagine. i have never witnessed such generous be in my life could the kindness that you have brought to this disaster, please stand and be recognized. the entire hotel community on maui, including jeff wagner, jerry gibson, and my dear friends, thank you for stepping up in our community needed to the most. thank you for your incredible work. as these heroes worked on the fire, state agencies, the form

of education, health, human services, all begin immediately working alongside fema in our conti, with the red cross, provide meals, temporary housing, and new schools. as well as support services for the disaster relief program. this includes disaster recovery, medical and mental healthcare. concerned citizens and organizations, such as the white union foundation, the red cross, cmha, and so many others localizing the strides, bringing tens of millions of dollars to the effort. it poured in from all over the world. looking at these partners in the first two weeks after august 8th, helped put 8000 of artist's people into hotels and condos across maui. in a few short months, we have already dispersed over $100 million in housing assistance to those who were affected, and

need it. disaster such as this one can take years to recover from. i'm especially grateful to other individuals that become local leaders, and were already in the evidence in our state. let's give another round of applause. >> i have been providing inspiring leadership from all of our guidelines. we are registering over 13,000 survivors. we will provide them with the long-term housing that they need. this includes 24 months of assistance. the american red cross, also looking at the full partnership with us. currently housing over 2300 families, more than 5000 individuals, and 30 hotels

across maui. as governor, i authorize the additional $100 million stipend for these families. matching the others that have been donating and matching the power of public contributions helping the affected families pay for housing, education, food, clothing, and anything that was in need that arose. the legislature stepped up. local businesses in the forms of emergency grants. preventing bankruptcies. this is a partnership with maui county. $12.5 million was made available. we are helping businesses survive and ever. what does this all mean?

the road to recovery will be long. healing will take time. it is going to take courage and commitment from all of us. we will get there as we come together to help support the maui community. we are discussing efforts on maui. we are looking at the recovery costs that will continue well into 2027. this is the administration directive. looking at the federal funds that will pay for one or her scent of the debris removal. this is for six and 12 months respectively. we brought a coalition together. creating the maui recovery fund. this will rapidly provide severe fires. participation as i have said before, will be completely

voluntary. the goal is to get as much money as possible to affected families, as quickly as possible. we have looked at the $75 million from the initial partners in the state. this includes maui county, commandment schools, hawaiian electric, charter communications, and hawaii telecommunications. >> [ applause ]. in order to operationalize this fund, we have first alliance bank and other community minded professionals. across the country, we expect to have this fund set up by march 1st. offering support to the families of maui have lost so much. >> [ applause ]. >> most central people's minds, is not discussing the maui interim housing plan. we announced the housing plan. i've hundred million dollars.

3000 housing units have been here for 18 months. this collaborative effort brings together the state, the county of maui, and looking at the local home. this is all displaced families. long-term housing, this is most of the moving in by march 1st. just a few weeks away. here's where we are going to have to make them feel for across the state and the country. we are looking at the short term rental property on maui. this is going to be displaced by the disaster. right now, we need your help to

care for them. let me break down how it is on maui. 27,000 short-term rental units on that island alone. if we can dedicate just 10% of these homes for displaced families, we can house everyone. we will cover the fair market value of each rental for two years. we will provide the property tax exemption that the mayor is counseling. it has been very thoughtfully passed through. 18 months, looking at those participated. this is the right thing to do. i urge everyone out there to join us if they can house our people. we have partners stepping

forward. believe me when i say this, i'm going to get people going first. all short-term rentals, finding enough housing. if you want to participate in this program, you can email us today. fema.dhs.gov, joining in this effort. housing 2024 at fema.dhs.gov. it is important that we care for people and put them within housing. in addition to the $250 million that fema was looking at for the rental assistance with these units, it is all about the homes and survivors.

this is the planning and design. this is part of the additional action. on many cases, this was the big guy. please stand by. >> in the coming weeks, in addition to all of his work, the first shipment of modular homes will continue to arrive in maui. this is part of the team efforts in the housing issue.

