​Legislative Updates by Rep. Maureen Mooney for March, 2025

Greetings!

The New Hampshire House is still in state budget season. The state budget should be out of the House no later than April 10, 2025. Once out of the House, the Senate works on it. The clock is ticking!

Here are some highlights in Governor Ayotte’s 1,197 page proposed budget:

• More money to local towns and municipalities than ever before.
• Nearly 50% increase in special education funding.
• Grants to local communities to get cell phones out of classrooms.
• Deliver long-term solution for first responder and correction officers retirement funds.
• No waitlist for services for those with disabilities and funding mental health services through Community Health Centers.
• Streamlining the permitting process to address housing crises.

- See Governor Ayotte's Executive Budget Summary: https://www.das.nh.gov/.../Governor_Executive_Summary_FY...

Here are some informative resources outlining the Governor’s proposed budget:

- Governor Ayotte’s Budget for All of New Hampshire Fact Sheet:

https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt971/files/media/media_document/budget-fact-sheet.pdf

- Governor's Operating Budget (broken out by department): https://www.das.nh.gov/budget/2026-2027GovBudget.aspx

- Text to HB 1-A (including revenue estimates): https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/pdf.aspx?id=9982&q=billVersion

- Text to HB 2-FN-A-L: https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/pdf.aspx?id=9981&q=billVersion

- Budget information at this site: https://www.das.nh.gov/budget/index.aspx

The New Hampshire House of Representatives works on the Governor’s proposed budget now. Next month, the New Hampshire Senate works on it. Because state revenues are lower than expected and the Detention Youth Center settlements are ongoing, tough decisions must be made on what to keep, add, eliminate and/or amend.

It is critically important to know that the public is always welcome to testify and give input on the state budget. There are multiple opportunities to lend your voice to the biennial state spending discussion. The House public hearing on HBs 1 and 2 is on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 2pm.

Much more to come before a final state budget is adopted with a deadline of June, 2025.

Around Town

The Town of Merrimack has such a great history. Did you know that there were 819 residents in Merrimack in 1790? Can you name the four villages in Merrimack? Can you name the largest businesses in town? Find these answers and more at this site: https://www2.nhes.nh.gov/GraniteStats/SessionServlet?page=Community.jsp&SID=1&city=000619&cityName=Merrimack

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.