Concord, NH – Today, after the Democratically-led House Finance Committee voted and approved their proposed budget – which raises unprecedented taxes and eliminates countless strategic investments – Governor Chris Sununu and legislative leaders issued the following statements:
“From an income tax masquerading as paid family leave program to a job-killing capital gains tax and raising taxes on New Hampshire’s employers, the Democratic leadership of the House Finance Committee has put New Hampshire’s hardworking taxpayers on the hook for $300M in additional spending,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Not only have they raised countless taxes, but now critical services and investments are at risk. Everything from funding for a new Secure Psychiatric Unit, to nearly $65M in targeted school building aid for property poor cities and towns, and $32M in student debt relief assistance – the Democrats have removed it all. I urge the Senate Finance Committee to immediately restore this critical funding.”
“It is disappointing that House Democrats have put together a budget that includes non-starters such as an income tax, a capital gains tax and increase to business taxes,” said Senate Republican Leader Chuck Morse (R-Salem). “Our current budget revenues are nearly $150 million above estimates; we do not have a revenue problem. If House budget writers are serious about passing a budget for the Governor to sign they would not include tax increases whether it is an income tax or any of their fee increases.”
“Democratic budget writers should not be playing political games with mental health patients,” said Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro). “The legislature has conducted enough studies to know that children do not belong in New Hampshire Hospital. Further, the Secure Psychiatric Unit at the State Prison is the wrong place for mental health patients to receive care. We cannot continue to criminalize mental health patients by housing them with violent criminals. Senate Democrats need to work with Republicans to fix the mess House Democrats have made in their budget proposal. I look forward to working with Senate Democrats to ensure that New Hampshire dedicates the needed resources to the mental health crisis.”
“Democrats are fueling a massive growth of government with big tax increases that will do damage to our economy,” said Republican Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack). “We can do better. The governor proposed a reasonable budget that didn’t ask anyone to pay any additional taxes, while showing a great deal of compassion in making sure much needed services are bolstered for those who need them, and that will move our state forward. Republicans don’t want any more of your money to run government, but Democrats are showing that they will find ways to siphon money out of our economy to fund their big government dreams.”
Among the appropriations the democratically-led House Finance Committee has eliminated from Governor Chris Sununu’s budget:
- $500,000 for the Internet Crimes Against Children Fund
- $63,700,000 for targeted school building aid
- $32,500,000 for student debt relief assistance
- $24,000,000 to the University System of New Hampshire for expanded nursing and other health care workforce programs
- $26,000,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the construction of a new 60 bed forensic psychiatric hospital.
- $6,800,000 to fund red list dam projects
- $500,000 grant to City Year to support the organizations existing programs
- $300,000 for school safety projects
- $6,000,000 to the University of New Hampshire for the design, construction, and establishment of an on-campus early childhood development center.
- $5,000,000 to the Housing Finance Authority to the lead remediation fund.
- $300,000 grant to the City of Berlin to construct the Hutchins Street Mill and Overlay Project.