As for the governor’s furlough plan she expects workers to take a 9% pay loss while she is willing to takes 5%. But this is after her already gotten pay raise so her actual loss is closer to 3%.
I guess she wants a return to the plantation and the Big Five in Hawaii. I guess she wants an increase in the working homeless. I guess she wants to run a government like a business and let the hourly employees carry the burden.
People have forgotten that in Hawaii we have a middle class because of unions not in spite of them. And if you had a boss like the state has, one who relies on threats and ultimatums it would be bankrupt.
Maybe she wants the welfare rolls to grow?
What is she thinking?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
More On By-Laws
I’ve been looking at the changes fin the HSTA By-Laws. My problem with it is that it refers a lot to the “Governance Manual”. What is the “Governance Manual”? Is there a copy available to look at? I’ve looked on the web site but haven’t found it.
If I call HSTA will they give me one? Or will they refer me to the web site like the last time I asked a question?
Last time I asked for a form, I was told it was on the web site. After looking on the web site I couldn’t find it. Every call and email was answered, “it’s on the web site.” Finally after being a pest it seemed to miraculously appear on the web site.
I won’t look for it anymore but I think that it confirms a “no” vote.
If I call HSTA will they give me one? Or will they refer me to the web site like the last time I asked a question?
Last time I asked for a form, I was told it was on the web site. After looking on the web site I couldn’t find it. Every call and email was answered, “it’s on the web site.” Finally after being a pest it seemed to miraculously appear on the web site.
I won’t look for it anymore but I think that it confirms a “no” vote.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Budget?
On KHON 2, the governor said, "To adopt a budget that doesn't realize some labor savings is really ignoring reality."
To that, HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira said, "The governor is the very one who is out of touch with reality. The state clearly has a revenue problem, and the Lingle-Aiona administration has yet to present a sensible idea to move Hawaii forward and stimulate our economy. If the governor thinks that labor cuts alone can sustain a balanced budget through these rough years ahead, she has an unrealistic approach to manage our state finances."
I agree with Randy. The goal should be to stimulate the economy. Government’s role is to create spending. The federal government knows this and is trying to help. Okay I’m no economist but I do remember an econ prof at UH that said during a recession a theory was to input $X million into the economy and that would right it. Of course no one did that but it was a theory put forth by economists then. I think republicans agree that an input of cash into the economy is good but they want their friends (the rich) to have it.
Labor savings will decrease the tax revenues. Less pay equals less spending equals less GET income. Less pay equals less income tax.
Now the governor wants public unions employees to take a pay cut. What has she done during her term about the payroll? Gave principals a @21% raise. (Okay they did move to 12 month but there sure was no criticism about that) Gave UHPA a large long-term raise. (Okay they probably deserved it) Complained that her cabinet members needed a raise. Got a pay raise for her and her cabinet. The legislators got a 36% raise. Now she wants appointed officials to take a 5% pay cut. That would cut her pay to @$117,000. I’m not a math teacher (though I have played one in school) I would take a 5% pay cut after I got a 9% raise.
It really amazes me that when the governor ran for office she talked about the economy. How she would downsize government. Improve education. She has done none of the above. Create a business friendly environment? Ask the super ferry. NFL teams have a quality control coach. The governor needs one now to keep her various statements in sync.
To that, HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira said, "The governor is the very one who is out of touch with reality. The state clearly has a revenue problem, and the Lingle-Aiona administration has yet to present a sensible idea to move Hawaii forward and stimulate our economy. If the governor thinks that labor cuts alone can sustain a balanced budget through these rough years ahead, she has an unrealistic approach to manage our state finances."
I agree with Randy. The goal should be to stimulate the economy. Government’s role is to create spending. The federal government knows this and is trying to help. Okay I’m no economist but I do remember an econ prof at UH that said during a recession a theory was to input $X million into the economy and that would right it. Of course no one did that but it was a theory put forth by economists then. I think republicans agree that an input of cash into the economy is good but they want their friends (the rich) to have it.
Labor savings will decrease the tax revenues. Less pay equals less spending equals less GET income. Less pay equals less income tax.
Now the governor wants public unions employees to take a pay cut. What has she done during her term about the payroll? Gave principals a @21% raise. (Okay they did move to 12 month but there sure was no criticism about that) Gave UHPA a large long-term raise. (Okay they probably deserved it) Complained that her cabinet members needed a raise. Got a pay raise for her and her cabinet. The legislators got a 36% raise. Now she wants appointed officials to take a 5% pay cut. That would cut her pay to @$117,000. I’m not a math teacher (though I have played one in school) I would take a 5% pay cut after I got a 9% raise.
It really amazes me that when the governor ran for office she talked about the economy. How she would downsize government. Improve education. She has done none of the above. Create a business friendly environment? Ask the super ferry. NFL teams have a quality control coach. The governor needs one now to keep her various statements in sync.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Just Vote No!
I have yet to hear anything about what occurred during the HSTA convention.
But what I have been told is if I don’t approve the by-law changes I can be sued. I think this is nonsense. It seems that in the last year everything is secret. Because it is confidential. Because it involves personnel. Because it involves possible legal action.
B!S!
As members we are entitled to the information. But when MBC declares bankruptcy, changes in staff and the fairy tale that we will be informed. Keep an eye on the web site for information. The web site changes like 4 times a year.
Wil Okabe is president. Uncontested. Okay I like Wil and hope he cleans it up. But how is it that so many potential candidates are not on the ballot. So many disqualified. I thought the president and executive director wanted us to return to our core services? Can’t even seem to run an election. Wil is walking into a big mess and I hope he is strong enough for the job.
