SB3091 allocated an emergency appropriation of $20 million to the state Department of Education to address a significant shortfall in its school food service operations. The department faced a deficit exceeding $20 million due to a 42% increase in food costs during the 2022–2023 school year, affecting more than 80% of its food purchases. This funding ensures the continuation of approximately 20,000 breakfasts and 80,000 lunches served daily to students and staff statewide.
The Hawaii State Senate passed SB3091 on May 1, 2024 by a vote of 25 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the nays because neither feeding children nor educating them is the role of the government. These responsibilities belong to a child’s parents or family. Not only does charity have no part in the duty of government, but there is no such thing as a meal that comes “free of charge.” The hard-working people of Hawaii must not be forced to fund a compulsory, failing, and government-run K-12 school system.
