Aiona: No need for special legislative session

By Associated Press

POSTED: 06:14 p.m. HST, Nov 04, 2009

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona says there is no need to call a special legislative session to reduce or eliminate controversial teacher furloughs in Hawaii.

In a statement, Aiona today said a special session would be premature because the revenue picture for the fiscal year that ends June 30 would be unclear. Instead, he says state education and teacher union officials could reopen contract talks to discuss pay cuts or shift furlough days to non-instructional days.

He also said officials could agree to ease the process for parents and school principals to convert waiver and planning days into instructional time.

His comments mirror those of Gov. Linda Lingle and Republican legislators. Aiona intends to run for governor next year.