Health & Fitness
Gov. Hassan: 'Unaware' of Other Tax Increases in Budget
Video of Gov. Hassan included.
Recently, Governor Maggie Hassan attended the Londonderry/Derry Chamber of Commerce “State of the Region” address. At it, the Governor raised a few eyebrows with her response to a question regarding the increased taxes and fees included in the House-passed budget.
While she admitted the House-passed budget does include increases in the Tobacco Tax, she continued by saying she was “unaware” of other tax increases in the budget. These increases add up to a total of $263 million. The others she seemed to forget were increases in the Gas Tax, Business Tax Audits and suspended Tax Reforms. (http://gencourt.state.nh.us/LBA/Budget/operating_budgets/2014_2015/HB%202%20House%20Passed%204-3-13.pdf) (http://gencourt.state.nh.us/LBA/Budget/operating_budgets/2014_2015/HB1%20House%20Passed.pdf)
Video of Governor Hassan answering the question can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ezKxzjUHgY&feature=youtu.be
This statement from Governor Hassan comes on the heels of newly elected State Rep. William O’Neil who said that there “aren’t any higher taxes and fees” in the House-passed budget. Video of that can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNf6S5yzIgg
Derek Dufresne, spokesman for Citizens for a Strong New Hampshire, Inc, made the following statement:
“While New Hampshire families are struggling, Governor Hassan and her colleagues in the State House have been trying to figure out how they can get more of their hard-earned money. However, what is even more striking is how our elected officials can so easily overlook $263 million in increased taxes and fees in the House-passed budget.
“While it might be easy for Governor Hassan to say she is ‘unaware’ of the increased taxes, middle-class families who are forced to foot the bill for her out-of-control spending aren’t able to forget so easily. We urge New Hampshire residents to call Governor Hassan at 603-271-2121 and tell her to be honest about the increased taxes and fees in the House passed budget.”