we will add an additional 480 minutes right away to help provide people with a sense of ability and security, as we implement further long-term housing plans that i have described. as we move forward, we are going to continue to remove the debris in west maui. we will do it respectfully. we are planning to respect these people, the way they want us to rebuild. now i would like to pivot to affordable housing statewide. even before the fires on maui, our state faced an urgent shortage of affordable housing. housing costs in hawaii are among the most expensive in the nation. this is such a desirable destination, in such a profitable investment for so many, that people from around the world have purchased prop d to hold as investments, or rent is short-term rentals to visitors. these are individuals who invest, four times what they would if they rented the

properties to one of our local families. right now, 52% of all short- term rentals in hawaii are owned by nonstate residence. 27% of short-term rentals, and their owners, on 20 or more units. 52% of all short-term rentals are rented by people outside of hawaii. making four times as much as if they were renting to someone that we love who lost a home. the housing crisis affects not only low income families because there are so few houses, but it also affects middle-class residents who earn too much to qualify for any help. too little to buy or rent in the spring housing market. local families are being squeezed out of the housing market, as 30 year mortgages approach 7%. the median home prices are absolutely too high for most. the process of building homes, which we are all committed to, has become so complicated and

costly in our state over the last few decades. this includes possible permit processes. we had to take immediate action. to do that, i signed the emergency proclamation on july 17th from last year. i appreciate your patience. this proclamation formed a committee, of the state housing experts. it empowers them to cut through the red tape. improving new housing projects more quickly and easily. we immediately improved 10,000 units of low income housing to struggle -- struggling low income families. >> [ applause ]. >> make no mistake, i ruffled a few feathers with this action.

i listened to the environmental leaders across our state. this is leading into affordable housing. allowing us to build more affordable housing, while protecting precious natural and affordable resources. this is going to assume character within all of hawaii. i'm grateful for their input. since then, we have begun the former housing bureaucracy. we have accelerated multiple projects, moving thousands of homes to teachers, nurses, firefighters, working with families all across our state in the coming years. the supplemental budget for fiscal year 2025 alone, places an emphasis on infrastructure and housing. this is with request to the legislature, $217 million. this remains the administration's top statewide priority. we have to have an honest moment. building alone will not solve

the housing price is. we need to find new ways to make buying or renting a home more affordable in hawaii. we have to take action to return the thousands of short- term rentals that i mentioned earlier, to the local housing market. a challenge of this magnitude, will require multiple solutions and approaches. there is no more simple bullet. what can we do? greater enforcement of the laws that we have, by making sure that the laws are important. tight restrictions and tax changes are likely necessary. emergency measures that we have been taking will be impactful. all of these can and should bring to bear the necessary vicinities that we have to have within the long-term housing market for our residents. today, i'm humbly calling my colleagues to help us. implementing the policies and reforms, which will return the

housing units to the long-term rental market for our people. this will increase supply, and bring down prices in the local market. this is partially inflated. this is the global demand to our state. i'm looking at any bill that the legislature sense to me that will help short-term rentals, and vacant investment properties owned by non- residents into the housing market. this will increase the price and bring down housing costs for our families. in addition to this effort, the team has been crafted with a landmark piece of legislation. i want to explain to you right now. it this piece of legislation will provide tax amnesty. this is to any owner with a short-term rental, which is selling us with the housing crisis. a sale of this kind, is looking at local families.

>> despite working multiple jobs, this is more than even before the pandemic. 34% of all families in our state are barely getting by. 63% of all hawaiian families fall in the same category. 44% of all of hawaii's families are living paycheck to paycheck. 23% of all of the hawaiian families, are falling into this

category. this has to change. the cost of living in hawaii is simply too high. especially the cost of buying or renting a home. families are moving to las vegas to seek affordable housing, lower cost of living. we have to find additional ways to reduce the cost of housing, food, healthcare, and really make all of hawaii more affordable. for earned income tax credit and food tax credit. the next phase of the plan is to go for the provide tax relief to families who are struggling including a child dependent tax credit, $87 million annually.

why is this important? working families can afford to live in hawaii next generation in planning proposals and tax provide all taxpayers leave from inflation. you have to do this. all the families of hawaii. dq. [applause] it is important for the affordability plan across the board and will are in the in its

decreased 2.9% in october last year, this is the lowest rate of unemployment since the pandemic so with the closure, i am concerned the aftermath for all the families we have. jobs, small businesses and i know this is difficult, incredibly difficult decision for many impacted by the wildfires in housing people are concerned and many others believe it is necessary.

all i can tell you is this -- i care deeply about every time, i listen to people's concerns and i'm sensitive about their peers. sometimes the government has to make certain decisions and for the health of our entire state.

