On behalf of the NH School Funding Fairness Project, Hart Research Associates conducted a phone survey of 500 New Hampshire registered voters from November 15 to 17, 2021.
Respondents were provided some basic information regarding disparities in the education funding system, based on data from 2020. Once they learned that, on average, the state provides $4,600 per pupil while localities spend $17,00 per pupil, they favored changing to a statewide funding system by 61% to 29%. This includes support among registered Democrats, independents, and Republicans.
Respondents across party lines preferred changing to a statewide funding source over the current system. Even those who believed they would pay more in taxes were divided.
After learning the disparity between state and local funding, three in five respondents favored changing to a statewide funding approach. Overall, 63% of Granite Staters favored a proposal to reform taxes so that taxes are based upon a homeowner’s ability to pay, while 29% opposed this proposal. Even the 18% who felt they would pay more in taxes were divided about the proposal, with 49% opposing the proposal and 46% in favor of it.
Three in five respondents favor tax reform based upon a homeowner’s ability to pay, with voters most likely to believe this would not impact what they pay in taxes.
