Voters will see a question on the ballot this November. It’s unusual because it’s neither a constitutional amendment, nor a typical warrant article that you might find in a town or school district election. I have pasted the question below.

Here’s what’s happening: After separate bills to impose school budget caps failed multiple times in two years, Republicans amended HB 1300 to bypass the usual process and forced the question onto the November general election ballot. The legislation mandates that towns and cities hold a tax cap vote for school district budgets in 2026 and 2028 during the November general election.

In January 2025 Kearsarge Regional School District voters soundly rejected a proposed tax cap on the school budget. More than 1,600 residents from the seven district towns attended. The spending cap petition failed 1,435 to 113 — over 92% voted no. This vote and others that followed sounded alarm bells for the Republican Free Staters in the legislature as a statewide trend ensued with school districts rejecting caps. 

Soon after the Kearsarge district’s 2025 vote, Republican House Majority Leader Jason Osborne —self-identified member of the Free State movement — told WMUR TV, “We might have to put a leash on some of these local governments.” He told the NH Journal, “Perhaps, if [local voters] are unwilling to cap themselves, the state will step in and cap local taxes for them.” This arrogant and open disregard for local control and voters’ decisions set this school budget cap scheme in motion.

Beginning with the next budget cycle, school funding would be capped at a growth rate tied to the Consumer Price Index. Central office spending for the school administrative unit would also be limited to 6% of the district’s total appropriations. The cap does not factor in major costs like utilities, energy, health insurance, or higher transportation costs, to name a few.

Ballot Question:

“Shall the [municipality] limit property tax growth for [name(s) of school district(s)] under RSA 32:5-i? If adopted for a two-year period: (1) the local property tax levy may not grow beyond the prior year’s amount, adjusted for inflation and new construction; (2) SAU central office spending may not exceed 6 percent of total school district appropriations; and (3) bonded capital costs are excluded from both limits. These caps apply only to administrative operations of the SAU central office and do not affect classroom instruction, school-based services, or other municipal

expenditures. These limits may be overridden as provided in RSA 32:5-i. Adoption requires a three-fifths (3/5) majority vote.”

What happens if the ballot question passes? 

NH law already allows school districts to adopt a tax cap. This ballot question  is unnecessary and is intended to undermine local control of school budgets. Furthermore, the bill that the Governor signed into law has many flaws. Chief among them: it is unconstitutional.  New Hampshire’s constitution prohibits statewide referendums that let citizens vote directly on issues. The New Hampshire Supreme Court’s 1999 opinion found a question like this amounts to an unconstitutional delegation of power by the Legislature.

Vote NO on this ballot question!

~Representative Eileen KellyVote NO on this ballot question!