The big NH issue isn't presidential

There are three flaws in the editorial below with regard to the amendment.

First, it writes the very flawed Claremont decision into the constitution. Second, it will guarantee an income tax or other tax to cover the educrats spending addiction. Third, it will not prevent future lawsuits by the Big Ed establishment. If Democrats and Republicans really want to work together they need to fight the education interest groups. There is no logical explanation as to why school money should not follow the child instead of the institution except to pander to education special interest groups. If teachers and administrations really cared about New Hampshire's children they would write school choice into the constitution instead of this dreadful court decision. Claremont I, Claremont II and the Londonderry Decision were about greed not about the best interests of New Hampshire's Children.

New Hampshire is ranked number 3 in student performance in the nation at it's current rate of spending and with its funding structure. Why change the funding system to one that is failing students in other states? Our Government Schools have a spending problem and not a funding problem. Unless we stop the spending spree no amendment in the world will fix the underlying problems plaguing New Hampshire government schools.



The below editorial appeared in the Union Leader.

Editorial: The big NH issue isn't presidential
By JOSEPH W. MCQUAID
New Hampshire Union Leader Publisher
10 hours, 43 minutes ago

A lot of national attention will be paid New Hampshire this week, underlining our important role in presidential primary politics. But there is a much more vital local issue facing our state. If it is not handled in reasonable, bipartisan fashion, the timing of primaries will be the least of our worries.

Key legislators from both parties appear close to acceptable wording on a constitutional amendment proposal that would, finally, allow the PEOPLE of New Hampshire to affirm their belief that the state's role in education funding is to target limited aid, not pick up the whole tab.

We believe the people would wholeheartedly ratify such an amendment and would give credit where it would be due -- to the Republicans who have long favored it and also to Gov. John Lynch and those Democrats who have now agreed that an amendment is needed to negate a far-wrong state supreme court ruling.

The amendment proposal may not satisfy everyone. We have heard that one side worries that the other will claim all the credit for it.

This is way too important for New Hampshire to be viewed in partisan terms. If the amendment proposal is to succeed, it is going to take Republicans and Democrats who appreciate the New Hampshire Advantage.

Believe it or not, on this most important issue, that sort of consensus was once the norm. If Republican leader Mike Whalley and Democratic Finance Chair Marjorie Smith -- along with Gov. Lynch -- put their heads together this weekend, it can be done again. If they don't, New Hampshire will have lost its best chance to finally resolve this long, wasteful battle that threatens the very essence of our state.