AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin (2023-14)

Public School Proud   This week showed what happens when you stand by your values, stand with your allies and call on lawmakers to stand up for the people in your communities. When you fight for what’s important you win, and this week, we did - for our, public schools, communities, and local property taxpayers.

All About the Budget  At the beginning of the week, it looked like the NH House would take a vote on a state budget that was bad for public education. The budget that came out of House Finance this past week had a funding formula for public schools that hurt our communities that needed the most help, drastically expanded the over budget, unaccountable school voucher program and combined the Education Trust Fund – the dedicated piggy bank to pay for public education - with the General Fund. It also prevented new Community College System employees from joining the NH Retirement System.

Thankfully, yesterday public education champions in the legislature fought to improve the budget and bring much needed changes. The funding formula was changed in the budget so that it helps all of our communities—especially those communities that need it the most. The voucher program was removed completely from the budget. The Community College employees will continue to be able to join the NH Retirement System. Unfortunately, the amendment to separate the Education Trust Fund from the General Fund again and protect it failed BUT the budget process is not over.  There will be time for the Senate to make that change and we will need your voices to make sure that happens.

Next steps   Looking forward, we will have some key priorities including the budget and other bills to monitor.  The House did pass two bills that expanded the out of control voucher program, and of course we have the so-called parental bill of rights that was passed by the Senate now in the House. As soon as we hear the dates of the voucher bills, we will let you know.

Expanding Eligibility for Free and Reduced Lunch   HB 572  would expand the number of students eligible for free and reduced price school meals. We all know that students who are fed are better able to learn, and this bill would help do that. It has a hearing in Senate Education on Tuesday April 11 at 9:30 am.

You can sign in and support HB 572 and make sure the Senate Education Committee knows that New Hampshire supports our public school students.

Here’s the link to submit your support:   REMOTE TESTIMONY SIGN-IN

Step 1: Fill in your personal information.

Step 2: Select April 11^th at 9:30 am for HB 572.

Step 3: Select Senate Education Committee

Step 4: Select Bill Number (HB 572)

Step 5: Select a member of the public and you are representing yourself.

Step 6:  Select SUPPORT.

Step 7: Click Submit.

ONE-CLICK ACTION TO DEFEAT SB 272

The Senate version of the so-called Parental Bill of Rights bill is on the horizon.   This bill, SB 272,  is being heard April 18^th at 10:00 am before the House Education Committee. Please click HERE to contact members of the House Education Committee and let them know you OPPOSE SB 272.

As AFT-NH President Deb Howes testified during the Senate hearing on this bill, “We need our students to feel safe at school and to have their school be a place they feel welcome. We need students to have a level of trust in their teachers and be willing to take academic risks by working hard on challenging learning tasks. For the sake of their well-being, and perhaps their very survival, we also need for students to know that they can turn to their teachers or school staff to be a trusted adult – especially if they don’t have one in their home. SB 272 erodes trust and will diminish the quality of some students’ educational experience and cause them to lose a place and person that feels safe to them.”

Please CONTACT THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE and let them know you oppose this damaging legislation.

Thank you for your continued efforts to stand up for our public schools and students.

For breaking news and other legislative information, please be sure to like us on Facebook at AFT New Hampshire or follow us on Twitter @AFTNewHampshire to receive the latest news.  Please share this with friends so they can sign up for this bulletin at http://nh.aft.org/.

You can also read written testimony submitted to the legislature at STATE HOUSE NEWS.

UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS