“I Would Like to Expand Those”: Ayotte Reaffirms Plans to Expand Public School Cash Grab

“I Would Like to Expand Those”: Ayotte Reaffirms Plans to Expand Public School Cash Grab

Former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte reaffirmed her plans to “expand” the state’s controversial school voucher program that siphons taxpayer dollars away from public schools and gives them to unaccountable private and religious schools.

In a recent interview posted to social media, Ayotte said that one of the first things she would do as governor is “mak[e] sure we have education freedom in this state. We have that now, education freedom accounts, I would like to expand those…”

This is not the first time that Ayotte has threatened to further gut public education if elected — last month Ayotte stated unequivocally, “I support the education freedom accounts,” which experts have warned would also drive up local taxes, especially for rural districts already struggling to get by.

As of 2022, New Hampshire had the lowest per-student spending in public schools of all 50 states, the state’s public school system enrollment was projected to fall, and teachers were paid nearly $5,000 less than the national average.

“New Hampshire’s dangerous school voucher program has been a disaster for Granite State students, teachers, and families. The last thing they need is for Kelly Ayotte to ‘expand’ it,” said DGA States Press Secretary Emma O’Brien. “Granite Staters want a leader in the corner office who will invest in public schools, not weaken them. Kelly Ayotte has proven she’s not up for the job.”

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