Governor Abercrombie pledged Monday to keep Hawaii on the path of economic recovery during his second State of the State address.
He said it is thanks to the shared sacrifice of state employees that Hawaii has started to turn the corner.
Among the priorities for his administration over the next year are: $1.3 billion in bond-funded public works projects to create jobs and stimulate the economy; energy priorities like reducing dependence on foreign oil; and a soon-to-be unveiled roadmap for self-sufficiency to start on the Big Island.
Much of his focus was on education, and the idea of a laptop for every student.
The timeline on the laptop program is as soon as possible, once funding can be arranged.
The governor said public, private and foundation resources will be combined to provide a laptop to every public school child.
As for public funds, "it is a capital question," the governor said. If we have to float bonds in order to do it or some other tax revenue proposal, I'm wide open on that."
"I know we'll be able to come up with a very broad based proposal that will involve the expenditure of a lot of funds now, but (it will) be paid for over the years."
After the speech lawmakers discussed the impact on this and other plans from upcoming financial forecasts.
"The governor's six year financial plan matched up with some of his proposals that were laid out today, so we're going to wait and see for the March council on revenue numbers and we'll take it from there," said Senator Shan Tsutsui (D), the Senate President.
"If there's a hit on that council of revenues by another $150 million, all of this stuff kind of goes up in the air," said Representative Gene Ward (R), the House Minority Leader.
The governor called for support of access to early childhood education for all keiki regardless of income, and will request a million dollars for this and a health initiative focused on obesity prevention.
"Early childhood education lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning and results in productive citizens who will someday manage our businesses, build our homes and offices, welcome our visitors, care for our sick, (and) make new discoveries in science," the governor said.
The governor said a student growth and teacher evaluation system will be put in place with or without HSTA concurrence.
House Speaker (D) Calvin Say said, "It's going to be touch and go in terms of how do create a criteria or evaluation process in trying to address performance based bonuses or salary increases."
"The only thing I think the legislature can do is to give the bargaining unit along with management pep talks," he said.
The governor says besides legislative tools, all management, administrative and legal avenues will be pursued to implement the evaluation system.
"You don't want to write that kind of thing into a contract itself because not one size fits all, so it's important to separate contractual discussions from policy discussions. That's what the board decides. That's what the superintendent decides."
The governor asked the teachers union to provide a contract proposal as soon as possible after they voted down a contract last week.
