Parents join teachers at Hawaii schools to rally in support of constitutional amendment

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Parents joined teachers at dozens of public schools across the state on Tuesday morning to rally in support of a proposed constitutional amendment regarding education.

The proposed constitutional amendment, set to go before voters on Nov. 6, reads: “Shall the legislature be authorized to establish, as provided by law, a surcharge on investment real property to be used to support public education?”

Educators and other supporters say the tax would only apply to the wealthy and would provide much-needed funds for education. But opponents say the wording is to vague and will only raise the cost of living in Hawaii.

“No one wants to pay more taxes. I myself own a second unit and I am willing to pay that because I have seen firsthand the equity between the public schools and the private schools,” said Kashmira Reid, one of the parents at the rally. “There is no guarantee that the money is going to reach the classroom.”

Parents and teachers rallied at nearly 50 schools across Hawaii on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, on Monday, several University of Hawaii staff members and students came together to say the tax is the only practical way to generate needed money for schools. They also criticized a new ad featuring four former governors who all warn against the added costs of the constitutional amendment.

Voters will make the final call on the amendment in the Nov. 6 General Election.

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