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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, June 23, 2014 Contact:           Mayor Caldwell's Press Office, 768-5768                         Georgette Deemer, Deputy Managing Director, 782-9228 (mobile)     Mayor Caldwell returns budget bills to Council unsigned   Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell today returned, without his signature, Bill 11 (2014) CD1 relating to the Legislative Budget; Bill 12 (2014) CD2, FD1 relating to the Executive Operating Budget; and Bill 13 (2014) CD2, FD1 relating to the Executive Capital Budget.  He indicated in a cover letter (here) that his decision to not sign these budget bills is based on an underlying disagreement over the authority of the Council to approve the budgets for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART).    The Mayor pointed to specific sections of Bills 11, 12 and 13 that contain HART-related provisions.   Mayor Caldwell, however, expressed gratitude to the Council for supporting his budget requests in large part.  He also signed and sent to the Council, Bill 14, which authorizes the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes of the City and County of Honolulu.    "I am especially encouraged that the Council supported revenue increases that will allow for sound financial planning in the future and bolster the city's ability to sell its general obligation bonds in a competitive market," said Mayor Caldwell. -END-