HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers are advancing a measure that would take away the governor’s ability to eliminate budgeted programs.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee passed the bill 8-1 Monday, moving it to a vote before the full Senate.
It would prohibit the governor from killing programs by restricting their funding. For example, Gov. Linda Lingle ended the state’s universal child health care program in October 2008 by eliminating its funding.
Lingle’s administration opposes the bill.
Chief of Staff Barry Fukunaga says the governor has a responsibility to ensure that the budget is balanced and expenditures made prudently.
Fukunaga says it’s impractical for lawmakers to vote on spending any time the state faces budget shortfalls.