Due to the recession and the state's projected $1 billion budget deficit through June 2011, state House and Senate leaders have canceled plans for the usual pomp on Opening Day in January.

State House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Pälolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nänäkuli, Mäkaha), sent a letter Friday to the insiders and VIPs who usually attend Opening Day to remind them that the theme is austerity.

Say and Hanabusa asked insiders and VIPs to give to their favorite charities instead of shelling out for gifts to lawmakers.

Their letter says, in part: "There will be no entertainment, no flowers, no festivities or subsequent receptions, as has been the tradition in years past.

"Speeches will be abbreviated, and instead of being platforms for caucus agendas, will be focused on the joint effort required of us all, working together."