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Saturday, February 20, 2021

Good News from New Hampshire: Legislature Postpones Voucher Bill to Next Year | Diane Ravitch's blog

Good News from New Hampshire: Legislature Postpones Voucher Bill to Next Year | Diane Ravitch's blog
Good News from New Hampshire: Legislature Postpones Voucher Bill to Next Year




As a result of strong opposition, Republicans who control the New Hampshire legislature decided to postpone consideration of their “number one priority,” school vouchers. Under consideration was the most sweeping voucher bill in the nation. Thousands of people signed up to testify against the legislation.

A bill to create a school voucher-like system in New Hampshire is poised to be kicked to 2022, after Republicans on the House Education Committee said that it needed more time.

In a 20-0 vote Thursday, the committee recommended that the bill be retained, a move that if approved by the full House next week would put off any decision-making until next year’s session.

House Bill 20, named the “Richard ‘Dick’ Hinch education freedom account program” after the late House speaker, was a top priority for House Republicans this year. The proposal would allow parents to withdraw their children from public school and take the per-pupil state money with them.

Under the bill, that state funding, which amounts to $3,700 to $8,000 per student depending on the school, could then be used by the parents for a number of CONTINUE READING: Good News from New Hampshire: Legislature Postpones Voucher Bill to Next Year | Diane Ravitch's blog