Jobs and Economy
Senator Schatz is working to grow Hawai‘i’s economy for working families and the next generation by supporting small businesses, expanding tourism, and growing Hawai‘i’s clean energy sector. Brian firmly believes that the best social program is a good job.
Senator Schatz is committed to making sure Hawai‘i families have a fair shot at attaining economic security. As a member of the State Legislature, Brian voted to raise the minimum wage four times and in the Senate now, he’s fighting to raise the national minimum. In the U.S. Senate, he is a leading supporter of the Working Families Tax Relief Act, which would extend the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. To help families stretched thin, he’s working on an Opportunity Plan to create a better economic environment so families have the chance to move into the middle class. This includes instituting paid family and medical leave, increasing the minimum wage, enacting a child care tax credit, providing easier access to early childhood education, and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
Senator Schatz knows the needs of Hawai‘i’s small business community. That is why he joined a group of Senators to promote new ideas for expanding opportunities for small businesses in growth sectors to create high-quality middle class jobs. As part of this pro-jobs initiative, Senator Schatz introduced bills that would attract more investments to Hawai‘i, expand export opportunities, and create equal opportunities for Native Hawaiian small businesses.
As a strong advocate for Honolulu’s rail transit project, Senator Schatz is working with the Secretary of Transportation, Federal Transit Administrator, and the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure commitments that Honolulu rail will have the full federal funds it was promised. This project will revitalize Hawai‘i’s local economy, improve people’s quality of life, and generate an average of 10,000 jobs each year.
Senator Schatz has also supported vital funding for federal small business programs, because investment in our small businesses will pay off for generations to come. These programs benefit thousands of Hawai‘i small businesses by providing access to credit, training, and global markets. In addition, he voted for the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would ensure that brick-and-mortar small businesses are treated equally when competing with online retailers.
Eighty percent of the everyday goods we depend on are shipped into Hawai‘i’s harbors. That is why Senator Schatz worked with his Senate colleagues to pass the Water Resources Development Act, which would ensure the Army Corps of Engineers has the resources to maintain and improve our harbors so that Hawai‘i’s economy may continue to grow.
During his tenure in the State Legislature, Brian led the fight to expand and diversify Hawai‘i’s economy. In the U.S. Senate, he will continue to find opportunities to leverage federal resources to seed new sectors and develop those that are already succeeding.
As Lieutenant Governor, Brian led the State’s energy initiatives, which included the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, a federal and state partnership that advanced renewable energy and energy efficiency in Hawai‘i. Brian was able to foster discussions among key players in the energy sector, putting the State on track to achieve the most aggressive renewable energy portfolio in the nation. The Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative has become a national model for clean energy growth, while creating new jobs and contributing to long lasting economic development.
- Schatz, Hirono, Gabbard Announce More Than $1 Million for Economic Development Projects in Hawaii Posted on 09/15/14
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Schatz Votes to Pass Budget to Protect Jobs in Hawai‘i Posted on 12/18/13
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate today about how the long-term budget will protect jobs in Hawai‘i and prevent another government shutdown. Republicans blocked an amendment Schatz and Senate leaders requested to be introduced to the budget to extend long-term unemployment benefits. Without an extension, 7,700 people in Hawai‘i will lose out on crucial benefits beginning on December 28th.
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Schatz Statement on the Budget Agreement Supporting Hawai‘i Posted on 12/17/13
Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i), released the following statement on the two-year Bipartisan Budget Act, which the Senate voted 67 - 33 to advance today, and which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week.
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Schatz Fights for the Continuation of Emergency Unemployment Insurance Posted on 12/09/13
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Senate Leaders are fighting to include an extension of unemployment insurance in budget negotiations in order to prevent benefits from lapsing on December 31, 2013.
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Schatz Votes for Deal to Reopen Government, Prevent Default Posted on 10/16/13
Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz joined a bipartisan group in voting for a deal to end the government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling, preventing our nation from defaulting on its loans.
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Schatz Calls Out Supposed Conservatives for Hurting Economy, Middle- Class Families Posted on 10/13/13
Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz took to the Senate floor to denounce so-called “conservatives” for their willingness to put our economy and middle-class families at risk by shutting down the government and threatening to allow America to default.
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Schatz: “House Republicans’ Supposed Compromise Is Not A Compromise At All” Posted on 10/07/13
On Saturday, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz took to the Senate floor to call out House Republicans for their unprecedented and reckless refusal to vote on a Continuing Resolution without unrelated amendments.
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