Rejecting EFA Voucher Accountability
The House voted to reject HB 1512 which would limit the Education Freedom Account (EFA) voucher program to budgeted amounts, and HB 1594 which would require annual review and qualification to determine eligibility to participate in the EFA voucher program.
Every argument EFA vouchers supporters make to justify treating the program different than other government assistance programs is completely disingenuous. From the moment the voucher program was first introduced, Republicans have misrepresented who it would benefit and how much additional taxpayer money would be required to fund it.
Rejecting EFA Annual Reviews
The House brushed aside HB 1654, which would require the state board of education to annually review EFA service providers for continued compliance with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
The lengths that EFA supporters will take to prevent any oversight or accountability of the taxpayer-funded program is incredible. Republicans have already blocked efforts to assure the program stays within its budget, to assure participants remain eligible based on income, and the Republican-run state Department of Education is trying to prevent an effective audit of the program from being conducted.
Repealing Divisive Concepts Aimed at NH Teachers
Backed by nearly unanimous Republican opposition in the New Hampshire House, legislation which would repeal the “divisive concepts” law restricting teaching in public schools (HB 1162) was blocked from advancement.
New Hampshire has excellent public schools, and our teachers take great pride in providing a thorough education. The reason we study the past is to understand how we got to where we are today and to help us work toward a better tomorrow.
Our state is currently struggling to recruit and retain teachers, and a recent Committee to Study New Hampshire Teacher Shortages and Recruitment Incentives found that the increased politization of teaching jobs has discouraged many from joining or remaining in the profession.
Preventing Climate Education in Schools
The House voted to indefinitely postpone HR 30, preventing any discussion about improving climate education in public schools.
The House of Representatives has historically embraced robust debate over policies that would affect our state. It is incredibly disappointing that House Republicans voted to block even discussing the idea of improving climate education in schools.