Editor’s Note: Abercrombie has now come out against an Audit of the BoE and against the fall ballot measure to amend the State Constitution to create an appointed BoE. His minions in Hawaii’s pathetic excuse for a media are doing their best to cover the story up. For instance the Star-Advertiser Friday FALSELY reported that Abercrombie and Aiona AGREE on an appointed BoE. The SA did not mention Abercrombie’s clear statement that he will vote AGAINST the ballot measure Nov 2.
SA Continues to lie: Abercrombie, Aiona refocus on schools
by Democrat hack BJ Reyes
With polls calling the race a virtual tie, the candidates for governor butted heads yesterday over an appointed versus elected Board of Education.
Republican James "Duke" Aiona, the lieutenant governor, who supports having the governor appoint the 14-member board, accused Democrat Neil Abercrombie of being beholden to public worker unions who are supporting his campaign.
Abercrombie, the former congressman, said he agrees with the concept of an appointed board, but that it makes little difference in the end, adding that Aiona's proposal to conduct a comprehensive audit ignores the immediate needs of the state's public education system.
NOT A SINGLE WORD ABOUT ABERCROMBIE’S OPPOSITION TO THE FALL BALLOT MEASURE CREATING AN APPOINTED BOE. THIS IS A NEW LOW FOR THE STAR-ADVERTISER.
Contrast the SA story to KHON: Candidates for Governor at Odds over School-related Issues
Candidates for governor are at odds over two school-related issues.
The topics are a proposed audit of the multibillion dollar Department of Education, and an upcoming constitutional amendment vote on an appointed school board.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona and his running mate back giving the governor the power of appointment for the Board of Education.
"We need the accountability. Four governors have already come out in support of an appointed school board," said Lynn Finnegan (R), candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Democratic opponent Neil Abercrombie says the constitutional amendment that would allow it is flawed…
We found this AP article on the New England Comcast Network -- THE source for Hawaii News: Gov. candidates bicker over appointed school board (UPDATE, Maui News is also running this article and KPUA has the shortened version.)
HONOLULU (AP) — To appoint a school board or to elect a school board.
That was the question hanging over the contest for Hawaii governor Friday as the two major gubernatorial candidates fired bromides at each other over their willingness to push reforms of the state's school system.
Both Republican Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and Democrat Neil Abercrombie conceptually want the power to appoint Hawaii's 14-member Board of Education, which currently is elected.
But on Thursday evening, during a PBS Hawaii debate, Abercrombie said he opposes a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 2 ballot that would give a governor that authority.
On Friday, Aiona jumped on that statement, linking his opponent's position to endorsements the Democrat has received from the Hawaii State Teachers Association and other labor unions.
"We know we can stand up to them," Aiona said at a news conference. "But we have a serious question — in fact, I have a doubt — that Neil Abercrombie will stand up to HSTA if it's contrary to what their position is."
"He's going to bend and he's going to cave in to union pressure," Aiona added.
The teachers union does oppose the ballot measure, but it is backed by former state schools chief Pat Hamamoto, GOP Gov. Linda Lingle and three former Democratic governors — George Ariyoshi, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano.
Republican lieutenant governor nominee Lynn Finnegan joined in, contending Abercrombie's opposition to an independent audit of the Department of Education was another example of the Democrat's fealty to union backers.
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