A Budget That Reflects Our Values? Granite Staters Deserve Better.
Guest Commentary by Justin Glenzer, Organizing & Engagement Manager, Our Economy Our Future
When the Governor released her state budget proposal back in February, it raised serious concerns about the future of New Hampshire. With over $500 million in cuts and major shifts in funding priorities, this budget threatens the essential public services and long-term investments that Granite Staters rely on every day. It does not reflect what makes New Hampshire, New Hampshire.
It’s the latest chapter in a long history of fiscal mismanagement by the state—where tax breaks for the wealthy and multinational corporations like Amazon are prioritized over working families, students, and renters struggling to stay afloat.
We know that local communities are stretched thin with rising property taxes and more costs being diverted from the state to the local level. We simply can’t afford a budget that overlooks the pressing needs of families, workers, and young people.
A Pattern of Disinvestment
Let’s be clear: this budget didn’t appear out of nowhere. Cuts to the Business Profits Tax, the Business Enterprise Tax, and now the Interest and Dividends Tax have been a decade in the making. The effects are everywhere and all of us in the Granite State feel it.
Slashed funding for public education, child care, and the university system—threatening the future of our workforce and the stability of family life.
Gutted access to Medicaid and mental health services, putting our most vulnerable Granite Staters at risk and forcing health insurance increases for us all.
Eliminated support for the arts and for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs—eroding our communities and shared culture.
No meaningful investment in housing—even as families are priced out of their towns and young people are forced to leave the state to find somewhere they can afford to live.
Budgets are more than numbers, they are a reflection of our shared values. And right now, the values expressed in this proposal leave many Granite Staters behind.
Where Things Stand
The State Senate now has the opportunity to shape the budget using updated revenue estimates, which provide an additional $250 million compared to the earlier House version. Even with the extra revenue, this budget begins from a deeply flawed foundation. Without bold, intentional action, the final result will still fall far short of what Granite Staters need.
Let’s Focus on Housing
Few issues show what’s at stake more clearly than housing.
Every Granite Stater knows someone—or is someone—struggling to afford a place to live. Rents are skyrocketing. First-time homeownership feels like a pipe dream. Homelessness is rising. And this budget? It does next to nothing to help.
Lawmakers took a meaningful step this session by passing a set of zoning reform bills aimed at expanding housing options statewide. But as the New Hampshire Bulletin reported, many advocates are concerned that reforms without robust public investment, and including these initiatives in the budget, won’t be enough to meet the scale of the crisis.
Let’s say it plainly: New Hampshire has been facing a housing shortage for years. A lack of investment is actively making it worse.
There’s still time to change the outcome. Senators are feeling the pressure. Some are on the fence. As the budget process continues, it’s essential that housing remains at the center of the conversation, not just in policy, but in funding.
What’s Next—and What You Can Do
The Senate Finance Committee is currently crafting its version of the budget and will vote in early June. After that, it moves to the full Senate. If the House and Senate versions don’t match, a final version will be negotiated in a Committee of Conference.
We need to speak up before the deals are made.
Contact your state senator. Share your priorities and personal experience. Whether it’s housing, education, healthcare, or vital public services, your voice matters. Let them know how this budget would impact your life and your community.
Speak to your neighbors and community leaders. Change starts with conversations. Help others understand what’s at stake and encourage them to speak up, too.
Join public conversations. Submit letters to the editor and join public conversations about housing, healthcare, education, and what kind of future we want for New Hampshire.
Share your story. Personal stories are powerful. Whether you’re a renter worried about losing housing, a parent concerned about school cuts, or a health care worker witnessing the impact of underfunded services—your experience matters. Legislators need to hear what’s really happening in our communities. Post on social media, submit testimony, or write a short letter to your senator.
Budgets reflect who we are and what we stand for. Let’s make sure this one reflects the values of all Granite Staters—not just the privileged few.
Now’s the time to raise your voice.
Have something you want to say? We're always looking for new voices on our blog, from personal stories to community insights. Reach out to matt@forwardnh.org if you're interested in writing with us!
