NH Budget Negotiators Named

House Speaker Terie Norelli and Senate President Peter Bragdon struck a cordial note in announcing their negotiating teams to settle their differences in the $10.7 billion state budget bill. Their respective positions on Medicaid expansion – the House for it, the Senate against – leaves some lingering tension that you wouldn't know exists from the two leaders' statements Wednesday.

Bragdon (R-Milford) focused on the similarities, not the approximate $300 million divide between the Senate and House budget versions.

"Every budget cycle is filled with challenges and difficult choices; this one is no different," Bragdon said in his statement. "However, I am pleased the House and Senate are beginning the Committee of Conference process with budgets that are very similar. We agree on -- and both fund -- the important priorities for the state, including higher education, mental health services, and economic development. These are also Governor Hassan’s top priorities.

It’s the Senate’s hope that House members will not let their desire to increase spending get in the way of reasonable compromise that reflects our shared priorities. It would be truly unfortunate for the citizens of our state if we were forced into a continuing resolution. This would mean retaining our current funding levels, rather than benefiting from the modest increases we both agree on, just because some members of the House are committed to raising taxes."

Norelli (D-Portsmouth) struck a similar tone. She said, "As we move into the Committee of Conference phase of the budget, we are fortunate to have a great team of legislators working to ensure we restore investments in our state and communities. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to finalize a budget in a timely manner.”

Budget negotiating teams

Senate:  Chuck Morse (R-Salem), Bob Odell (R-Lempster), Jeanie Forrester (R-Meredith) and Lou D'Allesandro (D-Manchester).

House: Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord), Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua), Susan Almy (D-Lebanon), Dan Eaton (D-Stoddard) and Neal Kurk (R-Weare).

House conferee alternates named are, for House Bill 1: Bernie Benn (D-Hanover), Tom Buco (D-Conway), Patty Lovejoy (D-Stratham), Key Weyler (R-Kingston); and for House Bill 2 – Peter Leishman (D-Milford), Sue Ford (D-Easton), Sharon Nordgren (D-Hanover) and Norm Major (R-Plaistow).

The budget committee of conference is scheduled to convene Friday, 10 a.m., in Rooms 210-211 of the Legislative Office Building.