CONCORD – House Republican Leader Gene G. Chandler (R-Bartlett), Deputy House Republican Leader David Hess (R-Hooksett) and House Republican Policy Leader Laurie Sanborn (R-Bedford) today offered the following statements following Governor Hassan’s budget address:
House Republican Leader Gene G. Chandler
“Two years ago, we were able to balance the budget without expanded gaming revenue. We put forth reasonable and conservative revenue estimates, and while we had to make some tough decisions, we crafted a budget that lived within our means. We have enough trouble relying on traditional sources of revenue without injecting a one-time $80 million license fee based on an activity that is currently illegal and hasn’t ever passed this legislature. Individual positions on gambling aside, putting expanded gaming revenue into the budget is setting us up for failure.”
“This budget will place an additional burden on our state’s business and residents with increased taxes and fees including increasing the gas tax and bringing back the auto registration tax. Tax increases along with a promise to take away school choice and opportunity for our state’s most underprivileged children is not the innovation Governor Hassan spoke about on the campaign trail.”
“I sincerely hope that the Legislature and the Governor can come to an agreement on a responsible budget that moves New Hampshire in the right direction and does not increase taxes or fees on our already overburdened taxpayers.”
Deputy House Republican Leader David Hess
“Building a budget on revenues from an industry that is not yet legal in New Hampshire is just plain irresponsible. No Governor, Senate President or Speaker have ever attempted to rely on any sort of gaming revenue as part of a budget and all believed it should rise or fall on its own merits. If the Governor wants expanded gaming, I would suggest she craft a budget on known revenue first, then make her case for gaming revenue in the form of a separate bill. Expanded gaming is not a slam dunk. As we all know there have been over two dozen gaming bills defeated in the House. Forcing the issue down the throats of New Hampshire voters in this manner is gambling with our State’s fiscal health.”
House Republican Policy Leader Laurie Sanborn
“I am deeply concerned about the numerous tax increases in this budget, and it’s affect on the hard working families and employers of our state. The Governor talks about improving the economy but in her budget she proposes a number of anti-business tax increases and aggressive audits. We need to encourage responsible business success and job creation, not impose disincentives and barriers for economic growth as this budget does.”