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Looks like Speaker Norelli has engineered an amendment to the Lynch Amendment that would keep court oversight in play.
Norelli said the new amendment would not stop any individual or community from challenging the constitutionality of the state's definition of adequacy or its aid system.
The Democratic speaker said weakening court oversight would be a deal-breaker for her party.
"Most Democrats in the House would not support that," she said.
Though future is uncertain...
Lynch
Lynch applauded the House for crafting an amendment that allows targeting, but did not say whether he supports its passage.
"I have to review it in more detail," he said.
Hess
"We have told the governor with a properly worded amendment we can deliver 120 votes," he said.
But Hess said the House leaders' proposal may not meet that test.
Poor odds
Over the past decade, 33 school funding amendments have died in the Legislature, Norelli said. Each house must pass an amendment by a three-fifths margin for it to reach voters, two-thirds of whom must endorse it for it to become part of the constitution.
More of the same?
Dean Michener, associate director of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, said the new amendment would return to that era {Claremont}.
"I see no protection here for the average district of the state. We would be back where we were similar to foundation aid," he said.
Kudos to Norelli for insuring court oversight remains, a point stuck in the craw of many I have spoken with about the issue. Only time will tell if it is enough to garner the needed support to get it out of the House. And then, of course, if the solution is up to the problem.
Who would you vote for ? This 100% arbitrary selection of candidates was based solely on prejudices...they are either Declared,Undeclared,Drafted,Rumored,
... or I want them for my Fantasy Team.
First off, in real life I am a Steve Marchand supporter, and endorsed him publicly. After reading about the 'Draft Jeannie" effort by former Chair Kathy Sullivan, I got to thinking. If elect-ability is what this is about, then what about John Lynch for Senate ? Who cares if he has not declared, there are some quite close to him who (rumor has it) think he should do it. Let me be clear again. John Lynch is not among them. But hey can we tawk ??
Who won the Governor's race with 76% of the vote ?
Who has been the most popular politician ever, of either party in New Hamsphire ?
Who did not support a Sales Tax ?
Who has not lost an election to Johnnie E. ?
Okay Judy don't get apoplectic...I am talking theoretical here... I didn't think he would ever run, or even consider it until yesterday. But in politics you've got to know when it's your time, and Lynch has generally had an exquisite sense of timing. I have always supported him, as I did Jeannie, with my effort, time, and available cash. They are both more cautious, and more successful in politics than I'll ever be. But I can't help wondering about this. My gut says Jeannie would not have a cakewalk, that Marchand can do it, Katrina might be a good Senator but she's not a good candidate, and Buckey is too new to judge.
In my virtual election, Lynch would flatten Sununu, and get us a very important Senate seat, and Marchand could run for Governor...But again I am Blue Skying it here, cuz he ain't running.
Is it just me, or have we passed several instances of "the governor is expected to sign any minute!"? Anyone know what's up with the delay? What is the governor's window of opportunity for an affirmative signature before the bill becomes law automatically? Some of us are impatient for progress to commence...
In the early days of BH (723 diaries ago!) we gave several Newspapers, and in particular the Keene Sentinel a bit of stick for site design and business policy that paywalls much of their content.
For some time now I have wanted to commend the Sentinel for "pushing their envelope" a bit.
First I noticed the "Talk Back" Section. The Sentinel has experimented with what is essentially a blog type feature allowing public comment on a topic of their choosing. Topics have varied from Richmond to Darfur; Idol to Roundabout. They are learning as they go and making adjustments as they do.
Tonight, accompanying the article about their editorial board meeting with Gov. Lynch they have posted over 30 minutes of the interview "You Tube" style. A great service to public to hear the Governor speak about "His" constitutional amendment, Health Care, and the NH Primary.
I'd still like to see changes in the biz model that would allow easier linking of content and searching of archived material... (say ever letter I have ever written to the editor.)
Perhaps in time these will come, but for now, join me in a "BH Kudos" to the Sentinel for pushing their comfort zone a bit and taking more advantage of the opportunities afforded with the online medium.
Governor Lynch's job approval ratings are now at 80%, up from 77% in the February UNH poll.
Interestingly, in the demographic breakdowns, people living in NH five years or less were only at 63%, while five to ten years were at 72%, the two lowest groups, confirming the "new doesn't mean liberal" theme. Wait, did I just say, "Only 63%"? There are elected officials who would kill for 63%! Higher job approval in the 1st cd (83%) than the 2nd cd (78%).
Three percent of the registered Democrats did not approve of his job performance, once again leading to the question, WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE? Assuming they are the same ones who approve of Bush!
With his continued refusal to consider all forms of revenue raising to fund schooling at a proper level. With his immediate caving in to Valliancourt and asking Buckly to recuse himself.
I also have vague memories of other wishy-washy ness on his part in past 2 years.
Just what kind of guy is this? Is he really a principled progressive who moves cautiously when the legislature is in the hands of the other party; or, is he a guy who wants to be popular at all costs by not rocking the boat? Is he planning on higher office?
Based on his performance so far, he ain't gettin my vote.
Echoing some diaries and comments here on Blue Hampshire. Todays (1/9/2006) Sentinel Editorial Zings Lynch for comments made in his inaugural address.
Governor John Lynch's inaugural address last week showed how deeply at odds he is with the principles at the heart of the N.H. Supreme Court's school-funding decisions.
and
If, as Lynch has long proposed, the state is to eliminate the statewide property tax and if, as he now proposes, we are to pass a constitutional amendment allowing targeted aid to property-poor communities, then what happens to the constitutional requirement that the state pay the full cost of an adequate education for all?
In closing they reminds us of our duties. emphasis mine.
Lynch gives no indication that he grasps the deep contradictions in his school-funding prescription. But when he eventually comes up with language for his proposed constitutional amendment, New Hampshire legislators and citizens should hold him to his word.
No amendment that allows the Legislature to walk away from its responsibility for funding education.
No amendment that takes the courts out of education.
And if he can't accomplish that, then no amendment at all.
Bush claimed a mandate at 52% and Mr. 74% gives us a constitutional amendment 15 years after Claremont I. It's deja vu all over again.
