The Honolulu Star Bulletin wrote:
"The state's financial picture is worse than thought, according to the Lingle administration, which said today it has discovered a clerical error that mistakenly boosted the state's general fund revenues by $44 million."
The Honolulu Advertiser wrote:
"Gov. Linda Lingle today announced that there was an overstatement of general fund revenues for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2009 (FY09). Actual general fund revenues were found to be $44 million below the amount reported by the state's Financial and Accounting Management Information System (FAMIS)."
Both newspapers quoted Governor Lingle's comments:
"With the recent discovery of the recording error, we have an additional $36.8 million shortfall, and the need for immediate solutions to close the budget gap becomes more urgent than ever," Lingle said. "The administration is committed to continue working toward this goal."
I guess the question is, "What happens next?" I'm afraid to think what the options are. I haven't heard anything yet but it can't be good.
How did things get so bad? Where did we go wrong? It seems not long ago everyone was bragging about how good the economy was. How Hawaii was the leader on so many fronts. We were giving away tax credits and corporate incentives. We seemed to be so "rich" and now, we are so "poor." In fact, some would argue that we could be facing bankruptcy. If we were a business, we would be done.
So, where do we go from here? More furloughs and layoffs? Tax increases? More sacrifices by the common folks? Whatever it is, I can assure you that it won't be pretty. We will be asked to pay the price for years of wasteful spending and a growing government. Is this fair? I think not!! God bless us all.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hawaii Teachers Union Officials Stick by Friday-furloughs Decision
I was going to blog on another topic today, but after reading yesterday's article (with the same title as this post) in the Honolulu Advertiser, I decided to voice my serious concerns. Am I the only one that feels that Hawaii's children are being left behind? By the looks of the online comments, I don't think so. In fact, I believe that the vast majority of this State is disappointed with the actions of the Administration and the HSTA. What are they doing? Why are they not acting in the best interest of the children. Here are some excerpts, along with my comments, from the article:
"Hawaii State Teachers Association president Wil Okabe said that opting for furloughs on Fridays makes sense because of the substantial savings that will be gained and the need to be consistent with potential furlough days chosen by other state worker unions."
Makes sense? How does this make sense? Oh, I see. It is about savings and the need to be consistent with the other State worker unions. Childrens' education takes a back seat.
"The union and state could have prevented the loss of instructional days if they had scheduled furloughs on holidays and teacher planning days."
Now this makes sense!!
"Okabe added that most of a school's administrative or support staff are members of two other unions — the Hawaii Government Employee Association or the United Public Workers. If the HSTA had chosen a furlough day other than Friday, it would have made for a logistical nightmare, Okabe said."
Logistical nightmare versus our childrens' education. I would say that this is a no-brainer. I guess the HSTA president feels otherwise. We pay a lot of money for salaries of employees that are tasked with managing logistics. Nightmare? What about the fact that our children will be losing out? That's a nightmare.
"Marie Laderta, the state's chief negotiator, said the DOE did not have to schedule furloughs on instructional days. It could have opted for teacher pay cuts or made use of holidays, she said."
Then why did the State allow this to happen? Doesn't the State have to agree to the negotiated contract? Please stop the finger pointing, Ms. Laderta.
"Garrett Toguchi, chairman of the state Board of Education, said that the use of teacher planning days and professional development days were discussed, but ultimately those at the bargaining table decided against using them as furloughs."
Why??? Please tell us why!
"Toguchi said taking away the six noninstructional days from teachers would mean less time to plan curriculum and create strategies for boosting achievement."
Less time to plan curriculum and create strategies for 17 less days of instruction? Come on Mr. Toguchi. Do you really expect us to believe this?
" 'We demand a lot from our educators and put a lot of pressure on them to raise student achievement, raise test scores. ... Our educators need that time to get training, do planning and identify the needs of their students,' Toguchi said."
So are you saying that the way to raise student achievement and test scores is to reduce the number of instructional days for the students? Is that what you are saying? If so, please explain how you plan to do that.
"Okabe said the HSTA had considered using noninstructional days as furlough days, but those days would not have resulted in the kinds of cost savings that the state Department of Education was looking for."
