Democrat-backed efforts to repeal, reduce, or restrict the Education Freedom Account program failed in the GOP-controlled House, NH Journal reported. Nearly 2,000 children had enrolled in EFAs since the program launched the prior June.
The report described the outcome of the session’s fight, according to NH Journal.
The battle over Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) appears to be over, at least for this session year, as Democrat-backed attempts to repeal, reduce, or restrict the popular program failed in the GOP-controlled House.
NH Journal
The state education commissioner thanked lawmakers after the votes.
“I am thankful for the actions of the legislature, supporting children and families, as well as taxpayers. They are the heroes today,” Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut tweeted following votes on several attempts to curtail policies he championed.
NH Journal
The program’s administrator detailed how quickly enrollment had grown, NH Journal noted.
“We were able to launch the EFA program in record time and enroll almost 2,000 children, which is proof that the need for educational opportunities was and is urgent in New Hampshire.”
NH Journal
House Republicans were nearly unanimous in defending the program.
House Republicans overwhelmingly agreed, with 188 voting to defend the EFAs while just three — James Allard (R-Pittsfield), Bonnie Ham (R-North Woodstock), and Dan Wolf (R-Newbury) — voted with the Democrats.
NH Journal
Advocates framed the outcome as a win for families across the income scale.
New Hampshire students now have access to educational options that were once only available to children of wealthy parents,” Sarah Scott from Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire said in a statement.
NH Journal
Opponents took a different view of the program’s scope, per NH Journal.
“New Hampshire now has the most expansive school voucher program in the country,” Rep. Marjorie Porter (D-Hillsborough) told the House Wednesday in a speech
NH Journal
Read the full story at NH Journal.
