Unions Make Offer, State Budget Gap Shrinks

At a meeting between public-employee unions, Governor Lingle, and the 4 County Mayors, an offer for public-sector employees to take a 5% pay cut was made. This offer comes on the heels of the ruling made by Judge Karl Sakamoto, deeming the furloughs ordered by Governor Lingle as unlawful.

The state deficit also shrank yesterday, as new numbers were released by Governor Lingle. Once estimated at approximately $900 million, the deficit is now estimated to be $744 million over the next two years.

Read the Honolulu Advertiser article on the unions' offer here.
Read the Star Bulletin article on the state deficit here.