The New Hampshire Legislature is displaying breathtaking callousness this session in the proposals it is considering regarding the school voucher program to pay families for private school tuition. Calling it unaffordable, the House has killed HB 1212 to provide free lunch to children whose families earn up to 350% of the poverty level.

At the same time, SB 442 would expand the voucher program to wealthier families earning 400% of poverty level incomes, and HB 1665 would expand the program to families earning 500% of poverty level incomes ($156,000 for a family of four). Families need to qualify for this program only once and remain eligible until the student graduates even if their income increases beyond that level, so there is no limit to its impact on the state budget. Are our legislators cynically favoring wealthier families and private schools, or are they merely asleep at the wheel?

Diana Sack

Laconia