Groups want special session to cancel Furlough Fridays - Hawaii...

Sen. Will Espero (D, Ewa-Kapolei-Ewa Beach) said yesterday that other "legislators are willing to commit to a special session if there's an agreed-upon plan that everyone can live with."

I appreciate Espero's drive. But he is not going the distance. Guess what Will? We don't care if everyone agrees with a plan. Just get the kids back in school on Fridays, immediately.

Meanwhile, Gov. Linda Lingle says she regrets signing off on Furlough Fridays for public schools but opposes calling a special session.

Russell Pang, chief of media relations for the governor, said yesterday she believes it is too soon to take action because "we're only three months into the fiscal year, so we need to get a broader picture of how the fiscal year is shaping up."

Oh, I see. Lingle regrets signing off on the deal to cheat the future of their education, but really does not want to do anything meaningful about it, because "it is too early in the fiscal year."

This is the same Governor who pretends to be a Republican, but then adopts the Democrat plan to invent a fake Indian tribe of 1/64th "Hawaiians" just so that she can be "liked."

You're all over the map, Lingle. People who possess leadership, demonstrate that leadership when exigent circumstances required, as here.

Instead, you demonstrate a talk out one side of your mouth "let's do something" but then on the other side "we not going do nothing because too early in the fiscal year."

Each day you stall, Lingle, and fail to take immediate corrective action, you contribute to the Hawaii Democrat plan to destroy the Republican Party of Hawaii, for free.

If there is a special session and the furlough plan is thrown out, it still begs the question of where the $ is going to come from to pay for it. Is the state awash in new tax revenue it didn't have before? In fact, after some time has passed now it will most likely be shown that the state has even LESS tax revenue than had previously been projected. Those pushing for this session may be opening a can of worms.

Again, WHO THE F--- IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE MASSIVE BUDGET CRISIS IF THE FRIDAY FURLOUGHS ARE CANCELLED?????? MOST DEFINITELY "NO TAX INCREASES"!!!! FIRE SOME BOE PERSONNEL AND START CHARGING TUITION!!!! Governor Linda Lingle, stay the course!!!!

Hiloan wrote:

Again, WHO THE F--- IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE MASSIVE BUDGET CRISIS IF THE FRIDAY FURLOUGHS ARE CANCELLED?????? MOST DEFINITELY "NO TAX INCREASES"!!!! FIRE SOME BOE PERSONNEL AND START CHARGING TUITION!!!! Governor Linda Lingle, stay the course!!!!

I agree with your lay off the BOE folks, but that does not go far enough. There are a whole bunch of DOE folks that should not only be layed off, but should go permanently.

Then there are the HSTA people that did not want to give up their "training days" too.

So, yeah, substantively, you are correct.

But you not seeing the Big Picture: Bottom line is those kids belong in school on Fridays.

Things can be re-arranged. Gutting the HSTA union is one option you did not mention.

But your endorsement of Lingle's "make the kids suffer because the adults can't get their act together" plan is out and out shibai.

Not only that, but if you hate the Hawaii Democrats more than I do, I will suggest that if Lingle stays the course, and stains Aiona, he can pretty much kiss his chance at being our next governor good bye.

Count on it.

Right now, even the stinky hippy Neil is looking good.

Furloughs was Linda Lingles Idea. It is her fault that kids are being locked out of school. Lingle tried to put the blame on everyone else but it is YOUR fault Linda Lingle. Now with a chance to correct her mistake she will not agree to a special session. WHY? I believe because she still believes her furlough plan will save the state money. But all her plan did was throw Hawaii's whole economy into turmoil. IMPEACH LINGLE NOW. Also IMPEACH any Legislators who don't want a speacial session.

It is a waste of time to call a session to restore furlough Fridays unless the legislature has "found" some money they forgot to account for. Simply passing a bill saying furlough Fridays are restored doesn't cut it, it goes back to finding the dollars.
My fear is that this very vocal minority of parents are going to push the legislature into making bad decisions just to appease them.

These "concerned parents" are wasting time and money just because they have to watch their own kids for a day. Next time use birth control.

I'm all for a special session...IF those parents too busy to take care of their own kids are going to pay for the special session out of their own pockets.
And, as stated by Chris, they don't cry and whine when the special session "discovers" that projections were far too optimistic, and more cuts must be instituted.

We are now just one step away from changing child labor laws. Think about it - we've sent the message that their education doesn't mean squat. So, we could have kids going back to factories since they won't be smart enough to get into college anyway, plus we don't want idle hands getting into trouble. Maybe Nike could open a plant here!

its about time the legislature got off their fat butts and did something besides voting themselves a raise,most of the kids kinda enjoy it,just cut down on all these holidays the schools have,stick to the federal holidays,get rid of kam day,kuhio day,may day, and a couple more----NO WE CAN'T DO THAT AND WE CAN'T LISTEN TO THE POPULATION,LIKE CUTTING THE FAT AT THE TOP

I agree education is important, but i don't want my taxes increased. Especially since I have never benefited from the public school system and this includes my kids. Why don't the parents who want their kids in school cough up the extra cash and pay the teachers?

