From the Star Bulletin Breaking News:
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona says there is no need to call a special legislative session to reduce or eliminate controversial teacher furloughs in Hawaii.
In a statement, Aiona today said a special session would be premature because the revenue picture for the fiscal year that ends June 30 would be unclear. Instead, he says state education and teacher union officials could reopen contract talks to discuss pay cuts or shift furlough days to non-instructional days.
He also said officials could agree to ease the process for parents and school principals to convert waiver and planning days into instructional time.
His comments mirror those of Gov. Linda Lingle and Republican legislators. Aiona intends to run for governor next year.
Why am I not surprised? Lt. Gov. Aiona is following in the footsteps of Gov. Lingle. It would be politically incorrect for him to go against the Governor. Unfortunately, I believe that this position will hurt him in his run for Governor. As I stated in an earlier post, I will not vote for anyone that did not help stop the shameful act of taking away instructional days from our kids. And believe me, tens of thousands of voters share this feeling.
Many are saying that it is too late for a special session. Why is it too late? Why are we stalling? Some legislators have told me that they will not support a special session unless the Governor agrees to it. Why not?
I believe that many of our legislators do not understand the impact that their silence on this issue will have on their bids for re-election. They are taking this way too lightly. People will not forget what happened to our kids. This shameful act has made national news. I saw a piece on ABC News and we really looked bad. This will spark many ex-voters to vote again. This will spark many non-voters to register to vote. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
God help our children!
I think he sends his kids to private schools.
ReplyDeleteWhat these clown politicians don't realize is that what is being done was a result of contract negotiations between the State & the Unions as is required under the Collective Bargaining law. Union members ratified these contracts and now they want to re-negotiate the contracts. If they showed leadership in the beginning, we would not be in this position today. Aiona wants to be governor, Hooser wants to be Lt. Governor and the do-nothings in the legislature want to get re-elected. We are up #$%^ Creek!
ReplyDeleteWhy can't the politicians do something right...instead they sell their souls for whatever (cheap). We need to YELL out loud to get their attention and not let them continue on this collision course because we are continuing to head into something that will not be able to be reversed. It will be bad for all EXCEPT the RICH...
ReplyDeletei just saw that miicheal moore film- it's kind a sad but inspiring as well- a blessing in disguise. the previous post has it right as well; WE NEED TO YELL And stop them from using our kids educational opoortunities as bargaining chips.
ReplyDeletethe MM film is a must see- the connection to government corruption, inepptitude and disregard for the public well being is well presented in the film. it made me want to yell-FUGovenor- we the people better start organizing; if not we are all lost :(
There have been only, what? 3 days so far of furlough friday? In those few days of acting on an amazingly ignorant decision...the state has invited lawsuits that will last into eternity.
ReplyDeleteNow we have a new idiocy (cash tax police) with Bennetʻs little bullet list (similar to Coast Guard rules for Superferry, remember?) This act of bad law will also end up in far worse scenarios than lawsuits which there will also be.
Too bad they donʻt just S T O P. Send the kids back to school. The way it is now, it may cost MORE to END the furlough.
Stupid stupid asses. I wonder if Bennet really passed the bar.
Aiona calls for meeting on Furlough Fridays
ReplyDeleteLt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona is asking representatives of the parties involved in Hawaii's controversial teacher furlough program to meet with him immediately to work out a settlement.
Aiona on Monday sent letters asking for the meeting to state Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto, Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi and Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe.
Aiona is acting governor while Gov. Linda Lingle continues her economic and trade mission in China this week.
He said he wants to pursue possible amendments to a new teacher contract that would allow pay cuts or a shifting of some furlough days to existing non-instructional days.
The contract now requires 17 furlough days this school year, of which three have passed.