Hawaii's 3 Growing Liabilities: Pensions, Health Care, Debt

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Hawaii's budget director says his department needs an increase in funding of 9 percent and 18 percent in 2012 and 2013, respectively, over current levels — most of it to cover increasing pension and health benefits costs for active state employees, retirees and their dependents.

Kalbert Young, interim director of the Department of Budget and Finance, said Thursday the department is requesting a $1.78 billion budget for fiscal 2012 and a $1.92 billion budget for 2013. That compares to a $1.63 billion departmental budget approved for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

"Our big cost areas are all on the benefits side, and those are the areas that are increasing," Young told the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

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