NH GOP Using Tax Day To Set Income Tax Trap For Democrats ... And It Appears To Be Working

By Michael Graham, NH Journal

Granite State Republicans are expecting protests, complaints, and perhaps some fireworks on Wednesday — Tax Day — when they hold a hearing on their proposal to ban a state income tax. And they couldn’t be happier.

“I, for one, am grateful that the progressives are so strongly rallying support for an income tax,” a Republican political operative told NHJournal on background.

House Republicans will hold a Ways and Means Committee hearing on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Representatives Hall on an amendment to the state constitution that they’re calling their “New Hampshire Advantage Amendment.”

CACR 12 would place a question on the ballot asking Granite Staters to ban an income tax. A similar bill was opposed by Democrats and failed to get the 60 percent supermajority in the House required to amend the Constitution. At the time, House Democratic leader Rep. Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) dismissed the proposal as “an obvious political stunt” and urged Democrats to vote no.

Simpson complained that her caucus had not had time to consider the proposal and that there had been no hearing on the final version of the bill.

Wednesday’s Tax Day hearing is the GOP’s response.

“We took the Democrats’ concerns seriously. And now on Wednesday, we will give Democrats their public hearing,” the House GOP caucus posted on social media.

“We have invited both Alexis Simpson and Rep. Laura Telerski (D-Nashua) to the hearing. In fact, we’ve even saved them seats.”

Rep. Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) promoting a hearing on CACR 12, which would ban state income taxes.

Democrats do plan to attend. An effort by the left-leaning group Our Economy, Our Future has been pushing opponents of an income tax ban to participate in the hearing. As of late Tuesday night, more than 900 people had submitted online testimony opposing the anti-tax amendment, while just 729 had sent testimony in support.

“Working people in New Hampshire are getting squeezed — housing, child care, health care, groceries, property taxes. And instead of lowering costs, conservative lawmakers are pushing more tax breaks for big corporations,” the group’s website reads.

“On Tax Day, they’re holding a hearing to move that agenda forward. We’re showing up to push back.”

It is music to House Majority Leader Jason Osborne’s ears.

“Death may not be the worst of evils, but the Democrats’ support of an income tax sure comes close.”

Asked if he is expecting a crowd, Osborne said, “Yes. We’ve been telling people to show up and support. The Soros organizations are also out there telling people to show up and oppose.”

Republicans say the amendment is simple and needs no additional explanation.

“The House of Representatives shall not adopt a tax on wages, earned income, personal income, or other income of individuals,” the amendment reads.

Republicans also point out that just days before the first CACR came up for a vote, Simpson and her colleagues publicly rejected a proposal from former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andru Volinsky, insisting Democrats had no interest in an income tax. So, why not support a ban?

Recent events will give Granite Staters plenty to talk about on Tax Day.

New Hampshire has been named the state with the best taxpayer return on investment in the country for the 11th consecutive year. And another analysis found New Hampshire has the lowest total tax rate of the lower 48 states.

And the Tax Foundation ranks New Hampshire third overall for “Tax Competitiveness” in 2026 (behind Wyoming and South Dakota).

Asked what to expect on Wednesday, Rep. Joe Sweeney simply said, “Democrats advocating for an income tax.”

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.