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Hassan Vetoes Budget

Paige Sutherland for NHPR

As promised, Governor Maggie Hassan has vetoed the 2016-17 budget approved by the Republican-led House and Senate. 

Related Infographic - 2015 Budget: Where the Governor and Legislature Disagree

The legislature and Hassan have been unable to come to an agreement on the next two-year spending plan. Hassan vowed to veto the budget crafted by a committee of conference last week if it included business tax cuts that are a top priority for Republicans.

In her veto message, the governor called the legislature's budget unbalanced and said, “it makes false promises about what it funds, and gives unpaid-for tax giveaways to big corporations, many based out-of-state, at the expense of critical economic priorities, including higher education, health care, public safety and transportation."

Following the veto, Senate President Chuck Morse issued the following statement:

“I am extremely disappointed in Governor Hassan’s action to veto the budget because it blocks important funding increases that support state agencies and our state’s neediest citizens and creates uncertainty within these organizations. In addition, the veto puts on hold important business tax reductions that are designed to create jobs and stimulate New Hampshire’s business economy."

House and Senate leadership say they'd like to return to the negotiating table to craft a compromise budget in the fall.

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