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Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 07:13AM What: Members of House Republican Leadership and members of House Finance will discuss their concerns regarding the budget.
When: Monday, April 1st
Time: 11:30am
Where: Legislative Office Building Lobby
Leadership, NH House, NH House Republicans, State Budget Friday, March 29, 2013 at 11:44AM 
Keeping you up to date on our latest research
on the issues impacting New Hampshire
The state budget is a mess. So what’s new? House budget writers are working to make sense of that mess before Friday. Their budget will be different from the governor’s but likely leave a lot of work left to be done.
In New Hampshire, governors present a budget more or less fully formed to the legislature. Then the House of Representatives takes six weeks to develop their own draft, plug any holes in assumptions, and then pass that draft to the state senate for further work... Click here to keep reading.
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House Finance Wants to Revive CON Board
Due to Expire in 2015
The House Finance Committee has voted to bring the state’s Certificate of Need Board back from the brink of extinction. The panel yesterday approved an amendment to the state budget that would undo last year’s repeal of the Health Services Planning and Review Board. Click here to keep reading
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Indiana Supreme Court Upholds School Choice VouchersThe Indiana Supreme Court’s has unanimously upheld that state’s controversial school choice program, defeating a union challenge to the tax-funded scholarships for low-income students... Click here to keep reading.
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As detailed in an earlier piece on the Highway Fund diversion the Department of Safety receives a sizeable portion of the revenue raised by the state Highway Fund. Historically the Department has received roughly between 24% and 32% of the amount collected, net of block grants to the municipalities... Click here to keep reading.
Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 08:11AM Office of New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan
CONCORD – Governor Hassan released the following statement today on the budget approved by the House Finance Committee:
“I appreciate the work done by the House Finance Committee to develop their budget plan during these challenging economic times. I also understand the legislature’s budget process is far from complete, and that the House has yet to consider SB 152, which would provide significant revenue through licensing one high-end, highly regulated casino so we can reinvest in our priorities to create good jobs and encourage innovative economic growth.
“In its proposal, the House Finance Committee clearly identifies additional priorities that need further attention and funding. Those are priorities that I share, and which I helped fund in my balanced budget proposal with the revenue from one casino license.
“It is clear that the $80 million from licensing one casino is needed to improve upon the hard work of the Finance Committee and restore critical funds for our university system in order to freeze tuition, for uncompensated care at New Hampshire’s hospitals, and for aid to local communities. As the budget advances, I look forward to working with members of both the House and Senate to finalize a balanced plan that protects the basic services that support the overall well-being of our families and that invests in the priorities needed to build a more innovative economic future.”
Gov Hassan, State Budget Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 08:08AM 
CONCORD - Today House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) and Republican Members of the House Finance Committee offered the following comments in reaction to the committee recommendations on HB1 and HB2, bills dealing with the State budget and appropriations. In separate votes, the committee voted 14-8 to send the amended versions of HB1 and HB2 to the full House.
Rep Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett), House Republican Leader
“I’d like to thank the Republican members of the House Finance Committee for their tireless efforts in looking out for the taxpayers of our State. Republicans have fought for a more affordable, more efficient and more accountable state government, but being in the minority, we don’t always win. The majority party, unfortunately, has created a budget that overspends, expands government and adds taxes and fees on our already over taxed families and businesses. This is not the right direction for New Hampshire. House Republicans will continue to bring attention to what we believe are better ways to help our citizens and our economy.”
Rep. Neal Kurk (R-Weare), House Finance Ranking Republican
“This budget is balanced on unrealistic revenue estimates and gimmicks that simply put off the eventual day of reckoning. It includes over $70 million in increased taxes that will hurt the economy and job creation. It spends 10.2% more money than the previous state budget. When the economy is growing at 2% per year, at best, and the government is growing at 5% per year, we should have a real concern about where this budget will lead our State. It’s unaffordable and sets us up for failure both in the near future and in future biennia.”
