Ayotte issues first veto as N.H. governor, keeping transportation mandatory for half-day kindergarten
'To no longer require transportation for these children to and from these schools would place an undue burden on working families,' Ayotte said, lauding half-day kindergarten as a tool to help give students a strong foundation for success later in life.
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'While school districts throughout New Hampshire should be actively looking for ways to effectively utilize their funding, this is a step in the wrong direction,' she added, referring to the legislation.
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Ayotte vetoed HB 319 on Tuesday, according to an entry added to
The bill's prime sponsor, Representative Keith Ammon of New Boston, said he respects Ayotte's veto authority, but was surprised by her decision.
'This bill, requested by the New Boston school board chair, would have saved our district $75,000 annually by eliminating an unfunded state mandate that forces our district to run nearly empty buses in the middle of the day,' Ammon said.
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'Unfortunately, the governor's first veto may send a chilling message to legislators trying to eliminate the many unfunded state mandates that drive up property taxes for New Hampshire families,' he added.
The legislation had passed with a 204-171 vote in the House in March and a 13-8 vote in the Senate in May, which suggests lawmakers are unlikely to muster the two-thirds majorities needed to override the governor's decision.
Aside from her first veto, Ayotte also announced Friday that she had signed 19 more bills into law, including legislation related to rights and complaints in special education (HB 76, HB 753, and HB 754), financial assistance for those victimized in cases of sexual assault or harassment while serving in the national guard (HB 62), and a requirement that public schools observe Constitution Day with patriotic exercises (HB 571).
This article first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday,
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