Legislators File Amicus Brief to Support New Hampshire New Education Choice Law


For Immediate Release
April 5th, 2013
Contact: William L. O’Brien (603) 673-6610
WilliamLOBrien@gmail.com
Legislators File Amicus Brief to Support New Hampshire New Education Choice Law
 
Rep. William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) announced today that he is filing a friend-of–the-court brief as local counsel for the Pacific Legal Foundation on behalf of seven present and former legislators in the Stafford County case of Duncan, et al v. the State of New Hampshire.
 
In order to protect union-dominated public education, in the Duncan case plaintiffs seek to deny children from low and moderate-income families the opportunity to receive private scholarships funded by education tax credits.  Those scholarships would be paid by businesses to go to elementary and high schools chosen by the students and their parents.
 
Included among the legislators named on the brief are Senators Jim Forsythe, Fenton Groen and Andy Sanborn, and Representatives Mike Balboni, Greg Hill, William O’Brien and Pam Tucker. These legislators comprise the prime legislators who supported, drafted and debated the Education Tax Credit Program last term.  The Pacific Legal Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest and most successful non-profit, pro-liberty legal organizations.  Joshua Thompson, an attorney with Pacific Legal, explained that the group represents the legislators without charge.
 
Rep. O’Brien was quoted as saying, “It is our intent as present and former legislators who worked so hard for this law to make clear for the court that part of the plaintiffs’ argument against the law – that we supported the law to support religious schools – is simply not true.  It has no more relevancy or validity than if that argument had been brought against Congress 65 years ago to oppose another education scholarship opportunity program, the GI Bill, just because some funds might go to religiously founded schools.  Our educational system is too often failing our children.  Giving families of limited means the choice to find the best education for their children, directly benefits them and, through competition, will improve public education in New Hampshire.”
 
It is anticipated that the Duncan case will reach the New Hampshire Supreme Court and these legislators will continue their efforts in the case to promote freedom of educational choices for New Hampshire families.

Teens Robbed of I-pod/Cell Phone

 

MANCHESTER, NH- On Monday, February 11, 2013, at about 6:30 PM, Manchester Police responded to a Clay Street address for a report of a robbery.  On arrival, they met with two 16 year old Manchester teens who reported they had been the victims of a robbery a short time earlier on Somerville Street, near Belmont Street.

 

According to the boys, they were walking in the area when they were approached by two men, one of whom demanded their belongings, indicating his companion had a gun, although no gun was observed.

 

One of the boys surrendered his I-pod Nano and Galaxy S3 cell phone and the men left.  They were last seen leaving the area as passengers in an older, dark colored 4-door sedan operated by a third individual who was possibly wearing a red sweatshirt.

 

The first suspect was described as a white male in his forties, about 6’3” tall with a slender build and dark “stubble” on his face.  He was last seen wearing a dark colored vest and a green “beanie” style hat.  The second man, alleged to have possessed a gun, was described as a clean-shaven white male in his forties with an average height and build.  He was last seen wearing a camouflage shirt and khaki pants.

 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 668-8711.  Anonymous tips for cash rewards can be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or online at manchestercrimeline.org.