Gov. Linda Lingle, concerned that House Speaker Calvin Say is being unfairly criticized for proposing controversial budget-cutting bills and keeping them alive, said Friday that Say's courage should be lauded.

Speaking to reporters before an address to an educators group, the governor reiterated that she would not discuss specific ways of closing the state's projected budget gap for another several weeks.

To do so now, before the state Council on Revenues next month releases a projection that is expected to reduce state revenues again, would be counterproductive, she said.

"To develop a budget now based on projections from (the council's previous estimate on) January 9 that you know is not going to hold is really not a constructive process," Lingle said.

"It gets people anxious about issues that may not really come to pass," she added. "And yet, because of the legislative process, (Say) has to keep those bills moving."

Say has introduced several measures that propose cutting state expenses, such as eliminating some tax credits and altering public employee health and pension benefits, the governor said.

That has generated substantial criticism directed at Say from state employees and others.

The governor's comments came during a week in which some legislators and interest groups have grumbled that Lingle is providing too few specifics on how to address an estimated budget shortfall of more than $1 billion in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

She has offered details on how to close an $81 million gap in the current fiscal year budget, but has held off on specifics beyond that.

Though Say may not agree with the thrust of his bills, he understands that they may be necessary when a budget deal is reached, Lingle contended.

"It took political courage for Speaker Say to actually introduce these bills," the governor said.

"I don't want to see him take hits unfairly," she added. "I thought he was bearing too much responsibility in a negative way when in fact he should be getting credit for what he did. He exhibited real leadership in this case."

Lingle also said she will ask legislators to alter their recess schedule in order to improve the timing for a budget resolution.

Dealing with the state's budget woes has taught her a lot about the legislative process, the governor acknowledged. She revealed that she sat down for the first time with the entire state Board of Education recently to discuss possible revenues from a federal fiscal stimulus bill.

She said her budget calculations are not now relying on funds from that bill, nor is she lobbying for it in Washington, D.C., as are some other Republican governors. But the measure should focus more on getting the housing market back on its feet, she added.