Legislative Updates by Rep. Maureen Mooney for June, 2025

Greetings!

The state budget process for the ’26-’27 state budget is not over yet. Two weeks ago, the NH State Senate adopted its version of HBs 1 and 2. Here is some of what the NH State Senate wants to add to the House version of the budget:

- Restoring the New Hampshire Council on the Arts, funded by a new Granite Patron of the Arts Tax Credit;

- Restoring the Office of Child Advocate, Commission on Human Rights, and Commission on Aging;

- Funding $11.5 million for Phase 2B of the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Project (in addition to $5 m in the Capital Budget);

- Directing $55 million in PFAS lawsuit settlement payments to public water systems in 75 New Hampshire communities covering 400,000 Granite Staters;

- Providing $10 million for local wastewater projects;

- Restoring 75 of 100 positions in the Department of Corrections;

- Dedicating $85 million to University of New Hampshire;

- Dedicating $100 million to the YDC Settlement Fund.

The total budget amount for the NH State Senate proposals: approx. $15.9 billion. See here. You can watch a review of the State Senate amendments to the proposed House budget here.

You may ask, where did the NH State Senate find more money for additional expenses? The answer always comes down to revenue estimates and how they are calculated. Typically, revenue estimates are better in April, May and June.

Next steps include a “Committee of Conference” whereby House and Senate members come together to negotiate amendments to the budget. After agreement by both bodies, it then goes to the Governor’s desk for a signature. Much more to come but here is an informative article on the budget committee of conference so far, included update revenue estimates.

Around Town

Congratulations to the Merrimack High School Class of 2025! Your future is bright!

The annual Hot Dogz for ALZ is Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Our Lady of Mercy Church. To contribute and for more details, click here.

The 4th of July is almost here! Be sure to attend the Merrimack Rotary Pancake Breakfast from 8-11am at the Merrimack High School. Details here. Also, the Merrimack Parks and Recreation is again hosting the 4th of July Parade. Details here.

Merrimack Parks and Recreation also hosts “Thursday Night Live - 2025 Summer Concert Series” throughout the summer June 26 to August 21, 2025. See details here.

See you around town!

Rep. Maureen Mooney is in her sixth term as a NH State Representative serving Merrimack. Her website is: www.votemooney.com and Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/maureenmooneynh.