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May 29. 2012 8:33PM
Language of education funding amendment may be taking shape
CONCORD — House and Senate negotiators on a proposed education funding constitutional amendment promised to make language available Wednesday.
At a short conference committee meeting Tuesday, the House’s chief negotiator, Rep. Lynn Ober, R-Hudson, said House and Senate leadership and the governor’s office are continuing discussions.
“They are very close to a combine solution,” she said. “I believe we will have language tomorrow we will be releasing to everyone.”
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, the Senate’s chief negotiator, agreed and called the situation encouraging.
Earlier this year, the Senate and Gov. John Lynch reached agreement, but the House rejected similar language and instead House leadership released its version about a month ago.
A group of House members who believe the court overstepped its authority in issuing the two Claremont decisions and subsequent orders have been reluctant to accept any amendment that would continue to make education and its funding a state responsibility, but Lynch refused to accept an amendment that does not acknowledge the state’s responsibility.
The latest House proposal included the word responsibility but also made clear only lawmakers would determine education standards, accountability, how much if any money should go to education and how it would be distributed.
Lynch and Republican lawmakers have long favored an amendment that would allow the state to send more money to poor communities, while wealthy communities would receive no aid. Under the current system, all communities receive at least $3,450 per student in state aid.
For the first time, House members approved a proposed constitutional amendment on education funding last year. The Senate has approved several amendments by the needed three-fifth majority over the years, but all have failed in the House.
If lawmakers are successful this year, a two-thirds majority of general election voters will be needed to change the constitution.
The conference committee meets today at 2:30 p.m.
The deadline for conference committee work is 4 p.m. Thursday.
At a short conference committee meeting Tuesday, the House’s chief negotiator, Rep. Lynn Ober, R-Hudson, said House and Senate leadership and the governor’s office are continuing discussions.
“They are very close to a combine solution,” she said. “I believe we will have language tomorrow we will be releasing to everyone.”
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, the Senate’s chief negotiator, agreed and called the situation encouraging.
Earlier this year, the Senate and Gov. John Lynch reached agreement, but the House rejected similar language and instead House leadership released its version about a month ago.
A group of House members who believe the court overstepped its authority in issuing the two Claremont decisions and subsequent orders have been reluctant to accept any amendment that would continue to make education and its funding a state responsibility, but Lynch refused to accept an amendment that does not acknowledge the state’s responsibility.
The latest House proposal included the word responsibility but also made clear only lawmakers would determine education standards, accountability, how much if any money should go to education and how it would be distributed.
Lynch and Republican lawmakers have long favored an amendment that would allow the state to send more money to poor communities, while wealthy communities would receive no aid. Under the current system, all communities receive at least $3,450 per student in state aid.
For the first time, House members approved a proposed constitutional amendment on education funding last year. The Senate has approved several amendments by the needed three-fifth majority over the years, but all have failed in the House.
If lawmakers are successful this year, a two-thirds majority of general election voters will be needed to change the constitution.
The conference committee meets today at 2:30 p.m.
The deadline for conference committee work is 4 p.m. Thursday.
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