Hawaii Gov. Ige wants more spending on education, housing

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii Gov. David Ige is proposing a state budget that boosts spending on education, housing and homelessness.

The plan calls for $28.5 billion in spending on operations and $3 billion on capital improvement projects over the next two years.

Ige said in a news conference Monday that education is a top priority. His proposal includes $800 million for school and classroom construction and repairs.

Ige also budgeted $123 million for new housing projects and $59 million for public housing improvements. He called for $20 million annually on homelessness, up $8 million from last year.

Ige also proposed spending $1.3 million on vector control to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus.

The budget goes next to the Legislature, where there will be public hearings before a vote.

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