The budget passed by the House and Senate adds approximately $138 million in new state funding for local public schools, the greatest increase in funding for local public schools in twenty years, since Governor Jeanne Shaheen. For the first time in New Hampshire history, kindergartners are treated the same as every other student; i.e. full adequacy for full-day kindergarten. Full stabilization payments to help those communities left out and left behind and a new fiscal disparity aid formula that sends targeted resources back to the communities that need it most were also included.
Unfortunately, the governor vetoed this budget that does so much good for so many communities because he wants more tax breaks for big businesses. Right now, New Hampshire can’t afford another round of tax breaks. We simply cannot address the multiple crises facing New Hampshire, including the need to better fund education if we continue to cut business taxes.
Sen. Feltes discusses the impact of the veto with NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle.
Visit our Take Action page to contact Governor Sununu to let him know how his veto impacts your school.