Chris wrote:

If there is a special session and the furlough plan is thrown out, it still begs the question of where the $ is going to come from to pay for it. Is the state awash in new tax revenue it didn't have before? In fact, after some time has passed now it will most likely be shown that the state has even LESS tax revenue than had previously been projected. Those pushing for this session may be opening a can of worms.

You got it. I know the teachers are willing to do their part, but what about every other state worker that has sacraficed something in this economic downturn? If restoring teaching days on prep days is not enough, then a pay cut equivalent to the balance of furlough days should be next. If they legislate to fund education, they will be opening more than a can of worms.

It's so funny parents and people blame the governor and the legislature for this mess. They just don't get the fact the state has a financial crunch, and that it's the BOE/DOE's job to handle the administrative issues of education.

None of these people want to attack the source of the problem. They just want more money thrown at it.

Well, sorry folks. It's the BOE/DOE who need to get off their butts and do something. About time they do what they're PAID to do instead of crying like a spoiled child who can't buy his favorite CD.

Lingle is doing her job at being fiscally responsible. I applaud her for that.

Parents NEED to get INVOLVED with their kids studies to "bring long-term solutions" for their children's education. The child does not have to stop learning because there is no school. Why do you think they call it "homework". Instead of your kids running around f-ing off on these furlough days, why don't you make sure they are continuing some of their studies? The teacher is NOT the one responsible for insuring that your kid does his studies, you are! Your kid should not need a teacher present to read or add! You should be attempting to help YOUR kid learn even if there is no school. BE MORE RESPONSIBLE for your own kid!

Feel the pain!!

F it wrote:

Parents NEED to get INVOLVED with their kids studies to "bring long-term solutions" for their children's education. The child does not have to stop learning because there is no school. Why do you think they call it "homework". Instead of your kids running around **** off on these furlough days, why don't you make sure they are continuing some of their studies? The teacher is NOT the one responsible for insuring that your kid does his studies, you are! Your kid should not need a teacher present to read or add! You should be attempting to help YOUR kid learn even if there is no school. BE MORE RESPONSIBLE for your own kid!

I agree. If parents can spend so much energy and time campaigning, they can divert it to helping their children at home. Create homework and help them polish their writing, reading and math skills. Those are the core subjects.
I also wonder if the haole gang leader from Kailua out to taint the governor. Is her husband the politician Shatz(sp)?

BEGINS AT HOME wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree. If parents can spend so much energy and time campaigning, they can divert it to helping their children at home. Create homework and help them polish their writing, reading and math skills. Those are the core subjects.
I also wonder if the haole gang leader from Kailua out to taint the governor. Is her husband the politician Shatz(sp)?

You mean the poor suffering private worker parents who have been layed off and/or furloughed from their jobs in this tough economy are now to give up a portion of their valuable paycheck which they use to feed and house their family to help educate their children?

These parents should wake up and read the headlines. They cry when their taxes are raised. They cry when they gotta take care of their kids. They cry when their gas and electricity bill goes up. Can't they see that everyone is suffering?

Try and take their "protest" to the latest victims -- the employees of Maui Land and Pine. Cry for them...they won't have any money to pay for food and rent. Then look into the mirror and see how good your situation is compared to theirs.

STW - Stop The Whining!

BEGINS AT HOME wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree. If parents can spend so much energy and time campaigning, they can divert it to helping their children at home. Create homework and help them polish their writing, reading and math skills. Those are the core subjects.
I also wonder if the haole gang leader from Kailua out to taint the governor. Is her husband the politician Shatz(sp)?

no - her husband is the Complex Area Superintendent (DOE) Steven Schatz (ironic, isn't it?).

you are thinking of his brother, Brian Schatz, the politician.

vegas girl wrote:

I agree education is important, but i don't want my taxes increased. Especially since I have never benefited from the public school system and this includes my kids. Why don't the parents who want their kids in school cough up the extra cash and pay the teachers?

Its not called a "public" education for nothing you dolt! Public means its open to the everyone, even those who cannot afford to pay any tuition. You don't want your taxes increased? Tough, its going to happen and you know why? Because our legislators, Republican and Democrat alike are being absolutely pounded by parents of public school kids who realize just what a dumb idea the furloughs are, and how this wonderful "solution" thought up by Linda Lingle and the BOE is going to impact on the educational achievement of their kids. The special sesson is coming, revenue will be found, and the legislators know that they do not want to be known as the legislator who voted against our kids, against public education, and against our future, taxes be damn, going into an election year next year.