HONOLULU -- State senators are considering a bill on Monday that would raise the general excise tax 1 percent to stop furloughs at public schools.

The 11th furlough Friday of the school year happens this week.

The general excise is currently just under 5 percent.

Lawmakers said that if they raise taxes to end furloughs, they would include proposals to ease the tax hike's effects on the needy.

Sen. Norman Sakamoto announced last week that the Senate does not plan on using money from the state's rainy day fund to end the furlough.

Negotiations to end furlough Fridays have been stalled for about a month now.

Gov. Linda Lingle said an offer is on the table and complained the Board of Education has not presented it to the teacher's union yet.

BOE leaders said they asked for clarification on the proposal that converts teacher's training days to instructional days.