Health & Fitness
Governor Hassan vs. Kids and Taxpayers
Governor seeks action to deprive less fortunate of receiving a great education. Inaccurately claims cost factor when savings are in fact the reality. Disputes findings of a Supreme Court.
The author outlines a number of valid and indisputable facts concerning this impending bill. It is sad to note that the public is being served erroneous and misleading information by opponents of the bill who apparently are unconcerned about less fortunate children in NH receiving a better education.
Excellent information regarding the important education bill. With permission of the author Jason Bedrick, Policy Analyst Cato Institute. Portions of which are below.
"In her budget address before the legislature last Thursday, Governor Maggie Hassan pledged to repeal the nascent Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA). The law grants tax credits to businesses for contributions to non-profit scholarship organizations that fund low- and middle-income students attending independent and home schools.
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If the governor’s goal is saving money, as she claims, then she should oppose the repeal. The fiscal note prepared by the governor’s own Department of Education states that repealing the OSA would increase state expenditures by over $550,000 more than it would increase tax revenue.
Even accounting for the maximum number of scholarships that can be awarded to students currently attending an independent school, the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy estimates that the OSA would save the state $8.3 million over the next four years. A repeal would eliminate those saving.
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Gov. Hassan also errs in her claim that the OSA “diverts taxpayer money” because she confuses private donations with government expenditures. In response to a challenge to Arizona’s scholarship tax credit law, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2011 that contributions to charitable organizations are private funds, whether or not they qualify for a tax credit or deductions and increase costs.
The Opportunity Scholarship Act empowers low-income families to choose the education that best meets the individual needs of their children. In the process, the state saves money. If passed, the governor’s hasty and ill-considered repeal would harm low-income children and taxpayers. Let us hope that the Granite State’s elected representatives exercise sound judgment when deciding the fate of the program this week."
I hope everyone who is concerned about a great education for everyone in NH will call their representatives and the Governor and ask them to vote AGAINST repeal of this very important legislation.
