Gov., Lawmakers Want Teacher Negotiations Reopened

HONOLULU - KITV.com

The governor and some legislative leaders and parents are searching for other solutions including urging teachers to reopen their contract negotiations to come up with something less stressful on students.

It has been almost a week since hundreds of parents and children marched on the state Capitol, urging state to give back 17 classroom days children will lose in each of two years with teachers on furloughs.

Jo Curran is a parent of a 6-year-old public school student. She and other rally organizers said they know they will have to accept some furlough days, but they want a compromise.

"I think that anything at all that gets people back to the table is a really good thing. We don't mind what it is, as long as people are negotiating," Curran said.

Some parents hoped for a special legislative session to raid the state's Hurricane Relief Fund to pay for more classroom time. However, that appears unlikely

"Parents should recognize just calling a special session isn't going to solve this," Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said.

"It is my impression that the houses of the Legislature don't have the votes for a special session," Gov. Linda Lingle said.

During this time of searching for solutions, both the governor and the senate president said a good option would be for the teachers to reopen their negotiations and go for a 5 percent pay cut instead of furloughs.

"Well, certainly a 5 percent pay cut is preferable to taking off so many school days," Lingle said.

"Where the Legislature would be relevant next session is if a 5 percent pay cut is taken, is that we will have to work with the administration to see how we will make up for the deficit," Hanabusa said.

Teachers are taking about an 8 percent pay cut with furloughs. That is where the hurricane fund and other appropriations could make up the difference.

The Senate passed a bill last legislative session that would hike the general excise tax 1 percent. It remains alive because the House did not vote on it. It would exempt items such as medical and food.

The governor said she would veto any such measure.

"I think an increase in the excise tax would be devastating to the business community, especially on top of the increase in unemployment insurance they will start paying next year," Lingle said.

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