Thursday, April 10th was not only a long day at the State House, but a day with some wins for the people of New Hampshire, along with the losses. Before we go over some of those, let’s just briefly revisit the Democrats “Better Budget” rally held on April 9th in front of the State House. This is where the Democrat amendments to the Republican proposed House budget were unveiled to the public. A few examples:
- Reverses funding cuts to mental health services, developmental disability support and family planning
- Removes voucher expansion to the wealthy, lifts the local school budget cap, restores $50 million in university funding and protects Medicaid to schools
- Fully funds the Office of the Child Advocate, Human Rights Commission and Commission on Aging
- Eliminates the Medicaid income tax and the tax on Children’s Health Insurance coverage
That’s just a small sample of what the Democrats hoped to get passed in order to hold back any pain to NH citizens, young or old. This is what NH got instead:
- The amendment to bring back funding for Family Planning failed, 196N-174Y. Can’t afford birth control or cancer screenings? Too bad.
- The amendment to remove universal school vouchers putting that funding towards the USNH failed, 198N-166Y, making it more of a challenge now to seek higher education. It also raises the cost of the school voucher program to more than $30 million by opening it up to even more families who can already afford to send their children to private schools. In his floor speech opposing the amendment, Liberty Alliance member Rep. Dan McGuire gleefully called the university cut “his personal favorite.” The amendment to broaden free and reduced price school lunch funding by aligning Medicaid enrollment with eligibility for school meals, beginning in 2027-28 school year failed by one vote, 182N-181Y. It should be noted while Rep. Hope Damon, speaking in support of the amendment, about 20 Republicans got up and walked out. They absolutely REFUSE to feed low-income children! The amendment to get rid of school vouchers and put that money back into public schools failed, 198N-168Y.
- The amendment to bring back funding for Human Rights Commission failed, 203N-161Y. The Office of the Child Advocate will be terminated. The NH Council on the Arts got the boot also with Liberty Alliance member Rep. Joe Sweeney calling it “state run arts programs or propaganda pieces.”
- Low income families who receive Medicaid will now have to pay a premium (tax) to use it. Leaves even less money to feed their children.
But there was some good news; the House voted 206Y-165N in support of an amendment to HB 2 removing the mandatory statewide school budget cap. People fought back against losing local control and won!
The amendment to restore the Bureau of Tax and Land Appeals passed by three votes, 183Y-180N.
The bipartisan bill to increase the maximum benefits for first responders, HB 282, actually passed, 296Y-76N.
Now we wait to see what the State Senate does with it. Or will the Senate’s majority party continue with the destruction begun by the House?