TMT construction begins Monday 15 July

[TomK]

Using the standard 2.5 multiplier from HART, TMT will cost $3.5B. The current estimate is $2.64B, which means TMT is getting closer.

Hawaii politicians have no direct influence on TMT funding, so there's a big difference between HART and the TMT. There's no way they can raise taxes on everyone to help fund the TMT for example. On the other hand, they do have an indirect influence on the outcome of the TMT, and that's by not enforcing laws.