Before getting to the “call to action” I would like to include a reminder about the school voucher program, which is a program using public money to fund private school expenses. This cannot be said enough! Here in New Hampshire, it is run by Children's Scholarship Fund, an organization that manages and administers the voucher program. They have never had to publicly show that students who use vouchers are getting a proper education while making relevant age or grade level academic progress each year in exchange for the taxpayer money they receive.
In addition, the NH Dept. of Education has not allowed state auditors in to access program data as required by law! What are they hiding?
On May 8th, SB 295 came up for a vote in the House. This proposed bill removes the income cap for the hated vouchers, which means it would become a free for all at the expense of taxpayers. Earlier on line opposition to this bill was 919 to 37 who supported it. Before the vote, Rep. Joe “if you are in NH illegally, you are NOT welcome in NH” Sweeney made the motion to curtail further debate on the bill, effectively cutting off any discussion of why this is terrible legislation for the state. By a 12 vote majority, the bill passed 188-176. It is now headed to the House Finance Committee. Democrat Rep. Dick Ames was one of those who was denied the right to speak. Here is his denied floor speech:
Draft for 5/8/25 Speech by Rep. Dick Ames Against SB 295. Prepared but Not Delivered due to passage of Majority Leader’s Motion to Limit Debate on May 8, 2025
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise to speak against SB 295, a bill that seeks to eliminate the income-based restrictions that currently limit access to New Hampshire’s state-funded school voucher program.
This move to universal eligibility will trigger a steep rise in state costs. Tens of millions, probably more than 100 million, taxpayer dollars per year will be required to fund new Education Freedom Accounts. Much of that money will then be paid out to support religious schools.
The New Hampshire Constitution provides in Article VI of its Bill of Rights that “no person shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support of the schools of any sect or denomination.” And it further provides in Part Second, Article 83 , that “no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination.”
These New Hampshire constitutional provisions are not honored in New Hampshire’s EFA program. Many large and small religious schools are already recipients of significant sums of taxpayer-funded EFAs. And the education provided to students at those schools is in fact significantly guided by profoundly sectarian precepts.
For example, one Christian academy where a majority of its students are supported in part by EFAs requires “as a regular part of the curriculum [that] each student will be taught Christian doctrine … based on the Bible, as the textbook authority for such instruction and learning." And another Christian school, also with a large proportion of EFA supported students, asserts that “the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively; … that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species.”
Some members of this body may believe that recent US Supreme Court rulings have effectively cancelled out our New Hampshire constitutional prohibitions on direct taxpayer funding of sectarian schools. But our state constitutional provisions have never been effectively challenged in court and remain as controlling law in New Hampshire.
And as we consider the continuing vitality of these foundational constitutional provisions, let us never forget that separation of church and state is essential to religious freedom because it ensures every individual can practice their chosen faith without government interference or coercion.
I also note, in closing, the breathtaking fiscal irresponsibility of this EFA expansion proposal given current fiscal realities. The budget process this year has revealed disturbing shortfalls in our ability to fund many essential needs. To take just one huge example, before going any further down this unconstitutional EFA road, we must first meet our unmet constitutional obligations to provide and fund a constitutionally adequate education to all children enrolled in our traditional public schools.
I therefore ask that you vote against the pending Ought to Pass motion on SB 295.
Now for the “Call to Action,” bills brought about by members of the extremist group, Liberty Alliance.
On Tues., May 13th, HB 356 goes for a public hearing in the Senate. The Election Law and Municipal Affairs is the committee. This bill will allow school districts to choose whether they want to enact partisan school district elections or not. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT-NH) opposes this bill. School district elections need to be and should remain non-partisan.
SUBMIT YOUR POSITION TO A SENATE COMMITTEE HERE.
· Fill in your Personal Information
· Select the correct date and committee for the hearing by clicking on it in the Meeting Schedule Calendar. Select Bill # and the date.
· In the drop box below "Select the Committee," select committee.
· In the drop box below "Choose the Bill," select the correct time and bill number.
· Select the correct option for the "I am" drop box (likely "Member of the Public").
· Fill in the content box under "I'm Representing" with the business, organization, or group you are representing. If you are representing yourself only, write "myself."
· Under the “Indicate Your Position on this Bill,” check the circle stating your position. “I Oppose this Bill” or “I Support this Bill”
· After filling in all the appropriate drop boxes, click “Submit.”
· You will then be brought to the next page, fill in the content boxes with your first and last name, your town, state, and email address.
· Press “Continue.”
· If you wish to speak during the hearing you need to attend in person at the State House, but you can upload your testimony if you cannot attend.
On Thurs., May 15th, SB 520 goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee. This is the bill authorizing the Dept. of Education commissioner to issue subpoenas and already went through the House, passing by a vote of 193-155. Another terrible bill opposed by the AFT-NH. Please submit your opposition to HB 520 by clicking here. Follow the instructions as given above.
Thank you for your continued support of public education.
