Budget rushed
to governorThe early vote on the $3.6 billion
bill reflects conflicts between
Lingle and Democrats
State lawmakers, using harsher tones than usual, sped a $3.6 billion state budget to Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday.
Usually one of the last bills to be passed each year, the budget has been an early battleground this year for Republican Lingle and Democrats in the House and Senate.
Senate Ways and Means Chairman Brian Taniguchi (D, Moiliili-Manoa), speaking on the Senate floor, complained that Lingle has failed to negotiate fairly.
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"I find it unfortunate that now that the governor feels she is not getting her way with this budget, she has resorted to name-calling and has actually threatened the Legislature with retaliation come election time," Taniguchi said.
He added that Lingle singled out the estimated 8 percent raises won by the Hawaii Government Employees Association and "has attempted to fool the public because she says she can change arbitrated awards because she feels like it."
The Legislature's version of the budget represents a $15 million, or less than 0.5 percent, reduction to the budget submitted by Lingle in December. Lingle was not available for comment after the budget vote.
After the budget cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate and House, it was rushed to Lingle's office for her review. She has 10 days to either approve or veto the budget. Democrats forced the bill through early this year so they could act on her possible veto without having to come back in a special session in an election year.
Republican leader Sen. Fred Hemmings (Lanikai-Waimanalo) called the timing of the budget bill political.
Republican lawmakers in the House attempted but failed to delay yesterday's vote. They said they wanted more time to study the document.
"I am working very hard to understand this bill," said Rep. Lynn Finnegan (R, Moanalua Gardens-Lower Pearlridge). "Right now, I don't feel comfortable with the information that I have."
The GOP lawmakers said the bill contains moving parts, in reference to the two public-worker unions that have yet to reach agreement with the state on pay raises.
House Minority Leader Galen Fox (R, Ala Moana-Waikiki) said in his eight years in the Legislature, this is the earliest the budget bill has been completed. He said lawmakers should take the extra time to give members the opportunity to study the bill so they will know what they are voting on.
"Usually we have our backs against the wall, and we unfortunately don't have time to really review the bill and understand it," he said.
House Finance Chairman Dwight Takamine (D, Kawaihae-Hilo) said Republicans are represented on the committee to get insight and background on the budget.
But Rep. Mark Moses (R, Kalaeloa-Royal Kunia), a member of the Finance Committee, said House and Senate budget chairmen work out their decisions beforehand and that committee members can barely keep up with the changes announced during the public meetings.
"We turn the pages as fast as we can and write in the numbers," he said. "We don't have any say, we can't ask questions."
Moses voted for the bill but criticized it because he said it will lead to deficits in future years, echoing Lingle's claim that the HGEA pay raise will bust the budget.
The House voted 43-7 for the budget with one member absent. Those voting no were Finnegan, Fox, Chris Halford (R, Kihei-Keoneoio), Colleen Meyer (R, Ahuimanu-Laie), Guy Ontai (R, Waipahu-Mililani), David Pendleton (R, Kaneohe-Olomana) and Bud Stonebraker (R, Kalama Valley-Hahaione Valley).
The Senate voted 23-2 for the budget. Senators voting no were Sam Slom (R, Diamond Head-Kalama Valley) and Gordon Trimble (R, Kapahulu-Iwilei).
