When Senate budget writers laid out details of the Republican-backed state spending proposal to lawmakers Tuesday afternoon, several Republican House members weren’t too impressed.
After the budget proposal was presented, the floor opened for discussion. Republican Rep. Jim McConnell of Swanzey was the first to take the mic.
“I’m opposed to this budget as it currently stands and I’m going to work to defeat it,” McConnell said sternly on the House floor.
McConnell is part of the Freedom Caucus, which helped defeat the Republican-backed House budget plan earlier this year. As for the Senate’s plan, he and many others say it spends too much.
But Senate President Chuck Morse says given the state’s needs, specifically on mental health services, the budget is right on target.
“And in putting that appropriation in there which is somewhere between 17 and 20 million dollars we still brought the budget in less than the House by 15 million dollars, and I challenge many people to try and do something like that," Morse said loudly.
Democrats are also opposed to the plan. They however argue it doesn't spend enough for services such as substance abuse and developmental disabilities.
The full Senate plans to vote on the budget Wednesday. Then the House has a chance to weigh in.
