Ursula Askins-Huber

My Esteemed Representatives, I am not sure if this bill, or variations of it, will continue to be set forward in an effort to exhaust the constituents who support public education. Regardless, I persist in my opposition to this bill for all of the previously stated reasons: 1. This bill is not equitable. It claims to support families who desire school choice. Students in rural areas, whose parents are working full time without a private school within a commutable distance do not have the options. Truly poor families do not have options either. A $6,000 voucher will not fully cover a tuition at any private school. 2. It's expensive. At a projected cost, by our governor, of $29,000,000 per year, how will the cost affect those schools that most of our students rely upon? 3. Although a Catholic myself, I object to my tax dollars funding religious schools. Most of the inexpensive private schools that are most likely t benefit from these funds are those sponsored by religious groups. 4.Most of the students currently using these funds were already enrolled in private schools. We are subsidizing those who can already afford to send their kids to the schools of their choice. 5. Private school do not have to accept students with special needs. Again, not equitable. 6. Homeschooling students may be taught be parents who have limited education themselves., which does not set them up for success outside the home. This is not good for our future or New Hampshire's economic development. Please, please, take this information into account, and vote to defeat this bill Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Ursula Askins-Huber