Voters to Decide on Constitutional Amendment for Equity Bond Proposal Supported by State and County Leaders

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Supporters including labor unions and contractors, alongside Gov. Josh Green and the county mayors, urged voters on Wednesday to back a crucial proposal known as Constitutional Amendment Question Two. This amendment, set to appear on the general election ballot, seeks to enable the Hawaii legislature to permit counties to issue equity bonds for infrastructure improvements, funded solely through future property tax revenue growth within designated areas, rather than increased tax rates.

Proponents assert that this initiative will provide essential funding for necessary projects such as roads and utilities for housing developments without raising existing taxes. For instance, the redevelopment of the Aloha Stadium is pointed out as a project that could generate future tax revenue without imposing additional taxes on local residents. However, some opponents, including the chair of Hawaii’s Libertarian Party, express concerns regarding potential increases in overall government debt and advocate for alternative solutions like changing zoning laws.