Governor's furlough plan blocked
Issue date: 7/3/09 Section: News
Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto ruled yesterday the Gov. Linda Lingle does not have the authority to order furloughs for state workers.
Last month, Lingle ordered state workers to take three furlough days a month for two years starting at the beginning of the new fiscal year, which was July 1. This was to close the state budget deficit, an estimated $730 million.
Sakamoto determined that furloughs alter the hours and wages of state workers and are subject to collective bargaining granted to by the state Constitution.
However, Lingle does have the authority to restrict state spending at public schools and the university.
Another part of Lingle’s plan was to make spending cuts at the state Department of Education and the University of Hawaii.
If her furlough plan was blocked, Lingle warned that mass layoffs would occur. Lingle and her Cabinet will work through the weekend on how to respond the Sakamoto’s ruling. It was not determined whether she will continue to defend her furlough plans in court.
“I continue to believe that we must approach this unprecedented fiscal challenge with a sense of shared sacrifice in the short-term, while remained focused on our long-term economic future,” Lingle said.
Last month, Lingle ordered state workers to take three furlough days a month for two years starting at the beginning of the new fiscal year, which was July 1. This was to close the state budget deficit, an estimated $730 million.
Sakamoto determined that furloughs alter the hours and wages of state workers and are subject to collective bargaining granted to by the state Constitution.
However, Lingle does have the authority to restrict state spending at public schools and the university.
Another part of Lingle’s plan was to make spending cuts at the state Department of Education and the University of Hawaii.
If her furlough plan was blocked, Lingle warned that mass layoffs would occur. Lingle and her Cabinet will work through the weekend on how to respond the Sakamoto’s ruling. It was not determined whether she will continue to defend her furlough plans in court.
“I continue to believe that we must approach this unprecedented fiscal challenge with a sense of shared sacrifice in the short-term, while remained focused on our long-term economic future,” Lingle said.
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