Americans for Prosperity Offers Support for Senate Finance Committee Budget Proposal

MANCHESTER – Americans for Prosperity – New Hampshire (AFP-NH) today offered support for the Senate Finance Committee’s proposed budget (HB 1 & 2). The Senate budget eliminates many costly tax and spending items included in the House version of the budget, such as Medicaid expansion under ObamaCare, a 67% increase in the gas and diesel tax and four business tax increases.  The Senate budget checks in at $10.7 billion over the two-year budget, compared to the House budget, which totals $11.6 billion, after factoring in Medicaid expansion and the gas tax increase.

“In sharp contrast to the reckless approach to budgeting by the Governor and the House that grew state government by 16%, the Senate budget responsibly lives within the means that the state can afford,” said Greg Moore, AFP-NH State Director.  “The Senate budget is committed to growing our economy, not growing state government, and protecting the long-term fiscal health of New Hampshire.  This version includes no tax increases, no fee increases and realistic revenue projections.  We would like to commend Senator Morse and the Finance Committee for their hard work to ensure a prosperous future for the Granite State.”

AFP particularly noted the decision by the Senate Finance Committee to hold off on the expansion of the state’s Medicaid program by adding tens of thousands of new beneficiaries to the program.  Instead, the Senate budget includes a study commissioned to review the long-term impact to the program before such an enormous growth in a program that is already the largest in state government.

“The ObamaCare Medicaid expansion is a recipe for bankrupting state government in the long run,” added Moore.  “ObamaCare supporters suggest that the federal government will pay for all of the program over the short term and the vast majority of the program over the long term despite the fact the we already have nearly $17 trillion in debt.  It’s also theoretically possible we might find unicorns prancing through the North Country and that the Red Sox might win the next 10 World Series.  However, counting on any of these scenarios is like depending on winning Powerball to pay this month’s rent.  That’s why we applaud the Senate for making the cautious, responsible move of taking a step away from this edge of the cliff before diving onto the rocks below of Medicaid expansion.”