MEDIA RELEASE BY STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK BENNETT

“Governor Linda Lingle and I have reviewed the final judgment of Judge Karl Sakamoto in the case brought by the Hawai‘i Government Employees Association (HGEA) against the State, seeking an injunction against Governor Lingle’s decision to implement three furlough days per month for state employees. The State appreciates that Judge Sakamoto, in response to a request by the State, entered a final judgment in the case, in order to expedite a possible appeal in this matter.

“Governor Lingle and I continue to believe that Judge Sakamoto erred in his legal analysis, and that the Governor has the right to implement the three-day-per-month furlough plan. The State also believes Judge Sakamoto erred in deciding that he, rather than the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board, had jurisdiction in this matter.

“The State will shortly file an appeal and will seek expedited consideration of that appeal. Governor Lingle continues to believe that her furlough plan was the best way to address the State’s fiscal crisis, and regrets that the HGEA and other public employer unions took the position in court that they did.”

Mark Bennett
Attorney General