CONCORD, N.H. <\/p>\n
An $11.7 billion fiscal 2018-2019 state budget is on its way to Gov. Chris Sununu for his signature into law.<\/p>\n
Thursday morning, the state Senate passed a House-Senate committee of conference compromise plan on a party line vote of 14-9. All Republicans voted in favor and all Democrats voted against it. <\/p>\n
The House followed about an hour later, passing the budget on a roll call of 198-169. A week ago, the fate of the budget in the House was uncertain. But in the key vote Thursday only 14 Republicans voted in opposition. Five Democrats supported it. <\/p>\n
For the bill roll call on the budget bill, House Bill 144, click here. The House currently has 221 Republican, 170 Democratic and two Libertarian members. <\/p>\n
The initial House leadership budget failed in April, primarily because of staunch conservative opposition. But the new plan appealed to most members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and House Republican Alliance, who credit the work of the Senate Republican leadership in adding business tax cuts. <\/p>\n
The Senate also passed by the same 14-9 margin a companion bill that made policy changes reflected in the budget. The House followed by passing that bill, 212-161. <\/p>\n
John DiStaso\/WMUR <\/p>\n
Included in the companion bill are a phase-in of business tax cuts, elimination of the electricity consumption tax, potential changes to the Medicaid expansion program and authorization of online lottery games. <\/p>\n
The budget will take effect on July 1, the first day of the new state fiscal year.<\/p>\n
In a statement after the budget votes, Sununu praised the Republican legislative majorities: <\/p>\n
New Hampshire is on a pathway to prosperity, and Republicans are leading the way. <\/p>\n
\"Granite Staters sent us to Concord to take action and to address New Hampshires most critical public policy and program priorities. I am proud to say that we have delivered results for the people of New Hampshire. <\/p>\n
\"This is a fiscally responsible budget that lives within our means, promotes job creation through tax cuts, reforms the Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), and funds our broken mental health system. <\/p>\n
Sununu added: \"Our budget is a bold step in the right direction a step toward restoring the New Hampshire advantage, and reaffirming the commitment we made to the people to provide tax relief that boosts our economy and returns money to your pocket. From business tax cuts to eliminating the Electricity Consumption Tax, our budget empowers small business owners to reinvest, which will reinvigorate and grow our economy. <\/p>\n
Sununu and GOP lawmakers gathered in the Executive Council chambers shortly after the House vote to celebrate passage of the key budget and trailer bills.<\/p>\n
But New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley blasted Sununu and his fellow Republicans. <\/p>\n
\"Gov. Sununu's reckless and dangerous budget will take New Hampshire's progress and turn it into disrepair,\" Buckley said. \"The governor wants to give corporations a tax cut they never asked for. By doing so, he's denying businesses the workforce training they did ask for. <\/p>\n
\"These tax cuts are paid for by under-funding programs like the alcohol fund, DCYF, and the developmental disability wait list. The governor may think these tax cuts are no big deal, but they're a big deal to the people in the state who are seeking refuge from abuse and addiction or who need help with a disability,\" said Buckley.<\/p>\n
Later Thursday, the House and Senate will take up a plan to boost funding for local kindergarten programs by more than $10 million a year with revenue from legalized Keno. <\/p>\n
WEBVTT MAINE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.BREAKING NEWS FROM CONCORD,HOUSE HAS PASSED THE BUDGET BYWIN98-168 -- 198168 VOTE.THEY CRAFTED THIS $11 BILLIONSPENDING BILL EARLY THISMORNING.STATE REPS STARTED OFF BYAPPROVING A LAST-MINUTE FIX TOTHE FETAL HOMICIDE BILL THEYPASSED EARLIER THIS SESSION.THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE BILLACCIDENTALLY INCLUDED LANGUAGETHAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED PREGNANTWOMEN TO COMMIT MURDER WITHOUTANY CONSEQUENCES.<\/p>\n
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UPDATED: State Senate, House pass $11.7 billion budget on party line votes, send to governor - WMUR Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CONCORD, N.H. An $11.7 billion fiscal 2018-2019 state budget is on its way to Gov. Continue reading