Last week the New Hampshire Supreme Court sent the Con-Val school district suit regarding the cost of an adequate education back to a trial judge. This case deals with whether the New Hampshire Legislature is meeting the constitutional right to an adequate education with current $3636 per pupil adequacy funding.

Adding more uncertainty, the Senate has currently tabled SB 130, the school voucher giveaway of public funds for private and home school students. On March 18, the Senate made several amendments to the bill but did not send it to the Senate finance committee where it could receive an assessment of the cost to taxpayers. The bill was tabled but not finished, since it could reemerge as part of the budget bill later without the scrutiny of costs. This is a favorite tactic of the legislature to avoid having to justify to the public the cost of a program. If this bill passes, you can expect to see an increase in your property taxes.

Senator Regina Birdsell promised when running for office that she was opposed to any tax increases. Yet she voted repeatedly for this bill without the cost analysis. I would urge the Senator to reconsider her support of SB130.

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