Lynch Unveils Constitutional Amendment

The amendment's bottom line, is that the state would cover at least half of the cost of an adequate education across NH. Lawmakers could target that money pretty much as they saw fit, but would be on the hook to define, cost out and deliver an educational adequacy. ……According to the Governor, those tenants lay the right foundation for reaching a sustainable education funding solution.

"This amendment sets a floor that ensures future legisltures can never abandon the state's responsiability for education, it also requires that some state aid be provided to every school district. And with this amendment, we will be able to target education aid, finally ensuring that all children in all communities will also have the opportunity they need and deserve for a good education and to have better lives."

Lynch's proposal enjoys the early backing of eight co-sponsors -- 6 Democrats and 2 Republicans…….Historically, school funding amendments have come from the GOP and been fought by Democrats….But there are some indications that things counld be different this time.

"Dammit I'm proud of this. This is a hell of a solution."

Democratic Senator Peter Burling of Cornish has fought plenty of constitutional amendments during his 16 years in Concord -- often because they sought to limit the sort of judicial oversight he says is enshrined in the Lynch proposal.

"The court's got that whole first sentence: definition, costing, distribution of funds, maintenance of an accountability system. Those are eons beyond the John Adams language that served as the constitutional foundation that got us to where we are. As a lawyer, I have to say hey, there's a real ticket. If the legislature fails again, as it has failed up to this point, I know where I can go to get justice."

Burling says he expects other Democrats to given comfort by that logic, but did admit that passing an amendment that commits the state to pay for half of what remains an undefined cost could take some doing…….GOP state senator Bob Clegg, meanwhile, says that propblem could prove the amendment's undoing.

"For all we know 50 percent of their adequate education definition is going to be 1.5 billion dollars, maybe 2 billion dollars. We don't know."

And Clegg's objections don't stop there.

"On top of that, it doesn’t guarantee every kid is treated equally. It says that as long as every city gets something that's ok. So does that mean that Londonderry gets 50 bucks and Claremont gets 500,000. This amendment guarantees that the court continues to intervene."

Even so, the most believe the amendment stands a good chance of winning the 3/5th support to get out of the state senate……But in the house, though, the proposal's future is a bit less clear……House Speaker Terrie Norrelli declined to make any predictions or take a position, but did say the proposal looked promising based on its range of sponsors.