Republican Gov. Linda Lingle went on the attack yesterday, charging that the Democratic-controlled state Legislature is not being truthful in dealing with the state budget deficits.

In an afternoon news conference in her Capitol office, Lingle said it was time for the Legislature to “;support our efforts to reduce government expenses on a consistent basis and yet provide better public service.”;

“;We also have the opportunity to have honesty in state budgeting, to know that the legislators are being truthful, transparent and upfront,”; Lingle said.

“;Up to this point the House has been none of those things. They have not been upfront in their budgeting. They have used shibai tactics to hide the fact that they can't balance the budget,”; Lingle said.

The governor defended her position to delay state income tax refunds until the new fiscal year in July, a move that transfers $275 million in debt to the next year's state budget. If the refunds are not delayed, Lingle said, the state would have to cut $275 million in services between now and June 30.

Lawmakers have said Lingle was “;kicking the can down the road”; and failing to prepare a workable budget.

“;Where would you get the $275 million?”; she asked. “;Where would the money come from, what would you cut in order to get the money?”;

Rep. Marcus Oshiro, House Finance Committee chairman, said Lingle said last year that she would not “;defer paying bills and obligations to the next governor.”;

“;And now she is doing exactly what she said she wouldn't be doing,”; Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Poamoho) said.

“;It sounds like the governor is having a bad week. I do feel for her, but the truth is we passed out a balanced budget,”; Oshiro said, adding that the House version of the state budget trimmed $60 million from Lingle's spending plan.

Lingle had said the House budget made cuts in areas that could not legally be removed, so the budget was not honest.

For instance, Lingle said the House took out budgeted money from her office to fund required vacation payouts for workers who will leave the Governor's Office with her in December. It also removed $100,000 in transition funds from the governor's budget.

“;This is not possible; it is shibai,”; Lingle complained.

Oshiro said the Governor's Office will just have to find the money by restricting funding for other things in the office.

“;Eight years ago when (Gov. Ben) Cayetano was leaving office, we cut back on discretionary funds. She can pay it; she will just have to find it elsewhere,”; Oshiro said.