The non-partisan Institute for Truth in Accounting has identified Hawaii as a “Sinkhole” state because it is one of five states in the worst financial position in the country.
While Hawaii has $19.5 billion worth of assets, only $3.9 billion are available to pay $15.4 billion of bills as they come due. Each taxpayer’s financial burden is $25,000.
“State officials say their budgets are balanced but do not include employee pension and healthcare obligations in their calculations,” stated Sheila Weinberg, Founder and CEO of the Institute. “Unlike the federal government, states can’t ‘print money’ to cover costs and shore up their financial conditions.”
The Institute’s newly released “Financial State of the States” Report reviewed each state’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) to offset assets against liabilities. For the first time, a detailed analysis of pension and healthcare liabilities was completed which uncovered the states’ actual obligations. From these calculations, the Institute was able to determine the true Taxpayer’s Burden for all fifty states. Click here to download the full Report.
Based upon extensive research, the Institute for Truth in Accounting has found most states are sinking in debt. Despite the existence of a balanced budget requirement, in all but one state, governors and legislatures have dug these financial holes. The lack of truth and transparency in state budget processes has concealed the accumulation of $1 trillion of outstanding bills. The Institute has identified Connecticut, New Jersey, Illinois, Hawaii and Kentucky as the top five “Sinkhole” states, each with a per taxpayer burden more than $23,000. Conversely Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, Utah and South Dakota are considered “Sunshine States’, because a per taxpayer’s surplus or minimal per taxpayer’s burden exists in these states.
In response to this report, Kalbert Young, director of the state Department of Budget and Finance, said “the State is aware of its metrics and statistics of its liabilities relative to other states. The Administration has been advocating for pro-actively dealing with the structural financial problems that challenge the future viability of State systems – like, the unfunded liabilities of its pension system and health insurance trust fund. These are issues that have been only minimally addressed for decades so the challenge and degree to address them is going to be severe, but they can not and should not be ignored. We are developing a pro-active financial plan to address these issues that would put Hawaii back on a trajectory comparable to other states.”
Sen. Sam Slom, R-Hawaii Kai to Kahala, said “This is yet another in a continuing series of national organizations critical of Hawaii’s fiscal policies. No matter how many times our majority party elected officials deny it, Hawaii has become a “sinkhole” state with plenty of sewage. Our $21 billion two-year budget, passed in May, 2011, is not balanced as required by our Constitution. Our state Employees Retirement System is underfunded by a true $15-$18 billion, our state employees health plan, EUTF, is underfunded by an estimated $8 billion, our infrastructure is badly broken, and our emergency reserve special funds have all been raided along with new taxes passed this year. Moody’s already downgraded Hawaii’s credit. We have not taken steps to prepare for an improved business and investment climate because of the economic denial of our leaders even though Hawaii has many opportunities to emerge from the fiscal sinkhole.”
House Republican Caucus Leader Gene Ward, said: “We applaud the Institute for Truth in Accounting for pointing out what Republicans have been saying for years. That is why we have issued an alternative budget each year, available online at www.hawaiistatebudgetonline.com. The Democrat-controlled Legislature has made the sinkhole deeper by enacting budgets that spend every tax dollar we collect. ”
The majority Democrats in both the House and Senate have not yet responded to inquiries about this report.
Hawaii Reporter is seeking comment on this report from several government officials and will add their comments as they are returned.
For more information, visit www.truthinaccounting.org or www.StateBudgetWatch.org.
Who runs this state? Democrats! Who controls the house, senate, gov, mayor etc… D’s. When is Hawaii going to see that if we continue to vote in the same old people, this is what we are going to end up with. Take a chance and vote whomever is currently in office now out of office next year–doesn’t matter D’s or R’s they all have to go! Get some new blood in there. Time for a real change before all you end up in your bank account is loose change. VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!!
The bond rating agencies continue to say Hawaii is doing a good job. It’s only the wacko groups headed by our illustrious senator Sam Slom who come up with this kind of goofyness.
I believe Malia Zimmerman the investigative reporter wrote this article. She’s great at finding out the FACTS. Goffyness no, ignorance on your part for the comment, YES. The state is in obvious financial disorder and it does not take an article like this to point it out it’s in plain view every day. Senator Sam Slom and Malia Zimmerman should be commended for bringing the truth about what really is news in Hawaii. It’s a true and thankless service on their part.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
[…] was responding to a media inquiry about the recent Institute for Truth in Accounting report that named Hawaii a "sinkhole state" and said Hawaii is in the 47th worst financial position of all […]
Such a beautiful place…surprised they even have financial troubles
Hawaii has been controlled by democrats for DECADES. "Detroit of the Pacific."
Has anyone forgotten that we are living in a zombie plague? Romans 6, the wages of sin IS death (active/present) which means those who are lost or have denied Christ and God are walking dead husks waiting only for their hearts to stop beating. Separated from God in mortal life and soon to be if they continue on their path.
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