Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Lynch discussed fixing the education funding system in New Hampshire today.
As New Hampshire Public Radio's Raquel Maria Dillon reports, Lynch's plan was short on details, and long on promoting the leadership qualities he says he could bring to the debate as Governor.
Speaking at an empty elementary school in Manchester, John Lynch promised to eliminate the statewide property tax as soon as possible. He described it as a "gimmick" that uses local property tax dollars to make it look like the state is providing more aid to schools than it actually is. Lynch said he'd rework the aid distribution formula to target needy school districts – without cutting current overall aid levels.
LYNCH :26 this election presents clear and fundamental choices on education. A choice between strengthening our state's commitment to education or abandoning it. A choice between eliminating the statewide property tax or keeping it. A choice between keeping our promises to our children or cutting state aid to education. A choice between leadership that brings people together to make progress, or elected officials who break their promises and divide us.
Lynch pledged to veto any attempt to reduce current overall spending on education. And if the state is faced with a shortfall like in the last budget, he said he'd support hiking the cigarette tax to fulfill his promise. He also says New Hampshire needs to move past the concept of providing an "adequate education" to students.
LYNCH :14 I'm intentionally using the word quality education. I don't like the word adequate. I don't know which parents among us today would want our kids to have an adequate education. We want our kids to have a quality education.
Lynch says his new standard would be based on models in other states. But he didn't go into specifics, or explain exactly how he'd redistribute and maintain state aid. Instead, a roster of local school board-members, teachers, city councilmen, and prominent legislative leaders – including Republicans – sang his praises. Here's Derry School Superintendent John Moody:
MOODY :19 John Lynch respects the views of others, seeks consensus, and believes in the value of each person. It's time for a reasoned approach to ed funding. John Lynch is the right person, in the right place at the right time, and I fully support his candidacy. FADE APPLAUSE
Lynch's argument was that good leadership in the Statehouse would bring everyone to the table to solve the state's ongoing education funding crisis.
LYNCH :13 I will be providing the leadership to make sure that this happens. That's what I can do. As I've shown here today. Bringing people together in a bipartisan way to solve problems. It's all about leadership. That's what I believe I can do and I will do as Governor of NH.
Lynch's Democratic rival, State Representative Paul McEachern, says Lynch's approach to education funding was nearly indistinguishable from Governor Benson's. Both say they can get rid of the state-wide property tax, but neither has proposed an alternative source of revenue. McEachern says the solution to education funding – is replacing the property tax with an income tax.
McEACHERN :16 he is ignoring elephant in living room – the crisis in financing education. I want to fund education fairly, with a tax based on ability to pay. We have an income tax now except it's not fair.
Meanwhile, Governor Craig Benson's spokesman, Keith Herman, said Lynch's approach will result in higher local property taxes.
HERMAN :12 john lynch has promised to take away money from towns, he'll change distribution formula, he doesn't say what towns will get less, what will get more. Once again, whole bunch of rhetoric, but not telling truth to NH voters.
And in a glimpse of the tone voters can expect in the race for governor (should Lynch survive the primary) Herman dismissed Lynch's plan "hogwash".
For NHPR News, I'm RMD.
