Here is a brief run down of the wins and losses in the state budget drama: and below is a list of suggestions of ways our state leaders should now come together to brainstorm ways to increase state revenues so that next year we are not again confronted with having to balance the budget by eliminating valuable programs and services.

GOVERNOR LINGLE:

5/8: Today in his "THE KONA BLOG" Aaron Steve indicated his support for Lingle’s vetos of the various tax revenue bills. But I supported the Legislature’s override of those vetos. Now my friend Aaron Stene and I generally share the same concerns and goals and so it is interesting for me to observe why my views diverged from his in supporting or opposing various votes and vetos. For any who are interested here is my explanation:

Although many states are moving towards passage of a civil union bill in some version or another only a handful of states have done so to date. As the Vermont legislature pointed out -when such a bill recently passed in that state -what is particularly important about being one of the first states to have such a law in place is the "civil union wedding tourism" that will immediately follow in the first states to pass such a law.

We as a state are a single canoe out here in the middle of the Pacific. When there are harsh winds and turbulent waters, our survival is in the hands of our leaders who direct the paddling of the canoe. Our state and county workers are busy paddling at their direction. Now when our leaders are in sync coordinating their efforts directing this massive canoe, we successfully pass through these troubled waters and wicked winds over which we have no control.

So now what do we do? How will this state budget drama unfold? Or perhaps the more responsible question is how should this budget drama unfold?

Just pretend you are the sitter watching over two toddlers in a sand box. Probably best to tell the kids, here Lady Lingle and Lucy Legislature, that it is time to compromise.

At this point what is a possible compromise? I suggest as follows:

Earlier this year, when County Council Finance Chairman Dominic Yagong asked Mayor Kenoi if he is in favor of furloughs for County employees as the way to deal with the County’s budget shortfall (furloughs” here means requiring days off to reduce employee salaries). Emphatically Kenoi answered no. He explained something to the effect that the County workforce is already reduced by way of many unfilled positions and cutting productivity and worker pay is not what is in the best interest of the County economy.