The Hawaii Legislature is considering a bill to add 0.5 percent to the 4 percent state general excise tax in order to fund public education, but Joe Kent, executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, says this seemingly small increase would be harmful to Hawaii residents who already are struggling to keep up with the state’s high cost of living.
Interviewed by KHON-TV on Friday, March 1, Kent recommended that instead of increasing the GET — which would increase the cost of living for everyone, including teachers — the Legislature should look at how current funds are being used at the state Department of Education.
