A lawmaker says he has an idea to restore some Furlough Fridays beginning this week.

State Rep. K. Mark Takai plans to rewrite a bill that would fast-track the movement of $50 million from the state's emergency rainy day fund to the general fund, which the governor can tap for public schools.

“;I don't want the fact that the Legislature has not taken action to be the reason why we don't end furloughs,”; he said. “;The intent of the proposal is really to make it crystal clear we want this thing settled now.”;

This Friday is one of nine more furlough days for public schools this school year.

Gov. Linda Lingle has proposed using $50 million from the rainy day fund to restore 12 furlough days—including five this year—and converting 12 planning days into school days.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association said one of the main points of disagreement continues to be over requiring teachers to give up their planning days for instructional days.

Takai (D, Newtown-Waimalu) plans to strip Senate Bill 404 and rewrite the legislation to move the rainy day funds.

The bill's current version has already been voted on twice, and a rewritten version would need only two more votes to send it to the governor as early as Thursday—one by the House to amend it and one by the Senate to pass it.

In contrast, writing a new bill to do the same thing would take at least two months, he said.

Since the Legislature cannot get involved in the bargaining process, Takai said, his proposal “;is the most sensible, practical and expedient option we have right now.”;

He acknowledged that the school board, teachers union and Governor's Office would still have to come to an agreement before schools can reopen.

He added those parties have not had a discussion in the last couple of weeks.

“;That's unacceptable,”; he said. “;They need to solve this problem.”;