Three years ago when times were great, Lingle refused to release $200,000,000 that the legislature allocated for education when we had a $600,000,000 surplus. Now she is closing schools.
The governor sets the agenda. She tried to force furloughs unilaterally until a judge told her she did not have that power. I applaud HSTA for being able to trim down her original demands of 36 furlough days to 17. Voting no would have forced job losses or even a strike.
What can you do? Call Linda Lingle. Her number is (808) 586-0034. She can work with the legislature to borrow from the hurricane fund, raise the excise tax and call for a special session. She did call a special session to ensure the Superferry survived!
If this country valued an educated society, cutting education would not even be an option. If Hawai‘i valued education, closing schools would not be an option. Please participate in furlough demonstrations. Democracy does not work unless everyone gets involved!
