By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – The 16-member Republican majority of the 24-member State Senate outlined their priorities for the year with a focus on lowering costs and affordability, public safety and constitutional freedoms.

Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said while 2025 was a tough year in terms of state revenue she predicted good things for the new year and beyond.

The Senate Republicans held a morning press conference Wednesday in the State House to go over their goals and make their predictions.

“Two thousand twenty six is going to take off,” Carson said. Whatever deficit that exists in the education trust fund will be made up. We just got meals and rooms (tax revenue) that was just incredible. It shows people are coming here. Tourism is alive here in New Hampshire despite what we heard, Canadians are coming here and spending their money here.

“So we are looking forward to making this just a state where people want to come to  vacation, spend time with their families, and go out to eat. And I just look at that and I believe the rooms and meals are going to go off in 2026,” Carson said.

Sen. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, agreed and said the first six months of the budget year, this cycle was going to be rough but he noted as the interest rates are lower “it spurs businesses to grow and help.
“We’ve seen that swing start to happen,” Lang said.

The 2026 Republican Senate agenda focuses on lowering costs, protecting families and children, strengthening public safety, and defending New Hampshire’s sovereignty and constitutional freedoms.

Carson said while last year was about the budget, “this year, our agenda is even more ambitious, and I am certain that the Senate Republicans will come through for New Hampshire again.”

“Lowering property taxes, increasing affordable housing and lowering energy costs are the key to economic growth for families across this state,” said Majority Leader Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead. “Ensuring towns do not increase costs on working people is a crucial part of our 2026 agenda. We will always put taxpayers first by demanding more transparency and accountability of your elected officials before local governments spend more of your money.”

“New Hampshire remains the freest state in the nation, and our agenda protects the Live Free or Die spirit,” said Sen. Dan Innis, R- Bradford, chair of the Majority Policy Conference. “We are striving to keep the government out of your lives and out of your way as much as possible. Our goal is simple: let Granite Staters live their lives, raise their families, and succeed without the government standing in the way.”