State Budget Crisis: Public Employee Furloughs

The state budget is in crisis and the Governor has a plan to to furlough state workers 3 days a month over the next 2 years and save about 700-million dollars.

This controversial plan would shut down many of the state offices one day a week. Several large unions representing state workers have filed suit to try and stop the furloughs from taking place.

Host Dan Boylan leads a discussion about state worker furloughs and balancing the budget. And Howard Dicus explains how Hawaii got to this point. This conversation was recorded on June 25th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

Are Hawaii residents and government agencies prepared to deal with our aging society? These questions concerned video producer Audrey Kubota, who returned home to care for her aging parents. The experience resulted in a collaboration with filmmaker Marc Delorme investigating Hawaii's long term care support services.

Their documentary, "The Graying of Hawaii" is included as part of the INSIGHTS discussion on elder care in Hawaii. Joining the discussion after the conclusion of the film will be: NANCY MOSER, the grants manager from the State's Executive Office on Aging; DEBBIE KIM MORIKAWA, the City and County of Honolulu Community Services Director; LARRY GELLER, the president of Kokua Council for Senior Citizens; Dr. NEAL WINN, the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer for Ho'okele Health Planners; and BOBBIE ONZUKA-ANDERSON, a social worker in the field of aging for over 30 years. This conversation was recorded on June 18th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

Farming has played a large role throughout Hawaii's history.. and though the business has changed dramatically, agriculture remains an important part of our economy and food supply.

In this episode of INSIGHTS, host Dan Boylan talks with key players who are planting the seeds of a sustainable future for Hawaii's ag industry, including guests: Sandra Lee Kunimoto, Chair, Hawaii Board of Agriculture; Gary Maunakea-Forth, MA`O Organic Farms; Richard Ha, Hamakua Springs Country Farms; and Adolph Helm, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association. This conversation was recorded on May 28th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

This episode of INSIGHTS examines the issues tackled by policy makers relating to Hawaiian issues and the effects of the budget crisis upon programs benefiting the native Hawaiian community.

Dan Boylan leads the discussion with some key lawmakers involved, including; SENATOR CLAYTON HEE, Chair. Senate Water, Land, Agriculture & Hawaiian Affairs Com.; REP. MELE CARROLL, Chair, House Hawaiian Affairs Committee; and SENATOR BRICKWOOD GALUTERIA of the Legislative Hawaiian Caucus. This conversation was recorded on May 21st, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

The Hawaii State Legislature has just concluded its session for 2009. This year's work was marked by tax increases, spending cuts and the demise of civil unions.

Host Dan Boylan leads a Review of the 2009 Legislative Session with guests: Calvin Say, Speaker of the House; Colleen Hanabusa, President of the Senate; Gene Ward, House Minority Policy Leader; Barry Fukunaga, Chief of Staff for Governor Lingle; and Richard Borreca, Star-Bulletin Capitol Reporter. This conversation was recorded on May 14th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

Public housing was created as a safety net to assist those who require that extra help to keep a roof over their heads. There are at least 8,000 people in Hawaii waiting to get into public housing. But with massive government budget shortfalls can we meet the demand and address the backlogged repairs?

Host Dan Boylan leads a discussion on the topic with a panel that includes: Chad Taniguchi, the Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Connie Mitchell, Executive Director for the Institute for Human Services (IHS); Theresa Cummings, a resident of Mayor Wright Homes and President of the Statewide Resident Council; and Clarissa Osina, a resident of elderly public housing facility Kalaniuhia
& Board member of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. This conversation was recorded on May 7th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

How are Hawaii's artists and arts organizations faring in the economic downturn? Can artists and arts organizations channel their creativity into inventing new ways of fundraising and making due with less?

Host Dan Boylan moderates a panel of experts on the topic, including Hawaii Arts Alliance C.E.O. Marilyn Cristofori; kumu hula and Executive Director of the Mayor's Office on Culture and the Arts Michael Pili Pang; Contemporary Museum Executive Director Georgianna Lagoria; and Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and Arts Commissioner Teri Freitas Gorman. "Insights" contributing editor Howard Dicus will lend an economic perspective to the issue.This conversation was recorded on April 30th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

In the closing weeks of the state Legislature, public officials are doing their part to conserve scarce resources while non-profits in Hawaii are inundated with people who need help. How will Hawaii's human service agencies cope?

Host Dan Boylan leads a panel discussion on the challenges ahead with representatives from the non-profit sector. Panelists include: Joanne Lundstrom, Chair of PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawaii's Ohana, Children, Under-served, Elderly and Disabled); Alan Shinn, the Executive Director of Coalition For A Drug-Free Hawaii; Ruthann Quitiquit, President/CEO of Parents And Children Together; and Kelvin Taketa, the President /CEO of the Hawaii Community Foundation. This conversation was recorded on April 16th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

Over the past decade, the State of Hawaii more than doubled its spending on mental health services, but now with many state programs on the chopping block, funding for mental health programs has been slashed. The state believes the new budget still provides for essential services... but advocates & service providers are sounding the alarm. Dan Boylan leads a discussion on the topic with a panel which includes; Marya Grambs, the Executive Director of the Mental Health America of Hawaii; Greg Payton, the Executive Director for Mental Health Kokua; William Sheehan, MD, Medical Director for the State Mental Health Division; and Linda Smith, Senior Policy Advisor for Governor Linda Lingle. This conversation was recorded on April 9th, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.

The fate of House Bill 444, the civil unions bill that extends to same-sex partners the same benefits and protections as married couples has been stalled in the Senate Judiciary committee. Host Dan Boylan leads a discussion on the future of civil unions during this legislative session. Members of the panel include: State Representative Blake Oshiro; Tambry Young, Board President for the Family Equality Coalition; State Senator Will Espero; Honolulu Council Member Gary Okino, as a private citizen opposed to civil unions; and Attorney Robert Matsumoto.

Later in the program, Governor Lingle's Senior Policy Advisor, Linda Smith, will respond to criticism about the Administration's budget plans.This conversation was recorded on April 2nd, 2009 in the PBS Hawaii studio.