Judge halts furloughs for (HI) state workers

[KamaAina]

Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin

In a court hearing this morning, Sakamoto granted a preliminary injunction against the furloughs ordered for the 15,600 state employees starting this month. The ruling is a victory for the United Public Workers, the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the Hawaii Government Employees Association, which had requested the injunction.

It is not known if state Attorney General Mark Bennett will appeal the decision. Gov. Lingle has said that if the furloughs were blocked she would go ahead with layoffs.

Lingle insists the furloughs of three days a month for the next two years are needed to reduce the state budget by $688 million and keep it balanced.

Unions representing teachers and blue- and white-collar workers argued that Lingle does not have the authority. Permitting her to furlough workers violates their contract agreements with the state, the unions contend.

Read more: http://www.starbulletin.com/news/bulletin/Judge_halts_f...

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And so the game of political chicken continues. The (R) gov, still miffed that that other female offshore (R) got picked and she didn't, obstinately refuses to consider any tax increase, though the Dem-controlled Legislature overrode three of her vetoes. The Leg may yet have to go into a much-loathed special session to clean up this mess.

edit: I have suspected since the beginning that the layoff threat was a heavy-handed attempt to get the unions to drop their legal challenge. We shall see.

[taught_me_patience]

1. Layoffs are the only solution, then. n/t

[ellisonz]

2. We have a $250 million hurricane fund...

...and we can and should increase the general excise tax/paycuts in balance.

Hawaii is playing mini-California.

Abercrombie/Hooser in 2010!

[ellisonz]

3. Looney Tunes Lingle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyqptrupmqQ

[tomm2thumbs]

4. I wonder if someone is going to send the Governor home with a bag of poo.

Or a full poo poo platter.