Hawaii Gov. Lingle opposes reserves plan

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HONOLULU, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has reportedly joined other governors in opposing a congressional plan to widen Pentagon control of U.S. reserve forces domestically.

The Honolulu Star Bulletin reported Friday Lingle has joined top state officials such as Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III in questioning a proposal that would give the Pentagon more authority over reserve troops during domestic disasters.

Maj. Gen. Bob Lee, in charge of 5,500 Hawaii Army and Air Guard troops, suggests that could cause issues about who controls reserves forces in homeland emergencies.

The National Governors Association also opposes the proposal for the 2010 Defense Authorization Act, which will be discussed in Congress next month.

"I commend them for it," U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, told the Star Bulletin of the association's stance. "What the Pentagon is doing is a fundamental threat to our government."