As the legislative session marks the half-way point, the governor and lawmakers are at odds over who is doing more to help the economy and balance the budget.The governor says there aren't enough job-creating initiatives underway and that they're playing tricks with the state budget.
Lawmakers say their budget is sound but do call the governor out for putting the cost of a tax-refund delay on the next administration.
Session is about half way through, and lawmakers continue to mull over which bills will make it all the way to the governor's desk -- so far she's not impressed.
"We've done marijuana stores, we've done gambling, we've done fois gras and a variety of other topics and now it's a great time to get refocused on what this legislative session has to be about,” said Lingle.
She says that needs to be economic recovery and job creation.
She wants them to focus on passing hotel renovation and job creation tax credits and renewable energy bonds. Meanwhile the administration is implementing a health-premium cost offset for some employers plus a free-internship program for those on the unemployment roster.
As for the state budget -- it's setting up to be another battle year between lawmakers and the administration.
"They have used shibai tactics to hide the fact that they can't balance the budget with the approach that they've taken,” said Lingle.
She points to things like the house bill reinstating state jobs that aren't backed by funding, also accrued vacation payout cuts for the governor and lieutenant governors offices.
Lawmakers say their version is transparent and is better.
"We cut the budget 60 million dollars, all means of financing 40 million dollars more than the governor and we prioritized where we were gonna put the money -- health, human services, education, those are the basics,” said Rep. Marcus Oshiro.
The governor took issue with the house finance chairman saying she's kicking the can down the road by delaying $275 million in tax refunds until the summer.
He stands by it, saying she would pledged with those exact words not to kick the can or cause deferred bills and obligations for the next governor to pay.
