How much will the budget cost you?
In a quiet New Hampshire neighborhood, one family is bracing for the very real consequences of the state’s proposed budget that is set to take away services people rely on and have a ripple effect through their daily lives in deeply personal ways.
For Mary, Susan, John, Josh, and Jen — and countless others like them — the services being taken away aren’t abstract.
Republicans are making immediate, tangible threats to Granite Staters’ health, livelihood, and sense of community. These aren’t just budget lines. These are programs and services that save lives. House Republicans just passed their version of the state budget that takes funding away from health care, higher education, and public safety —undermining the health, safety, and well-being of New Hampshire communities and increasing costs on Granite Staters. The budget is now with the State Senate who will vote on their version on June 5. Learn more about how much the budget will cost you below.
Health Care
John works for the Department of Health and Human Services. Sudden Republican budget cuts to HHS have put his job at risk. The very department tasked with protecting public health, supporting vulnerable families, and caring for the elderly is now going to have to lay off staff and scale back services because Republicans cut $46 million from the department. For John, this isn’t just a paycheck — it’s a mission. And it’s also his family’s stability, now hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, House Republicans passed a state budget that includes massive cuts to Medicaid services and forces hardworking Granite Staters to pay new, excessive health care costs. Republicans also eliminate the state’s family planning program, which gives funding to local health care centers to provide cancer screenings, birth control, and STD testing.
Families with children covered by Medicaid would start paying up to 5% of their annual income in premiums if they make around $68,000. If Granite Staters are forced to pay more for Medicaid, it could result in higher rates of uncompensated care, strains on the health care system, and lack of access to essential substance abuse treatment.
Higher Education
Josh, the family’s high schooler, has poured his heart into basketball, and he dreams of continuing to play at college. Unfortunately, House Republicans passed a budget that eliminates $50 million a year from the University System of New Hampshire – which is already the lowest-funded public university system in the entire country. In-state tuition is expected to climb, making higher education less accessible for families like his. Josh wonders how he’ll afford to stay close to home for college or whether he’ll have to give up on that dream entirely.
About half of all New Hampshire college students leave the state to attend school elsewhere, in part due to the lack of affordable in-state tuition. This phenomenon has a broader negative impact on New Hampshire’s economy, reducing skilled workers, future professionals, and economic growth.
Public Safety
Even as the state struggles to recruit and retain correctional staff, House Republicans voted to slash funding for critical security positions, putting public safety at risk.
House Republicans also voted to eliminate $17 million per year from the Department of Corrections budget and lay off 92 Corrections employees. The Department of Corrections has long dealt with staffing issues. The layoffs will endanger staff and inmates and hurt treatment programming required by court orders.
New Fees
The House Republican budget includes 90 new or increased fees that Granite Staters will have to pay on everything from registering your car to fishing to veteran burial services:
- Veteran’s burial service fee: from $450 to $550
- Fisheries habitat fee (added to state fishing license): from $1 to $5
- Pesticide application permit fee: from $20 to $60
- Annual dam registration fee: doubled across the board, including increase of $1,500 to $3,000 for “high hazard” dams
- Automotive oil fee: from 2 cents per gallon to 5 cents per gallon
- Certificate of title: from $25 to $35
- Cement mixer registration: from $6 to $11
- Motorcycle registration: from $15 to $30
- Voluntary dock registration fee: from $200 to $300
Read the full list here.
Housing
New Hampshire is facing an ongoing housing crisis, with at least 90,000 additional units needed to meet demand. Despite businesses across the state naming housing as their number one need to bring in employees and boost the workforce, only 13% of the state’s housing is considered affordable for those earning the area median income.
New Hampshire saw a staggering 52% increase in homelessness over the past year, meanwhile the national average increased by 4 times less than that.
Instead of making a meaningful effort to address the crisis, House Republicans’ budget does not include any additional funding to expand the housing supply and meet demands across the state. House Republicans and Governor Ayotte believe “what we have is working,” — but the vast majority of Granite Staters disagree.
Child Care & Developmental Services
11-year-old Jen has been thriving, thanks to services for children with developmental disabilities. These programs help her learn, grow, and engage with the world around her — but with over $40 million in cuts proposed for developmental services, waitlists for services are likely to return. Her parents worry about what will happen if Jen suddenly loses access to the support that has been helping her flourish.
House Republicans’ budget cuts $15 million from child care programs and $12 million from the child care scholarship fund, This scholarship program has seen a 46% increase in participation just over the past year, and cuts in the NH GOP budget will reduce access to child care and increase costs for families that can least afford it.
Like many parents in New Hampshire, Susan relies on child care professionals to help her care for her daughter. When child care providers are forced to cut staff, raise costs, or close altogether because of House Republicans’ budget cuts, Susan will either have to spend more money to find a child care professional who can help, or she’ll have to cut back on the amount of time she can spend with her business.
Energy
House Republicans’ budget effectively cuts the entirety of the states’ Renewable Energy Fund, leaving families to struggle with rising energy and utility costs. State regulations on net metering are artificially constraining local renewable energy sources, preventing communities from fully benefiting from lower-cost, sustainable options.
Despite the urgent need for relief, Republicans’ budget failed to address the issue, leaving families and businesses behind. A lack of investment from Republicans’ budget in the power grid prevents energy sources from competing, keeping prices high. As a result, families and individuals are unable to access cost-saving measures that could lower monthly energy bills. Instead, they are left paying higher prices because Republicans refuse to make long-term investments in infrastructure that put working families and individuals first.
Arts & Culture
Susan is also active in the local arts community, and the Republicans’ elimination of the New Hampshire Council on the Arts — which supports local theater, music, and youth programs — feels like a loss not just for her family, but for the culture and vibrancy of their town.
Under House Republicans, the New Hampshire State Council of the Arts will no longer receive funding, threatening 21,000 jobs and jeopardizing arts programs provided to Granite Staters. Federal funding cuts to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is threatening access to public libraries for Granite Staters. Public libraries in New Hampshire rely on IMLS to fund special projects, research and educational opportunities.
