Yearly Archives: 2023

NEA-NH Testifies in Opposition to Voucher Expansion

“I am writing to you today to express our strong opposition to HB 464 and HB 367, legislation that would greatly increase the amount of funds directed toward our school voucher program by expanding the eligibility of the program. The bills appear to do so by eliminating the income eligibility among a variety of categories of students.” This is how the testimony submitted by NEA-NH for today’s hearings on HV 464 and 367 began. The evidence is just too stark to justify the use of public money to fund private expenses and tuition. Vouchers fail to deliver for the kids […]

NEA-NH Legislative Update 01.13.23

Week in Review – Repeal and Replace of Banned Concepts Leads off the Year! This week hearings began on proposed legislation in House and Senate committees. While there were a number of bills heard this week the biggest bill was HB 61, legislation that would repeal the “banned concepts” law passed in 2021. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Peter Petrigno, a retired NEA-NH member and former NH Teacher of the Year. As a reminder, the legislation would: Turnout was strong from educators, students and the public in support of this bill. We heard powerful testimony in support from current […]

Federal Court Rules “Banned Concepts” Lawsuit Can Continue

Federal judge allows case to proceed, saying “Given the severe consequences that teachers face if they are found to have taught or advocated a banned concept, plaintiffs have pleaded a plausible claim that the amendments are unconstitutionally vague” United States District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro ruled on the State of New Hampshire’s request to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of several recent amendments to New Hampshire’s education and antidiscrimination laws that restrict what public school teachers can say to their students about how to understand, prevent, and redress discrimination in our society. While he did rule that claims that […]

NEA-NH Legislative Update 01.06.23

Legislative Session Begins – Updated Lay of the Land in the House The legislature has begun their work as they held their convening day this past week, each chamber adopted their rules and the remaining House Committee assignments were announced. In the House, all the policy committees will be tied in their partisan makeup, 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats. This means that there will be many votes that will come out of committee to the House floor tied and without a recommendation or many may be retained and studied over the summer. Under the rules of the House this means […]

Legislative Update – January 2023

New Legislature LandscapeOn December 7th, the new legislature was sworn in and organized themselves. The Senate with a 14 – 10 Republican majority elected Sen. Jeb Bradley as the new Senate President and also named Sharon Carson the Republican leader and Sen. Donna Soucy will once again be the Democratic leader. The Senate has also announced their committee assignments as well which you can find here. The House will be historically close. While Sherm Packard (R) was once again elected speaker, the partisan divide is now down to 201 (R) – 198 (D) and 1 race which ended in a […]