HB1714

I am registering my opposition to the proposed amendment to HB 1300 (#2026-0093h) that is a backdoor effort to resurrect state-level school budget caps.

I oppose the bill and the amendment.

I oppose HB1714

Not a good solution to fund public education

It is irresponsible and prohibited by statute to be funding operating costs through debt.

We should be funding our public schools by rescinding payments to citizens for home schooling or private schools. Our government should be funding education for all students in public school rather than continuing to take funding away. This bill proposes to “kick the bucket down the road” proposing to pay these bills in the future. NH is already looking at a big deficit in spending this year, We need to find ways to pay our bills now rather than taxing people in the future to pay the bills incurred today.

I oppose HB 1714 because it borrows money to paper over the state’s failure to properly fund education, saddling taxpayers with long-term debt and interest instead of fixing the real problem.

NH is one of the richest states. Instead of issuing a $1 billion bond, how about reinstating taxes on the wealthiest corporations and individuals in this state. If they were to pay their fair share, NH could adequately fund education. It seems like we are trying to do everything to avoid fairly taxing the wealthiest. Everyone should pay their fair share. That is not happening now.

A $1+ Billion bond issuance?! Can this body be any more fiscally IRRESPONSIBLE than using debt financing to address a multi-generational funding gap? You are saddling our state with ever high property taxes from now to eternity if you pass this bird-brained scheme. Shame on you! I firmly and unequivocally urge you to oppose HB 1714.

Operational costs should not be bond funded, endemnifying citizens for future costs.

This bill represents the height of fiscal irresponsibility. Taxes are bad enough but this is a tax that we will have to.pay interest on top of. And using a bond to fund operations is crazy. I am shocked that Republicans who claim the mantle of financial prudence would touch this thing with a ten foot pole.

Wait a minute—first you divert public education dollars to wealthy families and private schools, and now you want to take out a loan to cover it? That’s fiscal insanity. WHY? Why do you present bills and votes against your own towns and neighbors? You are intentionally bankrupting this state - WHY?

This bill just pushes expenses to future citizens of the state of New Hampshire. The debt load for the state would increase significantly possibly affecting the state’s debt rating. Maybe put more restrictions on the school voucher system.

We need to properly fund our public schools rather than continue to set aside moneys for privately-run schools. Education should be available to all. It's an investment in our future.

Educational funding must be continually paid. It should not be funded by a loan.

It is irresponsible for the state to borrow money to meet its responsibilities when it has persisted in abandoning sources of revenue that should be used, all in order to benefit the wealthy and large corporations.

It is fiscally irresponsible to fund a recurring expense with debt. The State of New Hampshire is underfunding public eduction by $500 jmillion every year. In the most recent budget $35 million was cut from NH’s University system resulting in tuition increases for students and major cuts in programs. Property taxes are sky-high because schools must be funding by property taxes instead of with State Funds. It is time for the legislature to be fiscally responsible. Do not borrow money that will be paid for over 20 years,. Do your job. Provide revenue sources to pay for vital services. Vote no on this bill!!

This bill relies on state debt as a temporary workaround instead of delivering a stable, equitable solution to fund public education.

Bonding is only appropriate for capital investment. We cannot be putting future taxpayers on the hook for present day expenses.

Issuing a long-term bond for any operating expense is fiscally irresponsible and a really bad idea.