The state budget is in such precarious shape, according to Rep. Ed Case, the next governor will have to consider dropping programs and state workers both. Case tells UH professors
to expect no more moneyThe candidate says the next
governor will face tough decisionsBy Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comCase (D, Manoa) is a candidate for governor in the September Democratic primary election.
"I think you are going to have to let some programs and some personnel go. The question is which ones are core," Case said.
He was speaking before a crowd of about 35 at a University of Hawaii Professional Assembly candidate forum at the UH-Manoa campus.
Case emphasized that he considered education, both higher and lower, to be "core government functions."
Still, he warned, if elected governor he could not promise an increase in funds for the university.
"I am not going to stand here and tell you that the percentage of revenues is going to increase," he said.
"If we can get it there, it would be great. Can we get there? I don't know. It is going to be tough enough to maintain," Case said.
Case is hoping that his campaign for governor will attract supporters who think that a Democrat is more capable of directing change in state government.
"The question is that people want change," he said.
"Despite some attempts by some Republicans to move to the middle, I think Democrats are more representative of people in Hawaii," he said.
But he warned Hawaii voters would oppose a Democrat they believe is not going to change government.
"I think people will vote for a Republican who they think can get the job done, over a Democrat who doesn't think any job needs to be done," Case said.
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