STATEMENT BY LYNN FINNEGAN ON ABERCROMBIE'S EARLY EDUCATION PLAN

HONOLULU - Lynn Finnegan, Republican candidate for Lt. Governor released the following statement today in response to Neil Abercrombie's early education plan and recently released campaign radio ads on the same topic:

“I have long stated that Hawai'i's educational system operates backward: placing students last in terms of consideration and needs. The simple fact is that Hawai’i cannot continue to rank third worst in the nation in education.  Our state needs well thought out proposals based on a fiscally responsible budget. However, Mr. Abercrombie's proposals will amount to nothing more than empty campaign promises because he and other Democrats continue to bow to union leadership and ignore the needs of our keiki. Hawai'i needs action-oriented leadership based on bold, innovative solutions which are student-focused and not beholden to any special interests.”

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ABERCROMBIE’S CAMPAIGN PROMISES DON’T DELIVER FOR HAWAI’I’S CHILDREN

HONOLULU-- Chairman of the Hawai'i Republican Party Jonah Ka'auwai responded to Democrat Neil Abercrombie’s proposal to improve early childhood education in Hawai’i:

“It’s obvious the campaign season is in full swing and as usual Democrat candidates are promising voters everything without the foresight or intention to deliver on those promises.

Neil Abercrombie’s plan to improve early education in Hawai’i fails to address the crux of the problem: public union boss’ stranglehold on Hawai’i’s government departments and programs.  Furlough Fridays have only underlined how detrimental public union bosses are to a quality education system. 

“How will Mr. Abercrombie deal with union leadership push back when their union member’s jobs are on the line for the sake of efficiency and accountability?

“What are the proposed costs for these programs and, with the state’s budget already tight, where does he propose to find the revenue for additional costs of implementation?  What kind of accountability will these programs have in accomplishing their goals?  His education plan is weak and is nothing more than shibai budgeting.”

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