New Hampshire Senate Faces Budget Debate Amid Controversy
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Senate advanced a budget that emphasizes fiscal prudence without raising taxes, according to Republican leaders. Senator Bob Carson highlighted efforts to restore Medicaid reimbursement rates and allocate funds for mental health services and support for those with developmental disabilities.
However, Democratic leaders criticized the budget’s foundation. Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka labeled the GOP’s tax cuts as reckless, arguing they set the stage for a budget crisis. "The arsonists don’t get credit for putting out the fire," she remarked, insisting a sustainable solution is necessary for equitable service delivery.
Democrats challenged specific provisions, particularly the newly proposed Medicaid premiums for beneficiaries earning above the federal poverty threshold, which they deemed an indisputable income tax on the vulnerable. In rebuttal, Republican Senator Regina M. Birdsell clarified that these premiums aim to assist Medicaid recipients in transitioning to other health insurance options.
The budget also introduces significant changes to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, which allows families to redirect state education funding toward private schooling. Democrats contended the revisions favor affluent families while threatening educational equity. Megan Tuttle, president of the National Education Association of New Hampshire, condemned the budget as “unjust.”
Notably, dissenting voices within the GOP emerged. Senator Keith Murphy expressed skepticism about revenue forecasts that allowed for undoing previous cuts, while Senator Victoria L. Sullivan voiced concerns about the burden of the budget’s provisions on property taxpayers.
With the Senate passing the budget without Democratic support, the next steps involve reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions before the June 26 deadline. The new budget is slated to take effect on July 1.
For further updates, contact Steven Porter at steven.porter@globe.com.
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