From Senator Sylvia Larsen:

As I know you are concerned about the future of public education in New Hampshire, and its funding methods, I wanted to let you know of the last minute Constitutional Amendment(see below) we have just been given in the Senate. The draft was just released and a public hearing has been set for this Monday, Mar 20th at 10 AM. Truly a last minute attempt!

While few might learn of the issue in time for the 10 AM public hearing next Monday (Statehouse Room 100), I think a large majority of residents are opposed to the concept of CACR 43, which deletes "public education" from those interests which the constitution requires "it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish ".
Because you share my believe in the importance of public education, I wanted to ask you to consider testifying or writing against CACR 43 this Monday. Perhaps you can encourage others to call , write or testify.

Due to Senate deadlines, this will be fast -tracked for a vote in the full Senate on Thurs, Mar. 22.

Thanks for whatever help you can offer.
With best personal regards,

Sylvia Larsen
NH Senate Dist 15

SEE BELOW: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 43

RELATING TO: the cost of education.

PROVIDING THAT: the legislature shall determine and define the content, extent, and funding of education.

SPONSORS: Sen. Gatsas, Dist 16; Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Bragdon, Dist 11; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Morse, Dist 22; Sen. Johnson, Dist 2; Sen. Eaton, Dist 10; Sen. Boyce, Dist 4; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Green, Dist 6; Sen. Flanders, Dist 7; Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Sen. Martel, Dist 18

COMMITTEE: Finance

ANALYSIS

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution provides that the legislature shall determine and define the content, extent, and funding of education.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears (in brackets and struckthrough.)
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
06-3065
04/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RELATING TO: the cost of education.

PROVIDING THAT: the legislature shall determine and define the content, extent, and funding of education.

Be it Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring, that the

Constitution of New Hampshire be amended as follows:

I. That part 2, article 83 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:

(Art.) 83. (Encouragement of Literature, etc.; Control of Corporations, Monopolies, etc.) Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries (and public schools), to encourage private and public institutions, rewards, and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affections, and generous sentiments, among the people: Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination, and that the legislature shall have the responsibility to provide all citizens of the state the opportunity to receive a public education, and in furtherance thereof, the legislature shall determine and define the content, extent, and funding of that education. Free and fair competition in the trades and industries is an inherent and essential right of the people and should be protected against all monopolies and conspiracies which tend to hinder or destroy it. The size and functions of all corporations should be so limited and regulated as to prohibit fictitious capitalization and provision should be made for the supervision and government thereof. Therefore, all just power possessed by the state is hereby granted to the general court to enact laws to prevent the operations within the state of all persons and associations, and all trusts and corporations, foreign or domestic, and the officers thereof, who endeavor to raise the price of any article of commerce or to destroy free and fair competition in the trades and industries through combination, conspiracy, monopoly, or any other unfair means; to control and regulate the acts of all such persons, associations, corporations, trusts, and officials doing business within the state; to prevent fictitious capitalization; and to authorize civil and criminal proceedings in respect to all the wrongs herein declared against.

II. That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2006.

III. That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2006 election an article to the following effect: To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2006 session of the general court shall be approved.

IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:

“Are you in favor of amending the Constitution to provide that part 2, article 83 be amended to read as follows:

(Art.) 83. (Encouragement of Literature, etc.; Control of Corporations, Monopolies, etc.) Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries, to encourage private and public institutions, rewards, and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affections, and generous sentiments, among the people: Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination, and that the legislature shall have the responsibility to provide all citizens of the state the opportunity to receive a public education, and in furtherance thereof, the legislature shall determine and define the content, extent, and funding of that education. Free and fair competition in the trades and industries is an inherent and essential right of the people and should be protected against all monopolies and conspiracies which tend to hinder or destroy it. The size and functions of all corporations should be so limited and regulated as to prohibit fictitious capitalization and provision should be made for the supervision and government thereof. Therefore, all just power possessed by the state is hereby granted to the general court to enact laws to prevent the operations within the state of all persons and associations, and all trusts and corporations, foreign or domestic, and the officers thereof, who endeavor to raise the price of any article of commerce or to destroy free and fair competition in the trades and industries through combination, conspiracy, monopoly, or any other unfair means; to control and regulate the acts of all such persons, associations, corporations, trusts, and officials doing business within the state; to prevent fictitious capitalization; and to authorize civil and criminal proceedings in respect to all the wrongs herein declared against.”

V. That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot or on the same ballot with other constitutional questions. The ballot containing the question shall include 2 squares next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.” If no cross is made in either of the squares, the ballot shall not be counted on the question. The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words “Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2006 General Court” shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.

VI. That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.