I hope that if the by-law changes occur and changes to the Board of Directors occur, that all the directors have the dictates of conscience to resign and run again if they want it. This board should take the responsibility for their malfeasance in running the organization.
But what I have been told is if I don’t approve the by-law changes I can be sued. I think this is nonsense. It seems that in the last year everything is secret. Because it is confidential. Because it involves personnel. Because it involves possible legal action.
B!S!
As members we are entitled to the information. But when MBC declares bankruptcy, changes in staff and the fairy tale that we will be informed. Keep an eye on the web site for information. The web site changes like 4 times a year.
Wil Okabe is president. Uncontested. Okay I like Wil and hope he cleans it up. But how is it that so many potential candidates are not on the ballot. So many disqualified. I thought the president and executive director wanted us to return to our core services? Can’t even seem to run an election. Wil is walking into a big mess and I hope he is strong enough for the job.
I hope that if the by-law changes occur and changes to the Board of Directors occur, that all the directors have the dictates of conscience to resign and run again if they want it. This board should take the responsibility for their malfeasance in running the organization.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Stimulus, Budget and the governor
Just were reading some of the comments on the Star-Bulletin and Advertiser web site. It seems that a lot of poorly informed folks out there. So to help them:
Should the governor use education stimulus funds to balance the budget? NO!!!
Should the governor cut wages and benefits? NO!!!
Should the DOE close out the year on May 6th? YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay no, not really. As for using the stimulus funds like she wants? It may be illegal. And it sure would make our jobs harder. Cut wages and benefits is a shortsighted idea. It would affect spending in the state cutting tax revenues even more. She seems willing to sacrifice the state to prove a democratic policy wrong.
As for a shortened school year, I’ve heard from principals that money is running out. Kawamura said that the administration would float the money, but who would believe them.
Should the governor use education stimulus funds to balance the budget? NO!!!
Should the governor cut wages and benefits? NO!!!
Should the DOE close out the year on May 6th? YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay no, not really. As for using the stimulus funds like she wants? It may be illegal. And it sure would make our jobs harder. Cut wages and benefits is a shortsighted idea. It would affect spending in the state cutting tax revenues even more. She seems willing to sacrifice the state to prove a democratic policy wrong.
As for a shortened school year, I’ve heard from principals that money is running out. Kawamura said that the administration would float the money, but who would believe them.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Education Budget
The governor has announced using $192 million of the stimulus funds for education to balance the budget. It would seem on the surface that this is not legal. Not ethical. Not even would it pass the common sense test.
The money should be welcomed as a solution for addressing the budget deficit in education. But it seems that the governor is consistently punishing the education community for nonsupport during her campaigns. Teachers as well as the DOE administration are the targets.
Consistent under funding, constant criticism and violating teachers’ civil rights are the legacy of this governor. Greeting a private school team at the airport is commendable but not doing the same for the public school teams is wrong. I hope teachers now realize their error in supporting the governor. Every governor or candidate for governor has wanted to be the education governor. This is the education governor, the governor that has done all she can to damage the public education system.
The money should be welcomed as a solution for addressing the budget deficit in education. But it seems that the governor is consistently punishing the education community for nonsupport during her campaigns. Teachers as well as the DOE administration are the targets.
Consistent under funding, constant criticism and violating teachers’ civil rights are the legacy of this governor. Greeting a private school team at the airport is commendable but not doing the same for the public school teams is wrong. I hope teachers now realize their error in supporting the governor. Every governor or candidate for governor has wanted to be the education governor. This is the education governor, the governor that has done all she can to damage the public education system.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Money,Money, Money
Today’s Star Bulletin says that EUTF is short $27 million. There is a $29 million shortfall and the state wants employees to pay. The problem with the EUTF is that it was under funded by the start. The EUTF had to increase benefits to compete with HSTA’s VEBA trust. While it had a mechanism to increase funding it was too small in just the first year and needed adjustment.
Only HMSA and Kaiser were large enough to bid on the contract. Smaller unions could not offer an alternative to their members. When Summerlin came into Hawaii the EUTF trustees voted to extend HMSA’s contract rather than allowing Summerlin to bid. I think that the legislature’s intent was not fully thought out. They were really negotiating from weakness. Are the state and the trustees guilty of malfeasance?
MBC had to declare bankruptcy. They say that there was a change in tax laws and reporting income. Because they were unaware of this now MBC has a shortage. I’m sorry but I cannot accept this simple explanation. There is a lot of blame to go around. Who is guilty of malfeasance? MBC’s director, MBC’s board, HSTA’s executive director, HSTA’s executive officers, HSTA’s board of directors, HSTA’s fiscal staff?
Only HMSA and Kaiser were large enough to bid on the contract. Smaller unions could not offer an alternative to their members. When Summerlin came into Hawaii the EUTF trustees voted to extend HMSA’s contract rather than allowing Summerlin to bid. I think that the legislature’s intent was not fully thought out. They were really negotiating from weakness. Are the state and the trustees guilty of malfeasance?
MBC had to declare bankruptcy. They say that there was a change in tax laws and reporting income. Because they were unaware of this now MBC has a shortage. I’m sorry but I cannot accept this simple explanation. There is a lot of blame to go around. Who is guilty of malfeasance? MBC’s director, MBC’s board, HSTA’s executive director, HSTA’s executive officers, HSTA’s board of directors, HSTA’s fiscal staff?
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