Ed Tax Credit Sponsor: Ruling 'Ideologically Biased'

A trial court ruled Monday that the state's education tax credit program was unconstitutional in that it violates the prohibition of tax dollars for use by religious schools. The sponsor of the legislation says he sees a silver lining in the ruling – that the program itself was not struck down in whole – and expresses optimism the New Hampshire Supreme Court will overturn the lower court.

Former state Rep. D.J. Bettencourt, a Republican from Salem who sponsored the education tax credit program legislation, said this of the court ruling:

"I authored and sponsored the New Hampshire School Choice Scholarship Act to empower needy families to find the best school for their child. I also hoped to spur innovation in education in a manner that would benefit everyone in New Hampshire. So far, the response, both from businesses willing to contribute to scholarships and families stepping forward to accept this opportunity, has affirmed my belief in the need for this legislation.

I am disappointed that a hand-picked liberal judge has ruled that needy families are foreclosed from choosing a faith-affiliated school as what is best for their child. But not even this judge could find a reason to strike down the whole program. Educational scholarships for needy children to attend public and secular private schools are alive and well, and I am confident they will be fully utilized by families who no longer have to settle for their assigned government school. I am optimistic that the Supreme Court of New Hampshire will overturn today's poorly reasoned and ideologically biased decision. But all the same, today is a milestone in the history of family choice in education. It's just the first step. Parents are awakening to their power in education. School choice has a bright future in New Hampshire, and I am proud to have stood behind the legislation that has brought us to this point."