Thursday’s votes in Representative’s Hall did not disappoint. They went pretty much the way we thought they would. Here are a few examples;
HB 115 has to do with those school vouchers again! Sponsored by Liberty Alliance member, Rep. Valerie McDonnell R-Salem, this legislation “increases the income eligibility for the EFA program in fiscal year 2026 and removes the income eligibility criteria beginning in fiscal year 2027.” It will raise the income cap from the current 350% poverty level to 400% and then removes any cap the following year. Currently a family of four with an annual income of $112,000 is eligible for the vouchers. Once the cap is eliminated in 2027, this unaudited, unaccounted for program will cost more than $100 million annually. This increases property taxes. Let’s say this again. THIS INCREASES PROPERTY TAXES!
Now let’s see what occurred at a public hearing the day before the full House voted on the bill; MOMENTS AGO: Republican Finance chairman chastises Granite Staters (who drove from across the state) for speaking up against the consistent underfunding... | By New Hampshire House Democratic Caucus | Facebook
Speaking in favor of the bill, Rep. McDonnell made the claim that the vouchers don’t raise property taxes and can be used in public schools. What? She also claimed that 84% of people want them.
I’ll bet they do . . .if that number is even correct.
An amendment was brought forth to require yearly income recertification, placing the voucher program alongside requirements for other public assistance programs. Because this is what the school voucher program is, public assistance for those who don’t need it! The amendment failed 205-170. A second amendment was brought forth but that too, failed, 205-171. In the end, HB 115 passed, 198-180.
Fun fact: Liberty Alliance member Rep. Glenn Cordelli’s district includes Ossipee, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro. On Tues., March 11th, Wolfeboro held its annual town meeting. Included on its warrant was petitioned Article 37, “Reaffirming our New Hampshire Article 6 & 83 Rights,” prohibiting the collection and expending of town collected property tax funds to the state by way of the State Wide Education Property Taxes for the purpose of supporting school vouchers. It’s all in the article, which passed by a vote of 896-535. Wolfeboro decisively said “no” to school vouchers.
Next up, a bill that would prohibit school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid meal balances failed on Thurs. Most of these kids are from low-income families. Sponsored by 9 Democrat Representatives and 3 Democrat Senators, HB 703 was meant to prevent kids who have unpaid meal balances from being shamed or embarrassed by denying them lunch. The added amendment made it a competitive grant program. With a vote of 202-173, schools can continue to deny lunch to kids who have a meal balance. They are out of the womb, after all . . .which means, you’re on your own.
Another bill sponsored by Democrats, HB 646 would require school districts to establish an online application for participation in the free and reduced price meal program. This was meant to make the application process easier for families so their kids receive free or reduced price meals in school. The added amendment made it a competitive grant program. Republicans killed the bill, 209-165.
Clearly, Republicans have no intention of listening to the people of NH, whether it’s a collective opposition to school vouchers or major support to feed children from families who struggle with low-income. And they prove it time and again by thumbing their noses with their votes against how the majority of citizens wants us to vote.