Lingle doubts
budget’s viabilityLawmakers could face
a special session if they are
unable to balance the budget
Gov. Linda Lingle said she may call the state Legislature back into special session this summer if she feels lawmakers' version of the budget cannot be balanced.
Yesterday, Lingle said the state's $3.6 billion budget will not balance because legislators have included public employee pay raises. The average 8 percent raise for the Hawaii Government Employees Association was singled out by Lingle as a budget-buster.
"They have made arbitrary and capricious decisions; it is going to lead to a degrading of public services.
"Just because they can get through this year, just because they can pay these pay raises at such a high level doesn't mean they will be able to do it over time," Lingle said.
The Republican governor said she would wait until the Legislature approves its version of the budget tomorrow before deciding whether a special session is needed.
"I am concerned about the budget decisions, and if I am not able to manage the budget legislation that restricts my ability to manage the budget, it will be a more serious issue.
"We will review their budget, we will create a financial plan for them, and then I will see if I have the ability to manage the budget.
"If not, we will come back into special session," Lingle said.
Democratic leaders, however, said they doubted a summer legislative session would cause them to change their minds.
"Just because we differ, doesn't mean she should call us back into session," Senate President Robert Bunda said.
The majority leader, Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, agreed, saying that while Lingle has the legal ability to force the Legislature back into a special session for up to 30 days, "there is a question of what would be accomplished.
"Obviously she and the Legislature don't agree, but there is no mechanism that can force either party to agree to each other's position," said Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua).
Sen. Fred Hemmings, GOP leader, agreed with Lingle that a special session may be needed.
"When they (Democrats) are confronted with the reality that many basic human services will be threatened, they may reconsider what they have done," said Hemmings (R, Lanikai-Waimanalo).
Lingle said she is worried the Democrats have put money into the budget to pay for salary increases for public-school teachers and blue-collar workers, but the two unions have not yet reached agreements with the state.
"They are taking over collective bargaining. They have taken over an executive function by saying in advance what they are going to pay the unions.
"And they are saying if it doesn't add up, the governor will have to figure it out over the next year," Lingle said.
"We are passing a budget without any knowledge of what the final tab is for the public employees," Hemmings agreed.
Lingle warned that her displeasure will not be without repercussions: She repeated her plan to actively campaign against Democrats in the fall election.
"I have tried to treat the Legislature in a respectful fashion, I have put things in writing and I have been open with them and they continue to play games, and the public is seeing right through it," Lingle said.
"When this session is over and I have an opportunity to explain to the public how their financial decisions are going to throw us into a serious deficit, I think the public will be very upset," Lingle said.
Hemmings said the budget will become a political issue in the fall elections.
"It is obvious that the budget is being used as a political vehicle rather than for prudent fiscal management," Hemmings said.
Bunda, however, said Lingle is the one having problems.
"I sense a frustration from the governor," said Bunda (D, Kaena, Wahiawa-Pupukea).