New Hampshire Republicans should use their strong legislative majorities this year to put before the voters two very important constitutional amendment questions. Both fit well with their economy-focused agenda.

The first addresses and corrects the ticking time bomb of Claremont education-funding decisions that, sooner rather than later, will force New Hampshire into a massive broadbased tax.

This issue has been fought over for years. A Democratic majority defied its own governor, John Lynch, in rejecting an amendment a few years ago. Of late, some House Republicans have made the perfect enemy of the good and have thus far rejected wording that accomplishes the main objective. That is to have the Legislature — not the courts — be the decision-maker in terms of how much state aid is given to local school districts and how that aid is apportioned.

The state would return to its historical role of providing targeted aid to communities that really need it. This would end the spectacle of property-rich towns getting aid they don’t need while some property-poor towns still go begging for the basics. It would also reverse court mandates that the state must pay for every dollar of an “adequate education.”

It would also give the courts constitutional pause before trying to impose any more of their unelected opinions of how New Hampshire should provide for public education.

The second amendment question may be just as important in terms of keeping the New Hampshire low-tax, low-government advantage. It would return the Legislature to biennial sessions. (Note: The House's version can be found by clicking here, while the Senate's is here

The state still does very well, thank you, by means of a biennial budget. Indeed, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen is now pushing her U.S. Senate colleagues to look at adopting a two-year federal budget.

No doubt Shaheen cringed, though, when Texas Gov. Rick Perry suggested that Congress be made part time.

But Texas does well with a legislature that has just one session every two years. New Hampshire managed to do the same, until some legislators decided they would like to be in session every year. They crafted a deceptively worded constitutional amendment that was passed in the 1970s.

Has New Hampshire government gotten better since? We would say no. It has caused more legislation to be filed. It has dissuaded some good people from running for legislator simply because they can’t afford so much time away from jobs, homes, and families.

Already this year some fine state senators have announced they are leaving because of the legislative work load. Now is the perfect opportunity for House Speaker Bill O’Brien, Senate President Peter Bragdon, and the Republican majorities to show the people they mean what they say about small government.

Both of these are issues on which the people would, and should, have the final say.