In a stunning display of chaos and dysfunction, the House Republicans passed their disastrous state budget, HB 1 and HB2. After 8 hours of debate, they abruptly tabled their own budget, recessed the House, then returned to the floor only to take the budget off the table and shut down debate, silencing members in the process.
Once they regained control of their caucus, they passed a budget that raises property taxes by slashing aid to cities and towns, raises the cost of healthcare by forcing low-income families on Medicaid and CHIP to pay new monthly premiums—a healthcare income tax on those who can least afford it. And it raises costs for nearly everyone by increasing ninety different state fees, all while continuing to shovel tax breaks to out-of-state corporations and the wealthiest Granite Staters. House
The state budget is the single most consequential statement of our values and priorities. Every Granite Stater, every family, every community, is impacted by the choices made in a budget that affects public education, healthcare access, retirement security, infrastructure, and public safety. Democrats will continue to stand up, speak out, and fight for a responsible, people-first budget—one that reflects the values of the Granite State, not the political games of a party in disarray.
With their priorities clearly on display the Republicans have:
• Cut critical services, including funding for mental health and services for people with developmental disabilities.
• Gutted public higher education while making it harder for students to afford college.
• Eliminated critical public safety, including the Office of the Child Advocate and over one hundred jobs in the Department of Corrections.
• Eliminated economic drivers, including the State Council on the Arts (even calling it “propaganda”).
• Increased spending by over $30 million to expand private school vouchers for the ultra-wealthy.
• Diverted millions from public schools to benefit casino owners—slashing revenue that was intended to support public education.
• Created a Medicaid Income Tax, forcing families to pay huge premiums to keep their children’s health insurance.
This budget is not responsible. It is not compassionate. And it is not sustainable. House Democrats know Granite Staters deserve better. A budget should lift people up, not push them down. It should reflect shared values, strong communities, accessible healthcare, quality public education, and an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. We will continue to fight for a budget that puts people first. Because when the stakes are this high, the only responsible vote is NO.”
To stifle debate on this budget is not just undemocratic: it is indefensible. It is a blatant attempt to ram through a reckless and harmful agenda that cannot withstand public scrutiny. When you are proud of your budget, you welcome the debate. When you know it is indefensible, you try to silence your opponents.
By limiting floor debate, Republicans denied the people of New Hampshire the deliberation and transparency they deserve. This is not governing. It is hiding. And today, they showed just how desperate they have become to avoid accountability.