[applause] it's been a roller coaster ride covid with the economy falling in the crisis in a no that's me jobs it should be difficult including from the future. last year i made cuts and vetoes and hope i did it respectfully enough, we are able to balance our budget and more importantly 1.5 billion dollar rainy day fund, these projections for our economy allowed to invest more critical issues and access to healthcare and homelessness so thank you very much for understanding. [applause]

[applause] homelessness. just over a year ago we face the second highest homeless rate in the country. 2023 homeless community, 6223 people in our state living without a home. our state rate of homelessness is more than double the national rate of 1,810,000 for many reasons. many struggle with mental illness and addiction and they suffer on the street and a shorter life span averaging only 53 years. maybe our goal to reduce homelessness by 50% for years. january 23 last year right at

this stage of the state address assigned an emergency proclamation on homelessness to cut through the red tape preventing much-needed action we had to take allowing us to begin proper construction of villages in the coming year. for those who haven't heard before, modest housing units, homeless individuals and households, shared space for cooking and eating, recreation and engaging unity activity together. lifespan increases back to normal and cost drops 70%. this is the reason the right humanitarian action to take it at me reopen the partnership to care for the homeless on our street and they are coming out

discharged located in the backyard between capital and department of health in washington place and it was a great success. i would tell you they are going to revolutionize how we deal with homelessness. please stand and be recognized, i would like to think the legislature last session and $32 million this year, it's very thoughtful. thank you for that. [applause] we extend our deepest hollows

and efforts for the heart and thoughtfulness over the last year end now we place our trust friend and legislature in cali. [applause] joining me in our administration after decades of punishment and commitment, i can't wait to see this mission. as we continue to invest in permanent solutions, you're going to see the results. let's turn to healthcare, for years there are a shortage of healthcare professionals so september 9, we announced payment program.

the healthcare association of hawaii state department of health in 19 hundred by you, hawaii education loan repayment program provides unprecedented $30 million educational loan repayment, health professionals bring them to and keep them in hawaii. [applause] why we do this and why does it help? qualify for loan repayment in our states up to $50000 a year. some $04,500,000 of debt in exchange for minimum service of two years while they are getting to practice in caring for patients that need them the most and fellowships are targeted providers who care for those who are usually on medicaid. the first batch and we receive

dozens of education applicants. we have already received thousands of applications. this is just weeks into it and with party announced our first 585 healthcare champions. [applause] as i look at the concerns of the freshman class coming in, they were focusing on mental health care. this year but putting an emphasis on mental health and addiction treatment to address the heightened concerns we have and on value. the solution is making sure underserved communities and healthcare providers they need and within five years hawaii will be the only state in the

nation with a shortage of doctors and nurses and social workers. [applause] again, an initiative also bring an end to disparities many in our communities have suffered for too long. two days ago a young doctor shared with me she's about to complete her training. because she received scholarships, she will be able to settle here for that. she grew up in white and is still with her high school sweetheart and now she can deliver a lifetime of care to local families and practice medicine. last year we strengthen our healthcare system with hundreds of millions of dollars in world facilities. this will help extend commitment for underserved communities and those who suffer.

