*TAKE ACTION by Tuesday* Support NH's Children!

SUPPORT SB204-FN-A, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor. This bill authorizes school boards to raise eligibility for free meals, requires the department of education to reimburse schools who raise eligibility, and provides an appropriation for related funds. This would apply for incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. It also establishes an online application process.

Take Action by Tuesday:
1. Sign into the House Remote Testimony tool to voice your support.
2. Enter your personal information.
3. Select:

• Tuesday, April 15th on the calendar
• House Education Funding
• 12:45 p.m. - SB204
• I am a member of the public.
• I am representing myself.

4. Click: "I support this bill", then hit the submit button at the bottom of the form. Adding remote testimony is suggested. It will help make your case.

NOTE: When using talking points in adding written testimony, please take an extra minute or two to put your testimony into your own words rather than copying and pasting. There are many legislators that will discount written testimony if they see it is exactly the same as that received by others. 

Talking Points for SB204:

• SB204 would raise the eligibility threshold for free meals in schools to 200% of the federal poverty level for New Hampshire's students. It ensures that meals served to students who meet federal income guidelines of 185% will continue to receive federal reimbursement, while meals not covered by federal rates will be reimbursed by the state at a rate covering 50% of the difference between federal rates for free and reduced-price meals or paid meals.
• Additionally, the bill requires that the Department of Education adopt rules that require school districts to provide both online and physical applications for free meals, along with offering administrative assistance for the establishment of online applications
• SB204 is a bipartisan plan to expand meal access while protecting taxpayers. This is about feeding kids, not bureaucracy. Hunger shouldn’t be a barrier to learning.
• No child should go hungry at school. Yet, too many families in New Hampshire are struggling just above the cutoff for free meals, and schools are drowning in unpaid meal debt.
• The Senate amended the bill so that schools can choose whether or not to “opt-in”, allowing districts to decide whether to participate.
• The benefits of increasing meal availability for children go beyond the lunch hour. Children with food insecurity are twice as likely to receive special ed services, twice as likely to repeat a grade, have increased hyperactivity and difficulty focusing, and are twice as likely to have behavioral issues that lead to suspension. So, they cost more money when they’re not fed.
• There is a growing need. Families across the state are under extra strain due to inflation and rising cost of living expenses. Families are struggling due to the increase in housing prices and rent, child care prices, and food prices. It’s particularly hard on low-income working families.
• Barbara Weisman, with the Keene Community Kitchen, said her organization saw a 30% increase in people seeking food assistance in 2024 compared to the previous year. Food pantries across New Hampshire are reporting similarly high levels of need. Nancy Mellitt, director of operations at the NH Food Banks, said they gave out more food than ever before in 2024 – roughly 17 million pounds, about a million more than 2023.
• Advocates acknowledge lawmakers face a tight state budget outlook. But supporters say these programs are worth the investment. “We know that school meals in addition to staving off hunger in general results for kids in improved academic performance, reduced behavioral problems, fewer trips to the nurse for stomach aches, stronger attendance rates, and higher graduation rates,” said Laura Milliken, who leads the advocacy group New Hampshire Hunger Solutions.
• 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) varies based on household size. For a family of two, it's around $37,814. For a family of three, it's roughly $47,767. And for a family of four, it's about $57,720. Increasing the threshold to 200% of the FPL increases the income caps slightly, capturing more needy families: family of two: $42,300, family of three: $53,300, family of four: $64,300.

OPPOSE SB295-FN, relative to education freedom accounts. This bill will increase the number of students eligible for school vouchers, and the costs of this already expensive program, by removing household income thresholds.

Take Action by Tuesday:
1. Sign into the House Remote Testimony tool to voice your opposition.
2. Enter your personal information.
3. Select:

• Tuesday, April 15th on the calendar
• House Education Funding
• 1:45 p.m. - SB295
• I am a member of the public.
• I am representing myself.

4. Click: "I oppose this bill", then hit the submit button at the bottom of the form. Adding remote testimony is suggested. It will help make your case. 

NOTE: When using talking points in adding written testimony, please take an extra minute or two to put your testimony into your own words rather than copying and pasting. There are many legislators that will discount written testimony if they see it is exactly the same as that received by others.

Talking Points for SB295:

• SB295 is yet another universal voucher bill, removing all income caps. The bill's Republican legislators include a cap of 10,000 EFAs awarded the first year unless...and then it gets complicated, with a ranked priority of who gets them. An income cap would apply only if more than 10,000 students apply. This is an attempt to get universal vouchers passed so they can be further modified in the future.
• New Hampshire cannot afford universal school vouchers. In light of budget shortfalls and cuts of essential services in the state budget by Republican legislators, it is fiscally irresponsible and reckless to expand an already expensive vouch program.
• Expanding school vouchers will drain millions of dollars from funding our public schools - and increase your property taxes.
• Vouchers have little accountability and a track record that shows that students do not benefit from them.
• We have a budget crisis in NH and a school funding crisis. Let's take care of these pressing matters now and put a stop to expanding the voucher program. No on SB295!

You may watch House hearings live or recorded here.
You may watch Senate hearings live or recorded here. 

Info Sourced from Hillsborough County Democratic Committee