Gov. Linda Lingle said today she will furlough approximately 900 state employees for three days per month effective Sept. 1.

These "exempt excluded" employees are all nonunion employees, who are not covered by Judge Karl Sakamoto's order barring the governor from unilaterally implementing furloughs for union employees. It is expected that these furloughs will save the state approximately $7 million to $10 million for each 12-month period the furloughs are in effect. Lingle will also explore whether there are other employees, not covered by Sakamoto's order that she can also furlough.