So the HSTA and the Department of Education, who are tasked with educating the children of our State, have taken the position that cost savings is more important than education. This is quite evident by the quote of Mr. Okabe.
The actions of the leadership of this State is shameful. What is even more shameful is the lack of opposition from our legislators. Other than some meaningless comments, nothing is being done to address this very serious issue. Let's all band together and call for immediate action by our leaders. We must not let this happen to our children. Call your legislators, both local and State. Let them know how you feel. We don't have much time. Thank you.
"Hawaii State Teachers Association president Wil Okabe said that opting for furloughs on Fridays makes sense because of the substantial savings that will be gained and the need to be consistent with potential furlough days chosen by other state worker unions."
Makes sense? How does this make sense? Oh, I see. It is about savings and the need to be consistent with the other State worker unions. Childrens' education takes a back seat.
"The union and state could have prevented the loss of instructional days if they had scheduled furloughs on holidays and teacher planning days."
Now this makes sense!!
"Okabe added that most of a school's administrative or support staff are members of two other unions — the Hawaii Government Employee Association or the United Public Workers. If the HSTA had chosen a furlough day other than Friday, it would have made for a logistical nightmare, Okabe said."
Logistical nightmare versus our childrens' education. I would say that this is a no-brainer. I guess the HSTA president feels otherwise. We pay a lot of money for salaries of employees that are tasked with managing logistics. Nightmare? What about the fact that our children will be losing out? That's a nightmare.
"Marie Laderta, the state's chief negotiator, said the DOE did not have to schedule furloughs on instructional days. It could have opted for teacher pay cuts or made use of holidays, she said."
Then why did the State allow this to happen? Doesn't the State have to agree to the negotiated contract? Please stop the finger pointing, Ms. Laderta.
"Garrett Toguchi, chairman of the state Board of Education, said that the use of teacher planning days and professional development days were discussed, but ultimately those at the bargaining table decided against using them as furloughs."
Why??? Please tell us why!
"Toguchi said taking away the six noninstructional days from teachers would mean less time to plan curriculum and create strategies for boosting achievement."
Less time to plan curriculum and create strategies for 17 less days of instruction? Come on Mr. Toguchi. Do you really expect us to believe this?
" 'We demand a lot from our educators and put a lot of pressure on them to raise student achievement, raise test scores. ... Our educators need that time to get training, do planning and identify the needs of their students,' Toguchi said."
So are you saying that the way to raise student achievement and test scores is to reduce the number of instructional days for the students? Is that what you are saying? If so, please explain how you plan to do that.
"Okabe said the HSTA had considered using noninstructional days as furlough days, but those days would not have resulted in the kinds of cost savings that the state Department of Education was looking for."
So the HSTA and the Department of Education, who are tasked with educating the children of our State, have taken the position that cost savings is more important than education. This is quite evident by the quote of Mr. Okabe.
The actions of the leadership of this State is shameful. What is even more shameful is the lack of opposition from our legislators. Other than some meaningless comments, nothing is being done to address this very serious issue. Let's all band together and call for immediate action by our leaders. We must not let this happen to our children. Call your legislators, both local and State. Let them know how you feel. We don't have much time. Thank you.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Luggage Boycott Needed Immediately
According to a USA Today article this morning,
In the first six months of this year, the airlines collected $3.8 billion for checking bags, canceling or rebooking flights, carrying pets and assigning seats, the latest data from the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics show. That's up from $2.3 billion for the first half of 2008.
That is $1.5 billion dollars more than the same period last year. And this is only for 6 months. Unbelievable. The article further states,
Checked-bag fees are the most lucrative source of extra money. Revenue from them was $669 million in April, May and June alone, up 276% over what they brought in the same time last year. In the first six months of the year, airlines collected $1.24 billion in baggage fees.
Okay ladies and gentlemen. It is time to take a stand. For the next 6 months, let's not check any bags through the airlines. Unless, of course, they are kind enough to allow checked bags at no cost. For all those carriers that insist on charging $10, $15, $20 and even $25 per bag, let's send them the message and reduce their ridiculous profits for the next 6 months. I think they need to realize that we don't deserve to be treated this way.
It is time for the passengers to have a voice. The airlines are becoming like the credit card companies. They prey on the very people that create their success. I think that it is disrespectful for airlines to do this to their customers, but as long we allow them, they will continue. Effective immediately, no more checked luggage. Hand carries only. For the next 6 months or until the airlines get the message. Safe travels.
In the first six months of this year, the airlines collected $3.8 billion for checking bags, canceling or rebooking flights, carrying pets and assigning seats, the latest data from the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics show. That's up from $2.3 billion for the first half of 2008.
That is $1.5 billion dollars more than the same period last year. And this is only for 6 months. Unbelievable. The article further states,
Checked-bag fees are the most lucrative source of extra money. Revenue from them was $669 million in April, May and June alone, up 276% over what they brought in the same time last year. In the first six months of the year, airlines collected $1.24 billion in baggage fees.
Okay ladies and gentlemen. It is time to take a stand. For the next 6 months, let's not check any bags through the airlines. Unless, of course, they are kind enough to allow checked bags at no cost. For all those carriers that insist on charging $10, $15, $20 and even $25 per bag, let's send them the message and reduce their ridiculous profits for the next 6 months. I think they need to realize that we don't deserve to be treated this way.
It is time for the passengers to have a voice. The airlines are becoming like the credit card companies. They prey on the very people that create their success. I think that it is disrespectful for airlines to do this to their customers, but as long we allow them, they will continue. Effective immediately, no more checked luggage. Hand carries only. For the next 6 months or until the airlines get the message. Safe travels.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Special Session for the Keiki?
I posed the following question to Senator Hooser on his Facebook page:
Senator, is the 17-day HSTA furlough a done deal? Is there a chance that it won't happen? I understand that the Governor has to approve the ratification. Is that true. Thank you.
His response was:
The furlough is a done deal unless additional funding can be secured. Our options seem to be limited to using most/all of the money now in the Hurricane fund or raising taxes. The only near term way that I can see to come up with the immediate funds needed to stop or reduce the furlough days would be a one day special session to transfer the hurricane money to education. Long term funding would then have to come from a tax increase or even more severe cuts to all other programs...including health and human services. What do you think the public would support? As most I hope know and understand, the legislature's role is limited with regards to collective bargaining and we were not involved in the negotiations or the final agreement at all.
I followed up with:
Is anyone proposing a special session? It seems to me that all options should be explored before the school year gets shortened. I question why the DOE doesn't use the waiver and planning days for the furloughs. This would not affect the kids as much. Just a thought.
He responded with:
A special session normally is not called unless there is pre-agreement between all parties and that includes governor. Do you think the public will support spending the Hurricane Fund to eliminate the teacher furlough days? That is probably the main question.
So the questions to all of you are:
Do you support spending the Hurricane Fund to eliminate the teacher furlough days?
Do you feel that all means have been exhausted and the last resort is to furlough the public school teachers?
I have set up a poll on the top of my blog. Please vote. Thank you.
Senator, is the 17-day HSTA furlough a done deal? Is there a chance that it won't happen? I understand that the Governor has to approve the ratification. Is that true. Thank you.
His response was:
The furlough is a done deal unless additional funding can be secured. Our options seem to be limited to using most/all of the money now in the Hurricane fund or raising taxes. The only near term way that I can see to come up with the immediate funds needed to stop or reduce the furlough days would be a one day special session to transfer the hurricane money to education. Long term funding would then have to come from a tax increase or even more severe cuts to all other programs...including health and human services. What do you think the public would support? As most I hope know and understand, the legislature's role is limited with regards to collective bargaining and we were not involved in the negotiations or the final agreement at all.
I followed up with:
Is anyone proposing a special session? It seems to me that all options should be explored before the school year gets shortened. I question why the DOE doesn't use the waiver and planning days for the furloughs. This would not affect the kids as much. Just a thought.
He responded with:
A special session normally is not called unless there is pre-agreement between all parties and that includes governor. Do you think the public will support spending the Hurricane Fund to eliminate the teacher furlough days? That is probably the main question.
So the questions to all of you are:
Do you support spending the Hurricane Fund to eliminate the teacher furlough days?
