GOVERNOR LINGLE CLARIFIES WORDING IN STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

HONOLULU—Governor Linda Lingle realized last evening an error in wording had been made in one short passage of yesterday's "State of the State Address."

In the Economy section of her remarks, she proposed legislation which would limit workers compensation claims in certain circumstances. In the three-line statement, she mentioned that a worker had been fired for "stealing," when in fact, in the case decided by the Hawaii Supreme Court, Courtney v. Rent-A-Center, the worker was fired for
"insubordination."

"In my remarks today, I stated that the Court had ruled that a worker fired for stealing could collect workers compensation as a result of stress from the firing," said Governor Lingle. "In fact, the Court has allowed the claims of a worker fired for insubordination and a worker disciplined for violating a rule," Lingle added.

"I apologized to Chief Justice Moon and will also to the Court for my error in wording. I have tremendous respect for the Court, its Justices and the work they perform on behalf of the people of Hawaii. In my opinion, the workers compensation system was never intended to cover situations like these, or any personnel actions taken in good faith by the employer," said Governor Lingle.

"Several years ago the legislature began the process of limiting such claims, but that statute does not go far enough. I have asked that the job be completed so that any employer acting in good faith can take a personnel action without fear of it leading to a workers compensation claim," added Lingle.

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