Sanborn Introduces Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment

CONCORD, NH - State Sen. Andy Sanborn, R-Bedford, introduced CACR 27 on Feb. 2, 2016, a constitutional amendment that would require New Hampshire’s operating budget expenditures not to exceed revenue received each year.

Sanborn, the bill’s prime sponsor, issued a statement following the introduction of the legislation to the Senate Finance Committee, saying the legislation would allow voters to decide on whether or not to amend the Constitution to require that a balanced budget be enacted.

“The people of New Hampshire continue to be disappointed at the out of control spending we see from politicians. Despite campaign pledges of fiscal responsibility, once elected, we see an inability or unwillingness to spend frugally, and only to the extent that revenue comes in,“ he said. “ With a National deficit of over $19 trillion looming and knowing the governor of New Hampshire needed to enact two executive orders to cut over spending in the past year, this is the clearest message telling us that we need to codify in the state’s constitution, and meet our citizens’ expectations to operate within a balanced budget every biennium.”

Sanborn added that that amendment was “a common sense measure ensures a greater level of fiscal responsibility is enforced for years to come in New Hampshire.”