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A NEW YEAR and a new session bring new leadership to the New Hampshire Senate, but the same commitment to conservative, Republican principles that has put the Granite State on the path to prosperity. Under Republican legislatures and Governor Chris Sununu, New Hampshire not only ranks as the freest state in the nation, but the safest and most prosperous, with the lowest poverty rate and the most economic opportunity.
Incoming Governor Kelly Ayotte and Republican candidates for House and Senate promised to build on this success, and New Hampshire voters rewarded us with increased majorities at the State House.
Responsible leadership starts with a balanced budget. Senate Republicans take pride in the role we’ve played in passing balanced budgets that lowered taxes for every New Hampshire home and business, increased funding for Granite State schools, and expanded opportunities for our families. And we’ve not only done it without a broad-based tax, but we’ve made New Hampshire completely income tax free.
This year’s budget will be a challenge. Inflation fueled by out-of-control federal spending forced interest rate increases that slowed the national economy, and that is being felt here. As we tackle the tough choices that a balanced budget forces, rest assured we will never support an income tax, a sales tax, a capital gains tax, or higher property taxes.
The housing shortage is not only a challenge for New Hampshire families, but an obstacle to our state’s continued economic growth. Steps we’ve taken such as increasing the Affordable Housing Fund and a new Housing Champions program are starting to show results in increased housing starts. We will continue to make housing our top economic priority. In fact, Senator Dan Innis convened the Senate Commerce Committee within hours of Governor Ayotte’s inauguration to consider a bill to open up financing options for new housing projects. We are setting up a special subcommittee on housing to bring all our policy options together to increase access to housing for New Hampshire families.
We will keep New Hampshire the safest state in the nation. We’re going to ban sanctuary cities to avoid the chaos and rampant spending hitting states like Massachusetts that have supported open border policies. We will continue to support the Northern Border Alliance and block attempts to repeal it. We will continue to improve the landmark bail reform law we passed last year to end the “catch and release” system for violent offenders. And we will toughen sentences for reckless criminals who traffic in deadly fentanyl and other drugs. Supporting our law enforcement officers helps them keep us safe.
Parents know what is best for their children, and Senate Republicans will always have their backs. We will pass a “Parents Bill of Rights” to guarantee that parents always know what is happening with their kids in New Hampshire schools. We will support the Education Freedom Account program, which is providing more than 5,000 working families with educational alternatives that their kids need.
The Student-Centered Education Funding Formula included in the last budget is increasing state aid to local school districts by 31% over this decade. One area where costs have risen higher than anticipated was special education, and we will make that a top priority in the next budget.
Several years of responsible management produced large surpluses that we have dedicated to unprecedented state aid to local communities, including record amounts of education funding, new investments in water infrastructure, and road and bridge aid. We are doing our part to bring down local property taxes, but local tax rates will always be driven by local spending decisions. Taxpayers facing rising property tax rates should insist on the same fiscal discipline locally that we’ve delivered at the State House.
There are more challenges ahead, such as PFAS in our water, high electric rates, and the cost of health care. We don’t promise easy answers, but we do promise the same commitment to solving these issues that we’ve demonstrated in the past.
A new year with new leadership means we will keep fighting for the Granite State’s prosperity.
Sen. Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) is president of the New Hampshire Senate. Sen. Regina Birdsell (R-Hampstead) is Senate majority leader.
Do you agree with Sens. Carson and Birdsell? Consider making a $25, $50 or even $100 donation to the NH Senate Republicans! (Secure Link)
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