Compromise budget passed

On September 16^th, a compromise budget was passed by the House and Senate, with both branches solidly achieving the two-thirds majority vote needed to override Gov. Maggie Hassan’s veto.

The compromise budget includes funding for pay raises for state employees requested by Gov. Hassan as well as the business tax cuts Republican lawmakers sought. The tax cuts will be implemented a year earlier than previous planned, but will not fully come into effect unless state revenues hit set targets.

“This fiscally responsible, bipartisan, compromise budget addresses the central concern that I had with the original budget – unpaid-for tax cuts – by including important safeguards that will help ensure long-term fiscal responsibility and protect our ability to support critical economic priorities in the future,” Gov. Hassan said in a statement.

Opponents of the deal included several House Republicans, who argued that the compromise plan was rushed through the process, with insufficient time for public input. “I’m very concerned the process is rushed, with very little, to no, input requested from most members of the House,” Rep. Laurie Sanborn (R-Bedford) stated.

This was the first time that a state budget veto has been successfully overridden.

Several other bills vetoed by the governor were brought to the floor, but none achieved the necessary votes for an override. Click here for more information.