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Posted: Monday, November 2nd, 2009 4:52 AM HST

Hawaii Democrat attacks Lingle China trip

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Gov. Linda Lingle is promoting Hawaii as a tourism destination during her two-week trip to China, but a Democratic leader says she should have stayed home. Hawaii Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz says the Republican governor should have stayed in Hawaii to continue work on fixing the state's budget shortfall and reaching deals with labor unions. Schatz says he recognizes the importance of expanding tourism, but Lingle should do whatever it takes to find solutions to the budget crisis. Lingle left for a six-city tour Friday. It includes meetings with Chinese tourism officials, U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman and Hainan Airlines, which recently won approval for at least one weekly nonstop flight from Beijing to Hawaii. (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)