Gov. Linda Lingle signed an executive order today that furloughs state workers for three days a month for two years starting in July.

The executive order has been expected since the governor announced her furlough plans earlier this month.
“This is not something we want to do, but something we have to do to balance the state budget and address the unprecedented fiscal emergency we are in due to the projected $2.7 billion revenue shortfall,” Lingle said in a statement. “I appreciate the understanding of the state employees who will be affected by the furlough and admire the cooperation they have demonstrated in helping to ensure that state services will continue to be provided when the furlough plan begins on July 1.”
Lingle has estimated that her furlough plans will save the state $688 million and will help close a $730 million budget deficit through June 2011. The governor said the alternative to furloughs is layoffs of 2,500 state workers under her control.
Public-sector labor unions have challenged the governor’s plans in court as unconstitutional. The unions argue that furloughs and layoff procedures should be the subject of collective bargaining negotiations. Union contracts expire at the end of the month.
A court hearing on the legal challenges is scheduled for July 2.