Rep. Lynne Ober (R-Hudson), House Finance Member
“This budget cuts entirely the state’s aid for school construction for the next biennium. School building aid is vital to the safety and well being of students across the state by aiding local districts in building and renovating our aging or over crowded education facilities. The previous legislature saw the benefit of state aid for these projects. The Democrats on the committee apparently would prefer to grow our state government rather than aid localities in building 21st century facilities for our children.”
Rep. Ken Weyler (R-Kingston), House Finance Member
“This budget unfairly targets charter schools by issuing a moratorium on them and also ends the education opportunity scholarship program. By stifling charter school innovation and taking away school choice options from needy families, it’s clear that the Democrats are looking to protect failing public schools and continue their tradition of ceding to public union interests.”
Rep. Karen Umberger (R-Intervale), House Finance Member
“I find it unbelievable that the Democrats on House Finance would vote to cede nearly all legislative discretion and allow the Governor to sweep millions of dollars out of dedicated funds to cover a budget deficit. This could affect as many as 300 state programs or agencies that rely on dedicated funds including Fish & Game, State Parks, Enhanced 911 System or even unemployment compensation. Responsible budgeting starts with transparency. This is a terrible precedent to set. When people buy into these funds via a fee or license, they expect that those dollars be used for that purpose. Why have dedicated funds if the Governor can use them as an ATM?”
NH House Republicans, State Budget Monday, February 25, 2013 at 10:58AM 
Concord, NH - New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Horn filed the following complaint with Attorney General Michael Delaney regarding Governor Maggie Hassan's unwillingness to comply with state law and submit required budget documents to the legislature:
Attorney General Michael Delaney
New Hampshire Department of Justice
33 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
Dear Attorney General Delaney,
On behalf of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, I am writing to respectfully register an official complaint regarding Governor Maggie Hassan’s deliberate attempt to undermine New Hampshire law by refusing to submit required budget documents to the legislature. I ask that you instruct the governor to immediately comply with the law in order to uphold the integrity of New Hampshire’s budget process and allow the legislature to fully review her irresponsible fiscal proposal.
New Hampshire law clearly (RSA 9:2) states that “Not later than February 15 of the year of each biennial legislative session, the governor shall transmit to the legislature a document to be known as a budget setting forth the governor's financial program for each of the fiscal years of the ensuing biennium and having the character and scope hereinafter set forth.” The law (RSA 9:3) also lays out the three components of the budget that are required to be submitted to the legislature.
As of this writing - over one week after the required February 15 deadline - Governor Hassan is intentionally ignoring and violating New Hampshire law. She is refusing to submit documents that include the explanations and legal language regarding her proposal that will become the House Bill 2 (HB 2) component of the state budget.
Governor Hassan’s actions are irresponsible and are prohibiting the legislature from fully reviewing her reckless proposal. She is constructing a fiscally irresponsible house of cards that could collapse at any minute because it relies on $80 million in non-existent casino licensing revenues. She is gambling with New Hampshire’s fiscal integrity and putting the fate of many critical state services at risk. Our legislators must be able to review the important documents that are required by law in order to ensure that we do not face a potential deficit.
I recognize that you are in a difficult position to take action against Governor Hassan’s blatant attempt to subvert New Hampshire law given you are soon facing re-nomination to your position. I am also aware that you are one of the most prominent New Hampshire Democrats to speak out against the governor’s budget and oppose her irresponsible revenue scheme. I congratulate you on your courageous and principled stand against bad policy that threatens our state’s fiscal integrity. But any attempt by Governor Hassan to reject your re-nomination as a result of your opposition to her budget or your efforts to force her to comply with state law would be viewed as politically vindictive. I would hope that Governor Hassan would realize this and refrain from punishing you for simply doing your job and doing what is best for the State of New Hampshire.
I thank you for your attention to this pressing matter and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Horn
Chairman
New Hampshire Republican State Committee
Gov Hassan, NH GOP, Party Politics, State Budget