Governor Craig Benson and legislative leaders have reached agreement on a state budget. Through the use of a legislative maneuver, the deal projects 50 million dollars in new savings, but keeps spending at the same levels authorized by the budget Benson vetoed in June.
By agreeing to a laundry list of “budget alterations” both sides can step from the negotiating table claiming they got what they wanted….For Benson, the crucial bit was the promise of a larger surplus.
"We got a 50 million dollar reduction which adds up to a significant windfall for the taxpayers of NH."
But that windfall for taxpayers assumes that millions of dollars of savings will actually be there. Top legislators say that’s no sure thing. But this budget compromise is written in such a way that to them, it doesn’t matter.…..House speaker Gene Chandler.
"The fact of the matter is the budget was balanced before…..It’s still a balanced budget……If those savings materialize…..there’s nothing wrong with having that large of a surplus to go into the next biennium…..If some of them don’t, it just means the rainy day or the surplus or whatever you want to call it may be a little less, that’s all."
If there is a surplus, it would come from a new state liquor store……changes in a preferred drug list……and a new program to improve the efficiency of Medicaid……and other items. Senate finance Committee chairman Dick Green says he hopes the agreement will allow all involved parties to move past the rancor that has typified the budget process…But Green adds that since the compromise essentially leaves lawmakers original budget in tact…..it casts doubt on Governor Benson’s claims that his veto was needed to stop lawmakers from reckless spending.
"This was not about money…..It got presented as being about money in the veto message…..But this was never about money……This was about the issue of image and posturing and political maneuvering I guess is a good word."
The full legislature will take up the budget on September 4th…….To be adopted the proposal must win 2/3rds support in both chambers. Republican leaders say with Benson’s support, they expect the measure to pass. Democrats meanwhile, say their support will depend on confirming the bill’s specific language remains true to legislative intent.
