CONCORD, N.H.—The following is a statement from AFT-New Hampshire President Deb Howes on HB 533, a bill that would give Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut subpoena power concerning teachers:
“This is the epitome of government overreach, in which Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, an unelected bureaucrat, wants to grab subpoena power already vested in the attorney general to continue his harassment of teachers. Without requiring any evidence of a crime or other serious law violation, the bill would permit Edelblut to subpoena our teachers, worsening the current witch hunt atmosphere under which educators work. This legislation should be soundly rejected, and the state should focus on providing all our public schools with the resources and programs our kids need to learn and thrive. That’s what educators, parents and students want and expect from our state government.”
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For further information, please contact AFT-NH President Deb Howes at pridnt@aft-nh.org.