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In an email and video message sent to state employees Tuesday afternoon, Gov. David Ige said there’s no need for pay cuts or furloughs of public workers in the state right now.
“There is no immediate need to consider pay cuts or furloughs. This is the last thing that anyone wants to do, and I’m hopeful that we will find ways to narrow the budget gap. I want to assure you that we are exploring every option, including looking at federal sources of support,” Ige said in the video.
“This week the Hawaii State Legislature went back into back into session, and I’m working with legislators to come up with a plan to address the budget shortfall,” Ige added.
Speaking during a live interview on Hawaii News Now Tuesday evening, Ige said, “We got the report for revenues for the month of May, and certainly although there was a significant decrease, we still have the cash available for the state to continue operations without taking pay cuts at this time.”
In reaction, HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said, “On behalf of all public educators Hawaii, I want to thank the governor and our state legislators who have worked so hard during this very trying time to find a way to fund government workers without exacerbating this crisis.
“All government workers in the state who are serving the public during this pandemic need to continue working without furloughs or pay cuts that could further damage the economy,” Rosenlee added. “In this time of need, we all must be there for each other and that is how we will get out of this crisis.”
Last month, Ige’s budget officials told public-sector union leaders that state shortfalls could prompt pay reductions of up two 20 percent for state employees, including teachers, starting as early as May 1. They later pushed back the potential start of the cuts to June 1.
Over the weekend and Monday, hundreds of teachers, parents, and other citizens submitted testimony to state lawmakers as the Legislature reconvened to consider ways to stabilize the state budget without cutting employees' pay.
Earlier Tuesday, U.S. House Democrats released a more than $3 trillion opening bid for the next coronavirus stimulus package, a bill designed to bolster state governments, increase widespread testing, extend unemployment insurance, and expand vote-by-mail ahead of the November election. The proposal includes roughly $1 trillion for states and cities whose budgets have been walloped by fallout from the virus, funds that would help avoid layoffs, pay cuts or furloughs for public workers.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ige told reporters, “We continue to advocate with the federal government for additional aid to states. On the call this morning with the other governors, it continues to be the number one issue that each and every state, whether governed by a Democratic governor or a Republican governor. Aid to states to allow us to fill lost revenue, to allow us to fill budget gaps is the number one issue that each and every state across the country is facing and we will continue to advocate for that.”
In Washington, D.C, Tuesday, public health officials said a coronavirus vaccine is not expected before the fall.
Asked by HNN if Hawaii public schools wil reopen in the fall and if parents should expect staggered schedules if schools do open, Ige said, “We are convening on those issues. In fact, I met with the superintendent and the mayors to talk about reopening of schools, both public and private. We are working on guidance and we will be issuing what school reopening in the fall very soon.”