Recently, a few simplistic comments have been made regarding the state’s acquisition of No. 1 Capitol District, formerly known as the Hemmeter building. Detractors have juxtaposed this purchase against the need to improve schools, such as Maili Elementary. The fact
Recently, a few simplistic comments have been made regarding the state’s
acquisition of No. 1 Capitol District, formerly known as the Hemmeter building.
Detractors have juxtaposed this purchase against the need to improve
schools, such as Maili Elementary. The fact is that the administration
requested $5.4 million for Maili, and ultimately the legislature appropriated
$3.2 million.
Further, over the next three years we’ll be devoting more
than $135 million to the repair and maintenance of schools.
The logic
behind the Hemmeter building acquisition is rock solid. Why should taxpayers
continue to rent space, when for the same cost we can own it and pass it on to
our children?
The current owners paid $80 million. We can pick it up for
$22 million. If the State were to pass on this opportunity, we would be in the
vulnerable position of having to deal with escalating rents, or the costly
proposition of vacating the building. And its close proximity to the Capitol
cannot be duplicated.
We need to bring Maili and other deficient schools
up to par. We also need to make prudent fiscal decisions in the many other
areas of government. To pit the two against each other does all of us a
disservice.
Jackie Kido
Director of Communications
Office of the
Governor
