AFT-NH President Deb Howes released the following statement on Governor Ayotte's Signing of HB 1817:

"Public school students will have fewer opportunities in their local neighborhood schools, while voucher students will have more access, and local school districts will be forced to absorb the cost because of Gov. Ayotte’s decision today. By signing HB 1817, which requires school districts to allow resident voucher students to join any class, program, or extracurricular activity, Ayotte created an unfunded mandate that forces public schools to do more with less. The result for students is clear

Red Action Alert 

Ask Governor Ayotte to Veto HB 1300 (school tax caps and November ballot) 

HB 1300 is a very real threat to our public schools and students. A quick action on your part asking the Governor to veto HB 1300 could make the difference. Please take a moment to complete the necessary action. 

HB 1300 (School Tax Cap and November Elections) puts mandatory school tax caps on the ballot in every New Hampshire city and town in the State election in November. Cities and towns already have laws allowing them to adopt school property tax caps or spending caps using warrant articles at their

Legislative Session Ends 

Stay tuned for next alert

The work of this legislative session is finally done, except for Veto Day, which would be in the fall. It has been a long legislative session with dozens of attacks on public education but also a session where strong bi-partisan support for our students, our educators, and our public schools was shown. The last day of legislation was a mixed bag for us. HB 751, the school open enrollment scheme was tabled in the Senate and is done for the year. Thank you to all who reached out to their Representatives and Senators to remind them that this plan

HB 1300 has passed the House and Senate. Students will pay the price with fewer resources, fewer staff, and fewer supports in our public schools. 

This bill ignores local voters and undermines town meetings, taking decisions away from communities that know their schools and their students best.

 Stand up for public education. 

Tell the Governor to reject HB 1300 and protect our students.

Today is a huge victory for Granite State public school students. 

NH lawmakers listened to voters, put students first, and did the right thing by rejecting HB 751. By protecting local school funding, they upheld strong neighborhood public schools, respected local control, and protected taxpayers from added burden. 

This decision keeps the focus where it belongs, on giving every Granite State student the support, stability, and opportunities they need to succeed.

Critical Alert (Action Needed) 

Defeat HB 1300 (school tax caps) and HB 751 (open enrollment)

Two harmful bills are moving ahead for their final votes in the House and Senate this Thursday, June 4th after Committees of Conference met this week. The Conference Committees managed to hammer out last minute agreements on Open Enrollment (HB 751) and Mandatory School Tax Caps on the November ballot (HB 1300). Both of these bills would harm students, school districts, and all school district employees. These bills will do nothing to advance educational outcomes and will not lower anyone’s property