InDepthNH.org (https://indepthnh.org/tag/education-freedom-accounts/)
The controversial program, which is one of the most expansive voucher programs in the country, has served about 3,000 students in its first two years, and has cost the state $24 million — well over budget — with a projected cost of $30 million a year for the next biennial budget.
It is time for a little honesty about the state’s new Education Freedom Account program and who is benefitting from the use of the state’s tax dollars.
Efforts by Democrats in the House of Representatives to repeal the state’s new school voucher program lost on a 189-166 vote, Wednesday.
Lawmakers are considering joining a federal pilot program linking families on Medicaid to the free-and-reduced lunch program in public schools.
Education Freedom Accounts and lack of constraints on eligible expenses under the program were the subjects of a rules discussion by the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules Friday.
The Senate voted on a number of bills related to Education Freedom Accounts, Redistricting, bail reform and others at a busy session on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the House decided to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, preserve the new education choice program, and help communities with employee retirement costs.
The House Education Committee closely questioned those testifying on behalf of bills proposing changes to the state’s new Education Freedom Accounts on Friday.
CONCORD — The Education Freedom Account program would be forced to live within its budget this fiscal year and next under a bill heard Wednesday.