Story Archives of 'Education Funding'

The 18 year education funding debate is behind us.

At least that’s the message from certain corners as Governor Lynch this week signed a bill into law on school accountability.

Some see that act is the final step the state needed to take to fulfill its court mandated obligation to provide an adequate education.

But New Hampshire Public Radio’s Dan Gorenstein reports some key education players aren’t convinced the nearly two-decade fight is over.

In 2009, lawmakers will try to pay for the state’s share of school spending at a time when revenues are tighter than ever. But the legislature can’t dodge the question; if it does, the state Supreme Court will likely get involved again as unhappy districts sue. We’ll look at how the education funding debate may play out in the coming year.

Guests

• Emma Rous, Democratic state representative from Durham and chair of the House Education Committee
• Pamela Price, Republican state representative from Nashua and ranking member of the House Education Committee
• Kevin Landrigan, state house reporter for the Nashua Telegraph

Governor John Lynch has allowed the state’s latest education plan to become law without his signature.

He let it pass so the state could meet a court-imposed deadline to determine the cost an adequate education.

New Hampshire Public Radio’s Dan Gorenstein reports.

Amendment has the backing of Governor Lynch and legislative leaders in both parties, but it also has many opponents, including the teachers union, many house conservatives, and the Democratic chairs of a half-dozen House committees.

When it comes to ed funding, the legislature has arrived at where poet Robert Frost did - with “two roads diverging in the woods.” One path involves a Supreme Court deadline and reworking the current funding system; the other, a constitutional change backed by the Governor. We’ll talk about which path lawmakers may choose and why we still haven't found a way to fund education in the state.

Guests

• Josh Rogers, NHPR's Statehouse reporter
• Steve Norton, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies

We'll also hear from

• David Hess, Republican State Representative from Hooksett
• Joe Foster, New Hampshire Senate Majority Leader
• Randy Foose, Democratic State Representative from New London