The governor spoke about the need to make tough choices regarding future funding for Healthy Start, a program that helps pregnant mothers and at-risk families with newborns and toddlers get necessary care through home visits and screenings.
Abercrombie singled out money set aside to secure the Pro Bowl as a possible source of revenue.
"That happens to be an easy target if you will because it’s so stupid," said the governor.
At the height of the program in 2008 Healthy Start spending totaled $15.6 million, $11 million of which came from the state’s general fund. However in the current fiscal year funds set aside for the program dwindled to a mere $1.5 million as the state grappled with a severe financial crisis.
As part of an initiative to keep the program going the state Department of Health set aside $3 million from Hawaii‘s Tobacco settlement fund, which were leveraged with another $1 million in federal funds. However that still leaves Healthy Start $3 million short of the governor’s annual spending goal of $7 million.
"You gotta decide what’s important," Abercrombie added in an exchange with reporters.
Mike McCartney, the president and CEO of the HTA, was not immediately available for comment. The 2012 Pro Bowl is scheduled to be played at Aloha Stadium on Oahu in January of next year but the game’s future in Hawaii remains in doubt until another contract is finalized between the state and the NFL.
According to research done by the HTA the most recent game in January of this year resulted in $28.15 million in visitor spending, which netted $3.07 million in state taxes.
17,048 people traveled to Hawaii specifically to watch the Pro Bowl according to an analysis performed by Market Trends Pacific Research.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
