Dancing Around Education Funding

The education funding crisis in New Hampshire is almost as predictable as dance steps.

The Legislature passes a plan. The court rejects the plan. Lawmakers try changing the constitution.

Last week, a Superior Court judge ruled the state's most recent education funding plan- designed by Senate President Ted Gatsas- is unconstitutional.

And now, Gatsas is introducing...a constitutional amendment.

T.28
1:31 I think what it is saying is that the legislature will determine what an equitable or an adequate education is.

Gatsas, who says he is tired of hearing about an adequate education, wants only the Legislature to determine what is fair and sufficient.

Andru Volinsky, a lead attorney in the Claremont cases, says as drafted the constitutional amendment would allow the Legislature to fund education at its discretion.

6:53 so if the Legislature...decided they wanted to spend a dollar on education this year. And ten million next year and four dollars the year after that. I think the argument that would be the Legislature's sole right and authority to determine.

T.12
1:33 the Legislature is the closest to the people, know what the needs are of the local community...

Senator Gatsas.

...people are worried the state is not going to send money to the communities. I don't think for one second today's legislature or any legislature in the future is not going to send anything back to the local communities. I don't think that is ever going to happen.

14 of the 16 Republicans are co-sponsoring the amendment.

Gatsas needs one more Senator to get his measure past the Senate.

Senate Democratic leader Sylvia Larsen doubts that precious final vote will come from her ranks.

That leaves Republican Senators Robert Letourneau and Bob O'Dell.

O'Dell, who represents Claremont- one of the towns to successfully sue the state over education funding- says it will be an uphill battle to persuade him.

T.14
1:36 I would have to be convinced in the end a constitutional amendment could be passed by the people of NH. And the guarantees of making sure young people in NH, had an equal opportunity for a good education.

Even if the measure does pass the Senate it needs the support of 60% of all House members.

Similar measures have failed in that chamber in the past.

Republican Representative Fran Wendleboe, part of House leadership, doesn't think this time will be any different.

:53 short of the governor, and the Speaker and Senate President and majority leaders getting together and come up with some compromise language, it would be extremely difficult to get 60% of the House to vote for a constitutional amendment.

The Senate has until Wednesday to decide whether he dance will go on.

For NHPR News, I'm DG.