The outcome of the final vote is in doubt, especially in the 25-member state Senate, where there is no clear majority of 13 senators either for or against the bill. Passage seems more likely in the 51-member House. Intense lobbying is under way by friends and foes of the bill. Backers say the reform is long overdue and will save the state hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming years. Gov. Ben Cayetano has been walking the halls of the Legislature to urge members to stay strong in the face of the united union effort to kill the measure.
Union leaders say it is the most anti-worker piece of legislation ever to come up for a vote.
They say it will lead to reduced benefits and higher costs for union members. The state says the health plans need to be merged because the unions have chosen not to cover retirees, leaving the more expensive workers and retirees for the state-funded plan and allowing the unions to negotiate better deals. This is a bill that will take a big step forward to bring about a reform to help get the health fund costs under control. HireHonolulu Fill an opening, find a job Insurance Center Covering the needs of small business owners Internet Directory Local businesses on the web Legal Center Hundreds of business legal tools Office Products Special deals on equipment, supplies.