Hassan to Colleagues: Time to Spend More on NH's Opioid Crisis

CONCORD, NH - Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, is calling on her legislative colleagues to strengthen the state's Rainy Day Fund and reiterated her support for providing additional resources to address critical priorities, such as combating the heroin and opioid crisis.

In a letter to State Senate President Chuck Morse, R-Salem, and Speaker of the House Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson, Hassan state that due to "strong revenues," the Rainy Day Fund is projected to reach its statutory limit of 10 percent (between $140-$150 million) of general fund unrestricted revenues by the end of this biennium, even after providing additional resources to address critical priorities.

“Revenues are already $80 million above plan this year, and expected to exceed plan by a similar amount next year,” Hassan wrote. “With these revenue surpluses, combined with the $30 million from the MTBE lawsuit slated to go in the Rainy Day Fund, we are on track – for the first time in recent history – to potentially fill the Rainy Day Fund to its statutory limit of 10 percent, or $140-$150 million, of general fund unrestricted revenues by the end of this biennium. This important milestone has the potential to improve New Hampshire’s bond rating over time, reducing long-term costs to our taxpayers.”

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In a statement, Hassan also outlined that strengthening the Rainy Day Fund can be accomplished "while also addressing critical priorities," including providing additional resources to address the heroin and opioid crisis, continuing to urge the legislature to support additional funds for prevention, treatment and recovery programs; supportive housing; a statewide drug court program; assistance to help support local and state law enforcement in their efforts to stop drug trafficking; technology upgrades to the prescription drug monitoring program; and an additional attorney to at the Department of Justice to focus on opioid-related crimes and issues. The cost of the additional programs is in the $10 million range, according to the letter.

Hassan also requested the state fully fund the education funding formula for FY16-17, the Police Standards and Training Council and retirees’ health insurance. She also highlighted support for Senate Bill 349, which would reform the state’s tax system to make it easier for startups to attract investment capital.

“In the months since the budget went into effect, our state’s financial situation has continued to significantly improve,” Hassan wrote. “Although late in the legislative session, we still have an opportunity to continue to work together to further our shared priorities – protecting public health and safety, ensuring our state is on a solid financial footing, and investing in building a stronger economic future.”

Democrat leaders in the Senate and House, state Sen. Jeff Woodbury, and state Rep. Stephen Shurtleff, D-Concord, were CC'd on the letter.

The full letter is posted on the governor's state website.