For Immediate Release Contact: July 25, 2023 Deb Howes, president@aft-nh.org
603-930-9248
Kelly Ayotte’s Commitment to Universal Voucher Program is Disqualifying
CONCORD, N.H.— In announcing her candidacy for Governor Yesterday, Kelly Ayotte showed how out of touch she is with the wants and needs of most Granite State students, families, and local property taxpayers. She touted a universal school voucher program as one of her highest priorities. AFT-NH President Deb Howes released the following statement:
“The voucher program in New Hampshire is already over budget, lacks any accountability, and has not proven to increase educational outcomes for Granite State students. Yesterday, Kelly Ayotte declared that she endorsed a universal voucher program which would take even more money away from the local neighborhood public schools which the vast majority of parents depend on to educate their children. Worse, the universal voucher program would raise the property taxes of hard-working Granite Staters to give a tax break to the ultra-wealthy so they can send their kids to Phillips Exeter and St. Paul’s. New Hampshire deserves a governor who will stand up for all of our students and whose mission will be to finally meet the state’s obligation to fully fund all public schools so they can best serve all New Hampshire students and families”