As a parent of eight grown children, I know teenage behavior when I see it and lately, too many New Hampshire legislators are acting like teenagers dodging chores. Instead of fixing our unconstitutional school funding system, they pile on excuses.
Excuse #1: “The courts can’t tell us what to do.” Legislators didn’t just say this — they actually voted to write it into HB2 this year. That’s not only childish, it’s civics backwards. The Legislature makes laws, the courts rule on constitutionality. And our courts have said five times in three decades that the laws on school funding fail. The courts have even shown remarkable patience by giving lawmakers more time instead of ordering immediate relief. That grace period is over.
Excuse #2: “The judges misinterpreted the Constitution.” So now 400+ legislators claim they can interpret the Constitution better than the justices who wear the robes. That’s not leadership, that’s denial. Lawmakers should focus on their job: passing constitutional laws that actually fund education fairly.
Meanwhile, families are crushed under skyrocketing property taxes, especially in property-poor towns like Claremont, Newport, Charlestown and Pittsfield, where children pay the steepest price. This legislative session is the line in the sand. Stop the partisan games. Stop the excuses. Honor your oath of office to uphold the NH Constitution as interpreted by the judicial branch. Do your jobs or in 2026, voters will send you to time out.