Lengthy Senate hearing pits supporters of universal Education Freedom Accounts against public‑school advocates and union leaders

Sen. Victoria Sullivan, sponsor of SB 295, opened the Senate Education Committee hearing with a request that members use precise terminology and with an explanation of the bill’s effect: removing the household income cap that currently limits eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). Sullivan described EFAs as distinct from traditional vouchers and said the state portion that follows a child would be about $5,000 per student.

Supporters, including parents, students and advocacy groups such as Americans for Prosperity and Granite State Taxpayers, told the committee that universal EFAs would expand parental choice and help children who are poorly served by their assigned public schools. Students and parents described personal improvements after moving to private schools or homeschooling with EFA support. "I would never have been able to attend the school without this EFA," said Alyssa Sosa Molina, a high-school student who said she would not otherwise have access to her private school.

Proponents disputed some large cost estimates. Sarah Scott, deputy state director for Americans for Prosperity, said a recent analysis from the Josiah Bartlett Center…