Budget season has begun in earnest in Concord. Gov. Maggie Hassan unveiled her proposed 2016-2017 budget on Feb. 12. The budget spends $11.5 billion during the next two fiscal years; the governor estimates the state will receive $2.28 billion in revenue in 2016 and $2.32 billion in 2017. During her budget address, Hassan said the budget cut more than $1 billion from state agency requests and kept spending increases at 6.4 percent over the 2014-2015 budget.
Hassan emphasized that the state has limited resources. “We have a small, responsive state government that reflects the fiscal responsibility that our people are known for and that they demand. But the people of New Hampshire are also known for their common sense and their desire to solve problems,” she said.
Among the highlights:
• Adding $13 million in funding for the state’s university system and $6.5 million for community colleges over the biennium. The increase falls short of the amount university system officials said they needed to continue to freeze in-state tuition for another two years.
• Providing $4 million for an environmental and engineering assessment on a Boston to Nashua and Manchester commuter rail project.
• Funding three state police troopers and two state police detectives “to combat the
opioid crisis.”
• Providing $2 million for the state’s Affordable Housing fund for the development of 100-250 units of workforce housing, with preference given to veterans.
• Increasing the tobacco tax by 21 cents and increasing state motor vehicle registration fees.
• Adding Keno and self-service lottery terminals to the state lottery’s games.
• Merging 27 boards and commissions into a new Office of Professional Licensure.
• Merging the Highway Safety Agency into the Department of Safety and moving the functions of the Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission to the Lottery.
• Allowing Fish and Game to set its own license fees.
This week in Concord: On Thursday, Feb. 19, the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on HB 531, which would establish a committee to study short-term rentals through Airbnb and other online services by homeowners. Also that day, the Executive Departments and Administration Committee will look at CACR 10, which would increase the governor’s term in office from two to four years beginning in 2018; and the Labor Committee will look at HB 600, which would require employers to provide paid sick-leave for employees.
Portsmouth