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Hawaii Governor Scolds Union on Furlough Talks

Honolulu

The effort to end Hawaii's public school furloughs appeared to hit a snag Friday as Gov. Linda Lingle scolded the teachers union and the union began an advertising campaign aimed at a major component of the governor's plan to halt the furloughs.

Lingle said the Hawaii State Teachers Association is refusing to continue negotiations to eliminate the furloughs until Dec. 15. That would make it difficult to convene a special legislative session before the end of the year and approve a bill to use part of the state's rainy day fund to end furloughs before January, she said.

"We will meet anytime, anyplace, over the weekend, at night," Lingle told reporters...