Calling for a reduction in wages and benefits for some state workers, Republican Gov. Linda Lingle asked Hawaii’s Democratic-controlled Legislature to tighten its fiscal belt while paving the way to greater energy and food independence.
In her Jan. 27 state of the state address, Lingle said revenue shortfalls also would require elimination of certain tax credits and deductions.
The popular, second-term governor asked lawmakers to help her reduce the Island State’s reliance on foreign oil and food imports, expand broadband networks, renew state parks and upgrade roads and bridges.
Lingle’s energy plan includes promotion of alternative energy, greater energy efficiency requirements for homes and businesses and a ban on new fossil fuel power plants.
To take a bite out of Hawaii’s foreign food bill, Lingle would give local farmers a 15 percent price preference on all state contracts and urge schools, prisons and hospitals to purchase food locally.
A new communications commission would promote construction of advanced networks to improve the state’s performance in education, health care diagnosis and treatment, public safety, research and innovation, civic participation, creative media and e-government, Lingle said. Crippling island traffic would be improved by building and repairing roads and bridges using federal stimulus funds followed by highway-related tax hikes. And the state’s flagging tourism business would be revived by improvements to state parks, under Lingle’s plan.
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