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“This budget bankrupts our future—and Senate Republicans are laughing about it.”

CONCORD, NH — As the Senate begins its work on the state budget, Senate Republicans made one thing clear this afternoon: they do not want to hear from the public.

During today’s Senate Finance Committee hearing, Republican Chair Senator James Gray called for a show-of-hands vote on whether to hold additional public budget hearings outside Concord. Both Senate Democrats on the committee voted in favor of giving Granite Staters a chance to weigh in. The Republican majority, while laughing, voted no—a direct insult to the working families, seniors, and young people who will be hit hardest by this budget.

“This is not the New Hampshire way,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka. “This budget will force working families to pay more for health care, property taxes, and basic services—yet Senate Republicans think it’s a joke. Granite Staters deserve a voice in this process, not mockery.”

The House-passed budget includes:

• A new Medicaid income tax on working families and increases to health care costs

• Slashed aid to cities and towns, driving up property taxes

• Deep cuts to mental health, higher education, and public safety

• Millions in new giveaways for wealthy corporations, the rich, and expanded private school vouchers

“Refusing to hold field hearings tells Granite Staters exactly who Senate Republicans are listening to—and it’s not them,” said Senator Cindy Rosenwald, ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. “We should be expanding access to the budget process, not rigging it behind closed doors for the rich and powerful.”

In response to the Senate Republicans refusal, Senate Democrats have announced a public listening session on Wednesday, April 23rd at 6:30 pm at Winnacunnet High School. Granite Staters will have the opportunity to speak to how the House-passed budget would impact them. RSVP at tinyurl.com/nhsenatedems. 

“Senate Democrats asked for at least one evening hearing outside Concord to give working people a real opportunity to weigh in," added Perkins Kwoka. “If Republicans want to raise people’s costs and gut our services, they should at least have the courage to look Granite Staters in the eye while they do it. Since Republicans won’t step up - we will.”