Judge refuses to block ballot question on Hawaii constitutional amendment

A judge has ruled against a motion by Hawaii’s four counties to block November ballots from asking voters if they want to amend the Hawaii Constitution to allow the state to tax investment property.

In ruling for the state, First Circuit Judge Jeff Crabtree said today that the counties didn’t meet the standards required for granting a preliminary injunction, including a requirement that they are likely to win. Rather, he said the counties are unlikely to prevail in the case.

Hawaii’s four counties are suing the state arguing that the ballot question is unlawfully vague and that the Legislature didn’t follow proper procedures in passing the measure.

The bill, which was overwhelmingly approved by state lawmakers, instructed the ballot question to be phrased as follows: “Shall the legislature be authorized to establish, as provided by law, a surcharge on investment real property to be used to support public education?”

Read more: http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/09/07/breaking-news/judges-ruling-allows-ballot-question-on-additional-hawaii-tax/