Letter: $50M for technology campus waste of money

I could not believe that the Legislature approved $50 million to begin development of an approximately $400 million First Responder Technology Campus on 243 acres of land in central Oahu (“$50M budget item at center of transparency debate,” Star-Advertiser, June 4). State Rep. Amy Perruso should be commended for opposing this unwarranted development and boondoggle in her district. Kudos also to the Star-Advertiser editors for urging that the governor veto this unwise project (“Veto $50 million for tech campus,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, June 6).

The funds would be much better spent on truly affordable housing and on improved or expanded services to at-risk populations. It would be interesting to know why state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz inserted this $50 million line item into the budget in the hectic hours of wrangling before the Legislature adjourned.

John Witeck

Kamehameha Heights

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