The New Hampshire Senate has voted against extending the state's kindergarten construction program. The measure fell on a twelve to twelve vote.
The Senate deadlock leaves the state?s kindergarten program tabled and in jeopardy. The program is perhaps the signature legislative accomplishment of former Governor Jeanne Shaheen. If allowed to continue, the construction program would earmark up to 3 million dollars in matching grants to help communities establish public kindergarten over the next two years. According to Senate Majority leader Robert Clegg, times have changed, and the program has outlived its usefulness.
"We?ve had five years?..Those who want it have it. Those who don?t, don?t. It?s time to shut down some of these programs and fund the ones we really need to fund."
Senator Jack Barnes, whose hometown of Raymond has repeatedly rejected state assisted kindgergaten also believes the program should die. Barnes said the looming budget gap makes it imperative for lawmakers to focus on the state?s bottom line.
"Let the citizens pay for it themselves if they decide that they want it. This legislature should not be tucking that 3 million dollars away we can certainly use in a lot of diffent places that were gonna find out between now and June."
But other senators said the concerns over money were somewhat misplaced. Lebanon democrat Clif Below stressed the programs effect on the budget is only a potential one.
"This three million is not money that?s available. It?s only bonding authority. If the distircs don?t? vote for it the bonds won?t be issued ? it won?t be needed."
Below and other supporters also argue that republican leadership is oversimplifying when they say no more towns want to create kindergarten. They say five towns are already planning to vote on kindergarten next year. Senate minority leader Sylvia Larsen says to cut state support is a step in the wrong direction.
"It?s a joke in the rest of the nation that NH somehow doesn?t value kindergarten. Other states are looking at preschool."
Supporters of the bill say they haven?t given up. Six democrats and six republicans already support the bill. All they need is one more republican?..and the program would survive.
