Proposed bills aim to create housing vouchers for Hawaii teachers

Some 13,700 teachers are employed in Hawaii's public school system.
Some 13,700 teachers are employed in Hawaii's public school system.(Hawaii News Now)
Updated: Feb. 20, 2019 at 5:42 AM HST
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HILO, Hawaii (AP) - Two proposed bills look to create a housing voucher program for full-time teachers employed by the Hawaii Department of Education or at public charter schools.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports the program would provide vouchers to full-time teachers who teach in a “hard-to-fill” school, and whose household income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.

The vouchers are not to exceed $500 per month.

The bills passed second readings and were referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee.

Ways and Means recommended both bills be passed with amendments.

A third bill would allow for a state income tax credit up to $500 for pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade teachers and other school officials employed at least 900 hours a school year to help offset personal expenditures.

The bill passed second reading and was referred to the House Finance Committee.

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