News Archive
Governor's pay cuts off the table for now
May 14, 2020
The governor is backing off of his plan for pay cuts and furloughs at this time. HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira explains that Ige was pushed into the decision by legislative leaders and economists who have maintained that pay cuts are unnecessary and counterintuitive to creating a better economic situation. Credit goes to legislative leaders including Speaker of the House Scott Saiki, Finance Chair Sylvia Luke, Ways & Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and Senate President Ron Kouchi.
Federal aid to states and local governments needed
For the long term, Hawaii will need much more additional federal aid to "right the ship." Our congressional delegation and national union, AFSCME, are working very hard to achieve that.
Reopening of Hawaii's economy
We are trying to get details from each jurisdiction on their plan to keep employees and the public safe as government offices reopen, however there is no uniformity. We have issues with Kauai County and the City & County of Honolulu that we are investigating and will take action on. The UH and the Judiciary are the current brights spots and are adopting methodical and safe plans. We are insisting on action plans that will keep employees and the public safe.