The state Legislature is cutting five recess days from its 2010 calendar to both trim expenses and encourage members to focus on the state budget.

Lawmakers have gradually increased the number of recess days from the constitutionally required five days to up to 14 recess days. This year, the session will begin on Jan. 20 and end on April 29.

“;We are shortening the calendar by one week,”; Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said yesterday during an interview.

Rep. Blake Oshiro (D, Aiea-Halawa), House Democratic leader, added that shortening the session should help the 76 legislators remain focused on the state's budget problems.

“;We want people to focus on the major issues and not be distracted,”; Oshiro said.

Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua), who is running for the 1st Congressional District seat in both the special election to replace U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and in the fall race for the 2011-12 congressional term, said she will not step down as Senate president.

“;We have a very effective leadership team and our chairs are more than able to face the issues this year,”; Hanabusa said.

Hanabusa, entering her fourth year as Senate leader, said there are advantages to remaining as Senate president, including “;seeing to the smooth running of the Senate.”;

But Hanabusa acknowledged that the political disadvantage of remaining as the spokesperson for the Senate is she is often faulted for all the Legislature's controversial decisions or actions.

“;Even if a bill has 23 signatures on it, I get tagged with it and get all the irate e-mails,”; Hanabusa acknowledged. “;You tend to be a lightning rod for the entity.”;