While this is a “call to action” it is also a timely reminder the legislature is ready and eager to expand vouchers for the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us. Additionally, the budget just passed by the House makes cuts to programs and healthcare for citizens all across New Hampshire.
On Tuesday, May 6th, the Senate Finance Committee will be holding their only public hearing on the budget. The hearing is anticipated to go into the evening so if you work during the day and want to personally express your opinion at the State House you should be able to do so. This budget is critical and from a public education standpoint, it fails again to have the state fulfill its constitutional duty to public school students to adequately fund public education in NH. Instead, they included another increase to the unaudited, unaccountable, unproven and wasteful school voucher program for families who have no need of public funding for private, religious schools.
But there’s more . . .
There are Medicaid cuts, increased costs for CHIP (Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program) which means higher healthcare costs for all of us, while worsening health outcomes across NH. This budget also cuts the Office of the Child Advocate, responsible for protecting children across the state.
This budget makes destructive cuts to the University System of NH, which already receives the least funding of any in the country. If we want the next generation to stay in NH we need a robust University System. They are important to the whole state.
Tell the Senate Finance Committee this budget is a failure and they must fund our universities and public schools and protect kids! Tell them to oppose the budget as drafted by the House. We can all let them know, through submitted opposition, this budget hurts NH families and they need to do better!
Please click here to submit your opposition to the budget. You will need to go to Tues., May 6th, Senate Finance Committee and register your opposition to HB 2. This is a critical time in the budget approval process and the Finance Committee needs to hear from thousands of NH voters!
Thank you for participating in this very important issue which affects us all.