NH House Votes To Reverse Ruling For Adequate School Funding
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire's House has voted to reverse a landmark 1997 New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling that required the state to adequately fund public education.
The House voted 252-113 Wednesday to send a proposed constitutional amendment to the Senate.
Republican House Speaker William O'Brien proposed the amendment that would give lawmakers discretion to decide how much, if anything, to pay in school aid. O'Brien argues the court stripped local control of education by shifting responsibility to the state.
O'Brien's amendment would let lawmakers target aid to the neediest communities and would nullify the court's ruling requiring the state to provide an adequate education to all public schoolchildren.
To amend the condition, 60 percent of lawmakers must approve the proposal, which would then have to be approved by two-thirds of state voters.
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