Do you feel that all means have been exhausted and the last resort is to furlough the public school teachers?
I have set up a poll on the top of my blog. Please vote. Thank you.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Education Neglect?
Hawaii teachers agree to 17 furlough days — a 7.9% loss in pay
- Honolulu Advertiser
Teachers' contract calls for 7.9 percent pay cut via furloughs
- Honolulu Star Bulletin
This is not an attack on any public school teacher in our state. I admire their work, and I appreciate all that they do for our children. They were put in a tough position yesterday and they did what they had to do. I do not blame the teachers. They were placed between a rock and a hard place. Thank you teachers for all that you do.
My feelings, however, towards the government leaders that have allowed this to happen is quite different. I simply cannot believe that this is even happening. I cannot believe that our state has reached the point that we are now making our children pay for the inefficiencies and irresponsible spending of their government. Are we that short-sighted that we cannot see the harm that this will bring? Are we that blind that we cannot see the impacts that this will have on our children? Come on leaders.
It baffles me how the state makes such a big deal about the mandatory attendance policies for students today. Of course, we must all comply with No Child Left Behind. There must be butts in seats for us to get credit. But, when the state gets in a bind, 17 days of school really is not important anymore. 17 days are a lot of classes. Think about it. That is equal to 3 full weeks, plus 2 more days of school. That is a lot of instructions that won't be given. That is a lot of pages that won't be read. That is a lot of guidance that won't be provided. How will these days be made up? They will have to be made up to meet the requirements. What happens to the seniors that need to "qualify" for graduation? I'm sure someone has figured this out.
What I have not seen yet is any opposition to this shameful act by any of our elected officials. If I missed any, I sincerely apologize. I was hoping to hear at least some opposition to this but as of this posting, I have not heard a thing. A lot has been posted on social networks, blogs and online newspapers, but nothing in the open public. Why? Am I to believe that this will be supported by all of our leaders? I sure hope not.
Next year is an election year. Please remember those that forgot about our children. They don't deserve to be in office. Harsh words? Damn right. This is a serious matter and we must hold our leaders accountable. Our children are our future. What is happening is not acceptable. No Child Left Behind? In Hawaii, it is All Children Left Behind! God help our children.
- Honolulu Advertiser
Teachers' contract calls for 7.9 percent pay cut via furloughs
- Honolulu Star Bulletin
This is not an attack on any public school teacher in our state. I admire their work, and I appreciate all that they do for our children. They were put in a tough position yesterday and they did what they had to do. I do not blame the teachers. They were placed between a rock and a hard place. Thank you teachers for all that you do.
My feelings, however, towards the government leaders that have allowed this to happen is quite different. I simply cannot believe that this is even happening. I cannot believe that our state has reached the point that we are now making our children pay for the inefficiencies and irresponsible spending of their government. Are we that short-sighted that we cannot see the harm that this will bring? Are we that blind that we cannot see the impacts that this will have on our children? Come on leaders.
It baffles me how the state makes such a big deal about the mandatory attendance policies for students today. Of course, we must all comply with No Child Left Behind. There must be butts in seats for us to get credit. But, when the state gets in a bind, 17 days of school really is not important anymore. 17 days are a lot of classes. Think about it. That is equal to 3 full weeks, plus 2 more days of school. That is a lot of instructions that won't be given. That is a lot of pages that won't be read. That is a lot of guidance that won't be provided. How will these days be made up? They will have to be made up to meet the requirements. What happens to the seniors that need to "qualify" for graduation? I'm sure someone has figured this out.
What I have not seen yet is any opposition to this shameful act by any of our elected officials. If I missed any, I sincerely apologize. I was hoping to hear at least some opposition to this but as of this posting, I have not heard a thing. A lot has been posted on social networks, blogs and online newspapers, but nothing in the open public. Why? Am I to believe that this will be supported by all of our leaders? I sure hope not.
Next year is an election year. Please remember those that forgot about our children. They don't deserve to be in office. Harsh words? Damn right. This is a serious matter and we must hold our leaders accountable. Our children are our future. What is happening is not acceptable. No Child Left Behind? In Hawaii, it is All Children Left Behind! God help our children.
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