i like to think the chapter making the hospital. you guys are wonderful. talk in summary, also communities need help in the community has been most likely ten years earlier and an average of eight years earlier, compared to other populations as we passed these programs, ongoing disparities in hawaiian community, fiscal department with the department of hawaiian homeland to approve $600 billion in homestead lands and beneficiaries, it goes hand-in-hand. thank you for your extraordinary work. [applause]

talking about gun violence. gun violence is a growing problem in hawaii and across the country. the tragic shooting of a 18-year-old moved and hosted our states gun buyback event last year and it was unprecedented. in a few hours department of law enforcement public safety almost 500 firearms our street with no questions asked, no id required. thank you. , collecting ghost gun, semi automatic weapons likely from the streets. alaska director continue holding gun buyback on a regular basis to get more guns on our street. this initiative went on an

island wide rampage into a bar grade police officers both of whom will survive. we must do more to protect our communities and those who know business to firearms. [applause] will not let this issue divide us. means taking lots of action on both sides of the political ideology, incarcerating violent

criminals, preventing a single people from having guns in the first place and providing much more healthcare access to those suffering mental illness and drug addiction which is too often to tragedies. thank you for helping me protect. [applause] public education demonstrated support costs people negotiated for your contract the 13500 they represent his contract which was the first thing who prioritize was important. essential pay raise for new braces and professional teachers. paid dividends already, i want you to understand how successful it's been. we are not being pure teachers retire and you are the classroom.

[applause] investing in education full help succeed we have requested $25 million think the education chairs with appreciation scheduled funding for the department of education and essentials classroom, his food service and transportation and education for our taking. i want to thank you and i want to take a moment. extraordinary work and education. [applause]

>> i took this advice to heart. we are friends colleagues and making preschool available to all children that are profoundly positive impact on our states to come. thank you for your great work on this and many others. it is recognized and critical. [applause] as characteristics committed across the board. hawaii must continue to invest in this culture, reduced dependence on fossil fuels and this is why i joined the crime and alliance on the 25 governor

securing the future by advancing led high-impact climate action. we have to do more to protect beaches in hawaii natural treasures go by climate change. without raising fees will talk to you about how i hope we can do this. his responsibility to protect hawaii preserve visitors to our island from i'm excited about this session coming up. the climate impact will provide needed resources to protect our environment and awareness of the impact of climate change. this legislative session renew efforts to cause a calm impact to to dongle on impact changes. imagine how the program would have been. we need to do better this year

so today i am simplifying proposal for proposing $25 fee when they arrive and check into a hotel. [applause] we already collect modest fee, generate approximately $58 million figure from visitors. invest the funds the way you feel we should invest. i believe in my heart it's not too much to ask visitors to achieve the same goals and accommodation tax. we will find a way to compromise

on these issues because we are surrounded by everyone who cares about the state may have one position or another doesn't mean we will come to so to preserve natural resources, this is an essential part of our way of life. thank you for considering this proposal, i know it will help in a can be found they shut down for good. military again october 165 months ahead of schedule and drink 104 million gallons in the tank from another 9.5% of the total will close facility

permanently so never again poses a threat to our health or safety of our water. [applause] we agreed to continue to take every necessary action to protect natural resources, especially water and hold those accountable so thank you for coming together in thank you for bringing all of us together as one family on this issue. [applause] a few new opportunities, focusing this year on noise

recovery, affordability will be easy to forget other important aspects to support our economy. this year we launched proposals so we move forward on the stadium and discussions with japan to create open trouble and actively seeking right now to expand states industry with a greater emphasis on local discussion and developing our own kids to become professional. a special thanks to senator of illinois and prioritize energy research and development with the goal of becoming hydrogen with these important discussions and partner with our own university and provide pathways

to build a sustainable energy state for our beautiful hawaii. a new university president 2024 will continue to rely on economic integration. [applause] finally our path forward. we never forget the day i was to our loved ones who change the lives of so many married. the people of maui have shown strength in the face of adversity but the days ahead will not be easy and they will continue to meet support and we will be there for them as long as it takes. over the past five about months shown the rest of the country and world the spirit of a local. we have come together and found

shared values and common purpose to support maui and recover and heal the house people and make life and why more affordable our next generation given build future here at home. [applause] again, i want to express my deepest gratitude to the people of hawaii for your resilience and commitment to each other, it is an honor to serve as your governor. [applause]

[applause]