Judge submits final ruling against furloughs for Hawaii workers
Associated Press
HONOLULU — A state judge has filed a final ruling barring Gov. Linda Lingle from unilaterally furloughing state employees.
Tuesday’s action opens the way for Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett to appeal the decision.
There was no immediate comment about an appeal, though the governor has said an appeal is likely. Legal observers say an appeal must be filed within 30 days.
State employee labor unions challenged Lingle’s plan to unilaterally furlough thousands of state workers three days each month to help close the state’s budget shortfall.
Earlier this month, Circuit Judge Karl K. Sakamoto ruled unilateral furloughs violated the state constitution, and his final ruling permanently prohibits them. But furloughs remain a part of negotiations with the unions.
