This week Governor Kelly Ayotte rolled out her proposed budget for this biennium that includes an increase in state government spending without accounting for revenues from business and other taxes remaining flat or declining over the next two years.
In New Hampshire the budget is a reflection of who we are and what we value as Granite Staters, and we believe we have the opportunity to and the responsibility to invest in the essential pillars of our state’s strength: quality public education, safe and affordable housing, lower healthcare costs, and support of our small businesses.
Unfortunately, we believe this budget does not address these priorities.
Not only does it propose an unrealistic increase in state revenue, but ignores the priorities of quality education, accessible and affordable housing, health care and infrastructure needs.
In eight years, the majority party has shifted funds to multi-millionaires and out of state corporations.
Your tax dollars are being funneled to unaccountable private school tuition while your property taxes are going up.
With a looming budget deficit, pursuing both expanded vouchers and property funding special education is not feasible. Expanding vouchers means cutting special education funding—leaving taxpayers to foot the bill.
Most voucher recipients were already in private schools at no expense to taxpayers.
NH now has the fifth highest property tax burden in the nation. In 2024 property taxes surged 38.3 percent.
Rising property taxes are forcing residents to leave their communities, sometimes having to move in with family due to unaffordable housing costs.
Small businesses need stability. Governor Ayotte should stand up to the Trump administration and shield New Hampshire from funding freezes, tariffs and one-size-fits-all mandates that cut taxes for billionaires and corporations.
During this biennium Democrats will be work hard to hold Republicans accountable for the use of your tax dollar to make sure our priorities are met and NH continues to support small businesses and young families.