Rung: The Truth About the State and Merrimack Property Taxes

Rep. Maureen Mooney published an opinion piece that denies the financial straits placed by Republicans onto Merrimack families and seniors. As a member of the House Finance Committee, let me set the record straight.

Rep. Mooney disputes the downshifting of State costs to local property taxpayers, but the facts are clear. When the State reneged on its commitment to fund a third of the State’s pension fund, all that cost went down to local towns, counties and school districts. Additionally, they have raised 58 State fees that will increase costs to our town and school district, thus raising local property taxes. Also, the State is not paying their fair share of education funding, as confirmed by not one, but two, State Supreme Court decisions.

The Merrimack School Board agrees. They held a special session with Merrimack’s state reps and state senator earlier this year and showed that education adequacy funding is actually lower than it was in 1999 ($10.1 million vs. $9.6 million in 2026) and if adjusted for inflation, the State’s funding should actually be $18.6 million this year. Add to this that Republicans have cut other sources of school funding and enacted a private school voucher program, costing upwards of $60 million from the State’s Education Trust Fund. It’s clear that local property taxpayers are holding the bag.

Rep. Mooney also wants you to believe that the $12.782 million going to Merrimack through meals and rooms tax revenue sharing is easing the burden on local homeowners, but what she fails to mention is that this revenue distribution is based on population so as Merrimack’s population is growing so will the amount of the distribution.

The most incredible falsehood is suggesting that House Democrats support an income tax. We oppose a state income tax. Rep. Mooney states “in one of the first votes of 2026, supported by the Democratic caucus, was to pass an income tax (House Vote 2, 2026).” First off, this vote was about suspending House rules, not about raising taxes. 280 reps – both Republican and Democrats – voted against it. But, Republicans want you to believe the opposite thinking it will gain them votes in November.

As Rep. Mooney continues to convince you that Democrats are “tax and spend,” the facts also tell a different story, one that exposes the financial recklessness of Republicans. Because of Republican’s 58 fee increases, Merrimack residents, our town and school government, and local businesses will be paying more for vehicle registrations, construction-related permits, and more, which will show up in higher local taxes and costs. As mentioned before, the $60 million private school voucher program is over budget, not subject to performance or financial accounting, and is jumping another 25% next year! Under Republican control, the State was in a $67.3 million deficit in the biennium ending last year and had to raid the Rainy Day fund to get it balanced. Over $49 million is expected to be withdrawn to cover the current budget’s shortfall, with ten months left to go.

Rep. Mooney boasts that “Republicans in Concord blocked a government shutdown, passed a balanced state budget and delivered record funding directly to Merrimack taxpayers.” This not only skews the facts, but she fails to mention the other things Republicans have done: introduced bills to secede from the US, attempts to ban all childhood vaccine requirements, removal of local control, not to mention that two Republicans faced censure by the entire House for ethics violations.

I agree with Rep. Mooney that, “proper governing requires focus, responsibility and a willingness to make sensible choices,” but diverting millions in public dollars to private entities, overspending a budget by more than $50 million and raiding the Rainy Day fund to cover it while accusing your adversaries with falsehoods is not good governing. It’s a desperate campaign tactic to mislead Merrimack voters. I hope voters remember in November.