By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – The Senate Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the House passed budget on Tuesday, May 6 beginning at 1 p.m. at the State House, but the Republican controlled body voted against a suggestion they “go on the road” to hear what the public has to say.
Senate Democrats, however, announced a public listening session on the budget will be held on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Winnacunnet High School, 1 Alumni Drive in Hampton.
RSVP at tinyurl.com/nhsenatedems.
Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Senator James P. Gray, R-Rochester, said it is a very busy time in Concord and asked, “How do you fit it in?”
State Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, a member of the committee said she hoped that it could happen as many people work during the day or have childcare obligations which prevent them from attending a hearing in Concord.
She suggested that a public hearing somewhere in the state preferably in the evening could allow the Senate to better accommodate the public.
State Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, said given the public’s feelings about access and trust he said he would hope there would be a way to have a meeting in the evening.
Gray noted that the public hearing May 6 will begin at 1 p.m. and there will be a break for an hour between 5 and 6 p.m. and will continue into the evening.
On Wednesday, Senate Democrats called the vote in which all Republicans opposed an on the road public hearing “a direct insult to the working families, seniors, and young people who will be hit hardest by this budget.”
“This is not the New Hampshire way,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka. “This budget will force working families to pay more for health care, property taxes, and basic services—yet Senate Republicans think it’s a joke. Granite Staters deserve a voice in this process, not mockery.”
They noted the House passed a budget of almost $16 billion last week including a new Medicaid income tax on working families and increases to health care costs.
There is also a change in a formula to aid cities and towns which the Democrats said could drive up property taxes and deep cuts to mental health, higher education, and public safety.
Yet they note there are millions of dollars spent in that budget as “new giveaways for wealthy corporations, the rich, and expanded private school vouchers.”
“Refusing to hold field hearings tells Granite Staters exactly who Senate Republicans are listening to—and it’s not them,” said Rosenwald. “We should be expanding access to the budget process, not rigging it behind closed doors for the rich and powerful.”
Perkins Kwoka said in a statement that “if Republicans want to raise people’s costs and gut our services, they should at least have the courage to look Granite Staters in the eye while they do it. Since Republicans won’t step up – we will.”
Click the links below to tell your lawmakers what you think of various bills.
HOUSE
House meeting schedule for April – For schedule, click day, week or month
House Sign-in Form and Online Testimony Submission
View House Online Testimony Submissions
House Remote Sign In/Submit/View Testimony Directions (PDF)
Watch House committee meetings and sessions
SENATE
Senate meeting schedule for April For schedule, click day, week or month
Senate Remote Sign In
Senate Remote Sign In Directions (PDF)
Watch Senate committee meetings and sessions