HONOLULU -- Gov. Linda Lingle Wednesday ramped up her war on Democratic lawmakers for their plan to hike taxes.

She is inviting the public Thursday to watch her veto the tax hikes.

She delivered an online address Wednesday to say why the tax hikes will be bad for the economy.

This is a recent technique of the governors going directly to the people online.

"The Web cast, the public veto Thursday, they are just attempts to create a circus out of this process," said HGEA Union leader Randy Perreira. "Doing this kind of public spectacle like this is ridiculous and frankly a waste of taxpayer money."

The governor re-emphasized what she has been saying all week.

"The tax hikes will hurt Hawaii's economic recovery and lawmakers are giving public employees a sense of false hope," said Lingle.

"By telling them you don't have to negotiate seriously with the state we're going to get you all the money you need. We are going to raise taxes. You are going to have what you need to be kept whole. And that is simply not going to occur. "That is absurd, there is still a big puka in the budget," said Senate president Sen. Colleen Hanabusa.

Hanabusa said the tax hikes are to balance the budget not to cater to public workers already hit with health insurance cost increases.

So for a public sector employee who has a health plan they are going to pay $3,000 more a year out of pocket just to get the coverage.

"We are already suffering. Our medical just went up through the roof," said Darren Wong, a city wastewater division employee.

Earlier Wednesday, on radio shows, the governor said her negotiators have told unions furloughs will be imposed July 1.

"She is not negotiating. She is lying. She has dictated that there shall be 16 or more furloughs per year. She is not attempting to negotiate anything," Wong said.

So for Wednesday the governor attempted to control the message.