Hawaii voters easily passed two constitutional amendments, with one giving lawmakers more time to confirm judges and the other opening the door to new bond funding for housing — both seen as low-risk, broadly popular moves.

• The judicial measure passed with 60% support, mainly just giving the Senate Judiciary Committee more time to review judge picks, especially when lawmakers are out of session.
• A separate measure lets counties sell bonds to help pay for infrastructure like roads and utilities needed for new housing, using a method called tax increment financing.
• The idea is that if counties can finance that infrastructure through bonds instead of passing the cost onto developers, new housing becomes cheaper to build.
• Support was unusually broad, with mayors, the governor, construction unions, and even housing advocates who normally clash with developers all backing it, and unions spent heavily on ads.
• The main risk raised was that if property tax revenue doesn't keep pace, a county's bond rating could take a hit, but that was seen as a minor concern compared to the benefit.

Outlook: With this financing tool now allowed, expect counties to start using it to jumpstart stalled housing projects in the coming months.