CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The Latest on Gov. Chris Sununu’s budget address (all times local):
12:30 p.m.
Republican legislative leaders say Gov. Chris Sununu’s proposed budget builds on their party’s good work, while Democrats say they don’t appreciate what they heard as a bullying, threatening tone.
The Republican governor told lawmakers Thursday that his budget is free of politics, though he devoted part of his address to expressing concern about legislation making its way through the Legislature, which is now controlled by Democrats. He criticized lawmakers for proposing billions of dollars’ worth of new spending without viable ways to pay for it and urged them to “stand with taxpayers.”
Democratic leaders said they were disappointed by the accusatory tone and said it insulted lawmakers’ hard work. Republican leaders praised Sununu’s plan, saying it hits on important programs that made past Republican budgets successful.
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12:10 p.m.
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has proposed a two-year, $13.1 billion budget he says prioritizes New Hampshire’s needs while living within its means.
Sununu told lawmakers Thursday his plan is fiscally responsible, invests in children, creates equal opportunity for all and ensures vulnerable citizens don’t fall through the cracks. It includes adding more than $27 million to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing it to an all-time high of $137 million.
Other highlights include legalizing sports betting, increased funding to help victims of domestic and sexual violence, and the creation of a Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services.
Two years ago, the Republican-led Legislature ultimately approved an $11.7 billion plan after the House failed to pass a budget for the first time in decades. Democrats now control both chambers.
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10:50 a.m.
Gov. Chris Sununu says with his proposed budget and other executive actions coming soon, New Hampshire can achieve two-thirds of the goals outlined in the state’s new 10-year plan for mental health in just two years.
In his budget address Thursday, Sununu called for spending $40 million to build a new facility on the grounds of New Hampshire Hospital so patients who need secure treatment but have committed no crimes are no longer held at the state prison. He also proposed new psychiatric beds around the state to alleviate a growing crisis of patients waiting in emergency departments.
Sununu said he hopes hospitals will partner with the state to build their own psychiatric units.
Democrats have proposed legislation along those lines, using surplus money. Sununu had said he had concerns about using the money that way.
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10:40 a.m.
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu says he’s heavily investing in education with his two-year budget plan.
Sununu got a standing ovation Thursday when he announced that he wants to spend $63.7 million in one-time, surplus funds to provide school building aid for property-poor districts. His budget also includes increased funding for special education to $26.5 million, the highest level since 2012, and increases tuition and transportation aid to its highest level ever.
That money -$8.6 million- will help students get to community colleges under the New Hampshire Career Academy initiative he announced last month.
Sununu also called for $32 million for a new loan forgiveness program to encourage college graduates to work in the state.
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9:30 a.m.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is outlining his spending priorities for the next two years in a budget address to lawmakers.
Sununu, a Republican in his second term, is speaking before the Legislature on Thursday morning. In excerpts of his speech released by his office, Sununu says his budget is free of gimmicks, politics or new taxes. Highlights will include providing more school building aid to needy communities, student loan assistance initiatives and putting more money into the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
The budget also will continue scheduled business tax cuts that Democrats have been trying to stop. Sununu says tax relief has boosted the economy and the state’s economic competitiveness.
Unlike two years ago, Sununu now faces a House and Senate both controlled by Democrats.
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