HB520

As one NH teachers' union said: This commissioner has gone out of his way to create a negative relationship with New Hampshire public school educators… We simply do not trust him with the power of a subpoena - especially with the limited checks contained in this bill.

The Republican support for this bill - and so many others this session - is indicative of their disdain for public education. If the current requirements for school administrators are not enough, the Justice Department would push even more work onto the Department of Education. It would also give the Department of Education purview in a field they have no experience with: investigation. Let schools and local law enforcement handle the infrequent instances of questionable behavior by school personnel.

The office of the consumer advocate is vital to protecting the consumers of New Hampshire. As we have seen time and time again, corporations are out for profits at the expense of the consumer. We need to keep departments that advocate for consumer rights.

Once again Commissioner Edelblute is seeking to expand his authority. This bill is designed to intimidate and if passed would represent legislative overreach. Vote to OPPOSE this bill.

This bill is a radical infringement of personal human rights. We're not Russia!

We do not want New Hampshire to become like Russia where neighbors report on neighbors and free speech is not honored.

This bill is counter to the ideal and spirit of liberty in New Hampshire. I oppose this measure.

I oppose this bill because I do not understand why the commissioner of education should have subpoena power. If it was necessary to acquire documents or testimony in a court case, it would be possible for the Department of Education to request that a judge issue a subpoena. It seems very plausible that this power could be used to advance personal or political grievances, and therefore I believe that it would be better for it to remain as a power held by the courts.

This bill circumvents the Dept of Justice to give outsized power to the Dept of Education - expressely the current commissioner of Education.

I oppose this bill because the education commissioner has shown he intends to use his office for political ends rather than serving the education system of New Hampshire in an unbiased way. Giving the commissioner subpoena power is unnecessary and unwarranted.

This bill is meant to intimidate.

Giving Edelblut, who hates public education and teachers, the power of subpoena is a terrible idea. This is an abuse of power that is also outside of the legal boundaries of the Department of Education.

I oppose this bill This is giving too much power to the department of Education. I don't trust the commissioner since he is so anti public schools.

I strongly oppose this bill. The Dept of Ed has no business issuing subpeonas.

Leave subpoenas in the hands of the Department of Justice. There is no need for the department of education to have that power.

This could lead to intimidation and punishment of teachers if there were ideologues bent on imposing their will on the system. This could lead to political based retribution against teachers.

The amount of absurdity that you put in this bill is incomprehensible. You are not focusing on actual problems, and are feeding into a false narrative. I absolutely do NOT support this bill. We don't need our teachers afraid to teach. We don't need you telling the public they should be breathing down teachers' backs when they are just trying to do their jobs! What you're doing is creating a red scare but instead of actual communists, you're encouraging people to fear educators!

I am strongly opposed to this unnecessary bill as the commissioner has done nothing but create a negative rapport with our teachers who deserve so much better! Constituents do not trust him with the power of a subpeona!

I'm a lifelong learner and committed to full access to written materials in the schools.

I oppose this bill.

This is an overreach of the Office of Education and just another attempt to intimidate teachers.

My opposition was sent via email to the Members of the House Education Policy and Administration Committee.

The Department of education should not be harassing school employees. As a former school teacher of 35 years in NH, teachers have so many things to be concerned with. Adding looking over their shoulders all the time is unnecessary. Principals are charged with ensuring they do their jobs.

Hello, I oppose HB520 because this unnecessary bill would empower Frank Edelblut to issue subpoenas to harass educators and local school committees. If Mr. Edelblut has opinions, he does not need to harass public officials with subpoenas, he has plenty of civiized options. thank you

Hello, please do not further this bill or similar that would lead to potential harassment or intimidation of educators in New Hampshire. This is contrary to the constructive and positive education of NH children. Thank you for listening.