by Willes K. Lee, Hawaii Republican Party Chairman

Appearing before the Senate Ways & Means Committee, Governor Lingle presented a budget that is both sensible and realistic. It balances the state budget without raising taxes or hurtful layoffs.

Increasing taxes on families and small business during a recession only compounds the pain people are already feeling and makes recovery more difficult.

Pay cuts rather than layoffs for state workers also make sense because layoffs just send people to the unemployment line. Temporary pay cuts are fair, asking all state workers (including the Governor and her cabinet) to help us get through the recession by making sacrifices.

Governor Lingle has shown responsible leadership in addressing each need for budget reductions; always keeping the state’s immediate needs in mind without hurting the opportunity for our economy to recover as soon as possible.