Get ready for serious debate on expanded gaming (ya know, casinos). Proposed tax reform. Preserving local control of schools. And in the statehood department, poor D.C. can't get no respect. It's still Halftime in America, and here's the legislative week ahead in New Hampshire.

Republicans in Concord want to jettison a federal law. Not “Obamacare.” At least not this week. We’re talking about the No Child Left Behind Act.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote on a bill Wednesday to direct the state to withdraw from the act, what President George W. Bush described in 2001 as “the cornerstone of my Administration.”

It is the first of two bills that target NCLB as ineffective, a loss of local control, and an under-funded bureaucratic behemoth.

NCLB “currently rewards poor performance by additional money,” according to the House Education Committee’s majority report. “By withdrawing and clearly cutting the strings to NCLB, the state and local school boards will be empowered to make rules and statutes which will improve the performance of our school system.”

The committee voted 12-4 to recommend the full House pass the bill. The minority report does not exactly defend NCLB, but urges lawmakers to further study the issue and be wary of losing federal funds.

The second NCLB bill would “prohibit the state and any political subdivision from entering any agreement implementing any provision of the No Child Left Behind Act without prior approval of the general court.”

It’s an interesting turn for an educational act famously sponsored by former U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., in concert with the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

Sorry, D.C.: The District of Columbia should pursue more equitable federal representation, but statehood? Nope. The House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee recommends the full New Hampshire House of Representatives on Wednesday reject a resolution of support for admitting the District of Columbia as the 51st state. “The majority of the committee felt that statehood is an over-reach; and that other less questionable and monumental choices and avenues to accomplish their goals are readily available,” Rep. Frank H. McCarthy writes in a majority report recommending House Resolution 26 be “inexpedient to legislate.”

Expanded Gambling: Expect more debate on expanded gambling. The full House considers a bill to allow video lottery and table gaming. It has the support of the House Ways and Means Committee, which noted Granite Staters spend roughly $80 million a year gambling outside the state. An amendment to the bill has a carve-out for charitable gaming, provides $500,000 for each license application, and provides $100,000 to the Attorney General’s office for investigation of each application – among other things. Part of the majority report blurb: 

“Massachusetts has passed gaming legislation. If we fail to act on this legislation, New Hampshire’s economy will be forever negatively impacted. The state will see a decrease in revenues from across a wide spectrum to include liquor, lottery and tourism. We will also be paying for those who may become addicted to gambling out of state with no additional revenue to offset the cost.”

Rep. David Hess, R-Hooksett, in a stand for the minority, panned the legislation. He questioned the exclusive licensing for the two proposed casinos in the state and criticized the bill as almost entirely written by casino lobbyists without adequate public hearing.

The Over-Under: Gov. John Lynch has said he will veto any bill that expands gambling in the state.

Raising the tax bar: The Senate takes up a constitutional amendment that would require a three-fifths vote to pass legislation imposing new or increased taxes or license fees, "or to authorize the issuance of state bonds and providing that the general court shall appropriate funds for payment of interest and installments of principle of all state bonds."

Loud Pipes: Representatives Hall could be a lively place Tuesday morning at 10. The Transportation committee will be holding a public hearing for House Bill 1442, relative to motorcycle noise emission regulation.

Back to the drawing board: The Senate, which approved its proposed new districts last week, will review the House redistricting plan Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Statehouse Room 100. 

Sexting bill: The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee takes up a bill Thursday to establish a criminal penalty for sending or receiving sexually explicit messages or images by using a cell phone or other mobile device. LOB, Room 204.

Get your scorecards ready: The House is in session Wednesday at 10 a.m. The Senate's in session Wednesday at 1 p.m. And the Executive Council meets Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Statehouse council chamber.