Governor releases money to end teacher furloughs, pay for social services

Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced today that he would release $67 million from the state’s hurricane relief fund to cover the cost of ending teacher furloughs and more than $23 million from the state’s rainy day fund to help social service programs.

The money had been approved by the state Legislature last session but had been withheld by Gov. Linda Lingle.

Abercrombie, in his first news conference at the state Capitol after his inauguration, said he was following through on the will of state lawmakers.

Abercrombie called releasing the teacher furlough money a "morale booster" that closes a difficult chapter for the state.

The money from the rainy day fund was designated to help social service programs, such as Kupuna Care and Healthy Start, that had suffered during the recession.