# [#]Aloha Friend,
This week Governor Josh Green signed a number of important bills into law, including new measures that strengthen education, combat climate change and move us toward our clean energy goals, and support local agriculture.
Please pitch in a donation if you support Josh’s mission to provide trusted, effective leadership on Hawaii’s biggest challenges. [[link removed]]
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Education
New laws strengthening education in Hawaii include Act 175 which expands access to Pre-K by investing $200 million in general funds, Act 174 which puts more focus on computer science education, Act 173 which expands healthcare access in schools, and Act 172 which addresses the teacher shortage by developing new housing for educators.
“These new laws provide additional support to educate students,” Governor Green said. “With nearly 169,000 students enrolled in Hawaii’s schools during the last school year, we need sound policies and support systems, sufficient funding, and resources for employees to ensure quality teaching and learning. Today’s students are tomorrow’s workers, parents, and leaders, and it's our kuleana to set them up for success.”
Climate and renewable energy
Governor Green also signed several bills into law to combat climate change and move Hawaii towards the goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2045.
“Today we are taking action to build a clean energy future” Governor Green said, "by signing bills that strengthen standards for efficiency, protect our environment, and create more opportunities for collaboration.”
These include Act 226 which establishes long-term goals and helps reduce and ultimately eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii’s transportation system, Act 225 which protects the environment by prohibiting the sale of certain fluorescent lamps to reduce energy waste and mercury pollution, and Act 224 which energy and water savings by supporting product suppliers in bringing more energy-efficient products to market.
Local agriculture
A number of bills signed into law this week also strengthen Hawaii agriculture, support local food production, remove barriers to farming, and protect public health and safety by increasing penalties for pesticide violations.
“The bills being signed today expand the role of agriculture across our islands,” Governor Green said, "which also will enhance farmers’ resiliency and ability to fully use their agriculturally zoned lands."
These include Act 220 which increases penalties for violators of the Hawaii pesticides law, Act 217 which helps farmers combat the damaging effects of certain invasive species in the state, and Act 216 which supports Hawaii coffee growers by supporting the fight against the Coffee Berry Borer and Coffee Leaf Rust.
“Hawaii has more than 1.1 million acres of farmland,” Governor Green said, “ but we continue to import around 85 percent of our food. I want to bring that percentage down to improve our food security, and to do that we have to support local agriculture and make farming easier and less costly in our state.”
Thank you for supporting Josh and for being an important member of Team Green — we will continue to keep you updated in the coming weeks and months.
Mahalo,
Team Green
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Josh Green is a local doctor who has spent his life caring for Hawaii families. As Lt. Governor and state COVID liaison, he helped keep Hawaii safe and informed during the pandemic, leading the effort to vaccinate over a million people, protect our kupuna, and save thousands of lives. Josh is running for governor because he believes Hawaii needs elected leaders we can trust, who care about people.
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