The governor, tweeted
By B.J. Reyes
Gov. Linda Lingle today announced her long-awaited plan to furlough state workers three days a month in an effort to realize $688 million in savings toward balancing the state budget.
Look for a full story by Richard Borreca in tomorrow’s Star-Bulletin.
For those that want a quick synopsis of her comments, in 140-character-or-less bites, here ya go (read from the bottom up):
- Lee: Im very assured that PACOM has Hawaii protected. “That’s all I’m allowed to say.”
- Lingle defers question about N. Korea situation to Gen. Robert Lee
- Lingle: Furloughed workers need to be wary of ethical restraints when looking for additional jobs
- Lingle: I won’t be able to give as much to charity; the amount I save will be impacted.
- Lingle: This is a huge pay cut for state executives, who already took a 5 percent pay cut.
- Lingle: At this point, we’re trying to stay very open-minded, but be very prudent.
- Lingle: Layoffs under her authority would be about 2,500. Dept. of Education and Univ. of Hawaii would have to come up with rest
- Lingle: To prevent furloughs, state anda unions would have to agree on $688 million in savings in negotiations.
- Lingle: If court rules against furloughs, layoff plan would be implemetned as quickly as possible.
- Lingle: “I want to emphasize, this is temporary. …We need to make adjustments now so we don’t get in the same amount of trouble as Calif.”
- Lingle: “You can’t do everything you used to do.”
- Lingle: “Our highest priority was to maintain highest qualoity of public services.”
- Lingle: Next negotiating sessions witrh unions is set for Monday
- Lingle: Under the law, I have the authority to implement furloughs as well as layoffs.
- Lingle: The lack of motion for injunction could indicate hope/optimism for a settlement in union negotiations.
- Lingle on union legal challenge: I will abide by what court says. Unions have not filed motion for injunction.
- Lingle: Lege can call itself into special session if it wants. She has no inclination to call them back.
- Lingle: “Public has given me a tremendous amount of support for the efforts we’ve undertaken.”
- Lingle: Should the economy improve, we will re-examine the furloughs
- Lingle on congressional delegation letter: “I don’t think they have a afull understanding of the situation.”
- Lingle: Furloughs are being implemented in a very “even-handed” manner. No one is giving special treatment.
- Lingle: If a court rules against our furlough plan, we will be required to have mandatory layoffs.
- Lingle on legal challenges: We will make our case when appropriate. … The worst case option rules against furlough = layoffs.
- Lingle: State Web site will have furlough details later today.
- Lingle: still finalizing schedule for departments that have to remain open 24/7
- Lingle: Some offices to take alternative furlough days, i.e., State Art Museum will close on Mondays.
- Lingle: Some agencies will stagger schedules and expand hours.
- Lingle: Tried to pick days when there are fewer transactions, i.e., the Friday after Thanksgiving
- Lingle: To make it as simple as possible – majority of depts will close 3 fridays each month
- Lingle: “This is not something I want to do, it’s something I have to do.”
- Lingle: Why furloughs? Allows public srvcs to continue without disruption. Avoida layoffs. Employees maintain benefits
- http://twitpic.com/7r5ip – Lingle at the news conf
- Lingle: furloughs = $688 million in savings. Labor costs make up 70 percent of state operating budget.
- Lingle starts with review of state’s fiscal condition
- http://twitpic.com/7r3md – Media throng @ gov news conf
- Political Radar will tweet from governor’s news conference on state furlough plans, 1:30 p.m.
