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Bradley: Constitutional amendment on education brings back “rationality”
CONCORD — The proposed constitutional amendment on education that passed the Senate today, would “bring rationality back to the process” said Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley.
Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican, and business and community leaders, began the push to convince House members and then the public the constitutional amendment will stabilize the business tax climate and provide the educational foundation the state's students need in the 21st century.
The proposed amendment, which has the backing of Gov. John Lynch, is expected to face an uphill battle in the House, which approved its own language that would essentially make the Supreme Court's Claremont decisions null and void.
To date House Speaker William O'Brien has opposed including the word "responsibility" in the amendment, which is included in the Senate version.
Bradley believes House members can be convinced to support the Senate-passed version when they realize "our future is at stake."
Under the amendment, the state would be allowed to target aid to the neediest communities and do away with the per-student grants in state aid.
David Juvet, senior vice president of the Business and Industry Association, said “CACR 12 upholds New Hampshire's responsibilities, but it also provides much-needed flexibility to public policy makers.”
Besides the BIA, business groups supporting the amendment include the Retail Merchants Association, National Federation of Independent Business of NH, NH Auto Dealers Association, NH Association of insurance Agents and Ski NH.
Representatives from Hampton, New London, Rye and the Coalition Communities, comprised of property-wealthy communities opposed to the statewide property tax, also supported the Senate-passed version.
All said, the current version represents the best opportunity to put the issue before voters. Until last year, a constitutional amendment on education had never passed the House.
Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican, and business and community leaders, began the push to convince House members and then the public the constitutional amendment will stabilize the business tax climate and provide the educational foundation the state's students need in the 21st century.
The proposed amendment, which has the backing of Gov. John Lynch, is expected to face an uphill battle in the House, which approved its own language that would essentially make the Supreme Court's Claremont decisions null and void.
To date House Speaker William O'Brien has opposed including the word "responsibility" in the amendment, which is included in the Senate version.
Bradley believes House members can be convinced to support the Senate-passed version when they realize "our future is at stake."
Under the amendment, the state would be allowed to target aid to the neediest communities and do away with the per-student grants in state aid.
David Juvet, senior vice president of the Business and Industry Association, said “CACR 12 upholds New Hampshire's responsibilities, but it also provides much-needed flexibility to public policy makers.”
Besides the BIA, business groups supporting the amendment include the Retail Merchants Association, National Federation of Independent Business of NH, NH Auto Dealers Association, NH Association of insurance Agents and Ski NH.
Representatives from Hampton, New London, Rye and the Coalition Communities, comprised of property-wealthy communities opposed to the statewide property tax, also supported the Senate-passed version.
All said, the current version represents the best opportunity to put the issue before voters. Until last year, a constitutional amendment on education had never passed the House.