Week’s Recap: Open Enrollment and Voucher Double Dipping
This week several important hearings were held on open enrollment and voucher expansion; Committee votes are still pending on these bills.
Open Enrollment Hearing Continued
The outpouring of opposition to SB 101 and its newest proposed amendment made for another full day of testimony this week after having the hearing continued from the week prior due to the number of students, parents, and educators who came to Concord. The proposed amendment doesn’t fix the underlying problems with the bill, including addressing the core problem of districts that are struggling to meet the needs of all their students because of the State’s failure to fairly fund public education.
Despite a high level of opposition, we know that the special interests pushing this legislation are the same ones who want to privatize public education, which is why we cannot let up on this critical moment. While the Committee has yet to cast their recommendation vote, there is no time to waste. Use our form to contact your state representative(s) and the governor to let them know that this open enrollment plan does not work for students.
Voucher Double Dipping
Speaking of education privatization, the Senate Education Committee also held its public hearing on HB 1817, a bill that would allow families to accept a voucher and then also have the right to enroll in classes at their local public school. This is yet another attempt to expand the voucher program and take more public dollars away from public schools. This bill is a double whammy at a time when school districts are struggling to even level fund their budgets. NEA-NH was there to oppose the bill, but there is still time to contact the Committee before they vote on a recommendation. Let the Senate Education Committee know you’re opposed to using local property tax dollars to subsidize private education.
Next Week’s Major Hearings: Book Ban Attempt #2 and More Culture War Bills
The House Education Policy and Administration Committee has several bill hearings scheduled this week on Senate bills that are all about fighting a culture war in public schools instead of supporting our students. Please SIGN IN or write in to OPPOSE each of these bills being heard in the House Education Policy and Administration Committee on Wednesday, April 8. Please find step-by-step instructions to sign in below.
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SB 430 is the return of a bill that mandates written answers from educators in response to inquiries that is too broad and risks putting educators in a position of outing a student. – OPPOSE (Hearing: 10:20 am on 4/8)
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SB 431 is an attempt to “fix” the banned concepts law that was ruled unconstitutional. Rather than trying to tinker around the edges of this classroom censorship law, the Legislature should simply repeal it in its entirety. – OPPOSE (Hearing: 11:00am on 4/8)
- SB 434 is the latest attempt to mandate a process for having certain books removed from schools. It comes after a similar bill was vetoed by Governor Ayotte last year. This bill is too prescriptive, uses vague standards, and is unnecessary because schools have already developed strong reconsideration policies at the local level that meet the needs of their communities. – OPPOSE (Hearing 11:30am on 4/8)
NEA-NH Action Center
Most of the tools and information you need to be a legislative advocate for public education are right at your fingertips through NEA-New Hampshire. Check out our NEA-NH Action Center to get all the information you need about issues we’re tracking at the State House, how to communicate with your lawmakers, and how to take action on specific bills.
Questions?
If you have questions on any of these bills or ones not mentioned here, please feel free to contact Brian Hawkins, NEA-NH Director of Government Relations at [email protected].
Need help signing in on legislation? Follow these comprehensive instructions (details for public hearings are contained in each action request).
For House hearings:
1. Visit this link: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx
2. Enter your personal information
3. Select the hearing date
4. Select the committee
5. Choose the bill
6. I am - A member of the public
7. Choose who you are representing - Myself
8. Indicate your position on this bill
9. Upload remote testimony (Optional)
10. Review information and click submit
For Senate hearings:
1. Go to https://bit.ly/3S4Cof1 and click the date that the bill you are interested in is being heard
2. Select the committee that is hearing the bill
3. Select the bill you are interested in
4. Select a category – Member of the Public
5. Indicate your position on this bill
6. Click continue
7. Enter your name and contact information
8. Click continue
9. Carefully review the information to ensure it is entered correctly. If it is correct, check the box and click continue.
