Reactions from around the state to the Supreme Court's ruling on New Hampshire's education funding system.
NHPR invites you to submit your own reactions to the ruling by posting a comment here.
"I don't agree with the approach the court suggested, that as a state we should look at the minimum required to educate our children... which is what they asked us to do - go back and determine the absolute minimum that you all can offer for an adequate education." - Governor John Lynch
"The latest Supreme Court ruling has made it clear that a constitutional amendment is an essential component of a permanent solution. I will provide the leadership necessary to get one on the ballot and get it passed." - Jim Coburn, Republican candidate for Governor and state representative
"Talk about an unconstitutional act... they can threaten all they want. They can't legally take over unless they decide that anything they say is constitutional is constitutional, regardless of what the constitution says." - State Senate Majority Leader Robert Clegg
"It is clear that the court has provided a roadmap to define, cost out, fund, and ensure accountability for providing an adequate education... The time is now to devote our collective efforts to education before the end of the 2007 legislative session and urge lawmakers to follow the roadmap this decision provides." - New Hampshire Communities for Adequate Funding of Education, the coalition of schools and towns which challenged the funding system in court
"It is time for the Legislature to step up to the plate and pass a constitutional amendment that will make it clear that the New Hampshire Legislature and not the courts will have the final say in education funding in New Hampshire." - State House Majority Leader Mike O'Neil
"The Legislture cannot escape this sword of Damocles by defining 'adequate education' and shuffling money from town to town. The court made perfectly clear on Friday that the state could not use any local money to fund whatever the court ultimately decides is an 'adequate education.' In short, the Supreme Court is about to force a broad-based tax upon New Hampshire. There is no other way the state can meet the Claremont dictates." - New Hampshire Union Leader editorial
"This is a ruling that's long overdue, setting a solid deadline that provides the kick in the pants the Legislature needs to come up with a real bipartisan solution to the Granite State's perpetual education funding mess. We urge lawmakers to regard it not as an ultimatum, but a positive challenge to finally achieve an equitable solution to a problem that goes back many decades." - Eagle-Tribune editorial
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