April 16, 2009 - Governor's Weekly Radio Address - Job Creation

Click here to listen to this address.

Aloha,
 
You have heard and read recently about our efforts to balance the state budget and address our $2 billion revenue shortfall. One important component of our plan is reducing labor costs, just as businesses are doing.

We see every day how the private sector is enduring significant budget constraints. We believe this is a time of shared sacrifice and that this unprecedented fiscal situation calls for state and county employees to pull together as one `ohana in order to successfully weather our current economic storm.

My Administration recognizes that Hawai`i families and businesses are struggling. Therefore, we cannot place any extra financial burden on them by raising taxes.

We need to focus on protecting existing jobs and creating new jobs for Hawai`i residents, not raising taxes. Together, we can and must make the necessary and prudent decisions which are best for all the people of Hawai`i.

Mahalo. This is Governor Linda Lingle.