House Democrats have a nearly perfect record of voting against proposed bans on personal income taxes. On Thursday, they’ll face a different dilemma:

Whether to vote in favor of giving the state the power to impose a progressive income tax.

Rep. Thomas Oppel, D-Canaan, plans to bring an amendment to the floor Thursday “providing that: the legislature may impose progressive-based income taxes, and revenues derived from such taxes be used exclusively to fund public schools in order to offset local property taxes.”

Oppel was part of the “Cut Our Property Taxes!” group organized by former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky to push for the so-called “3-3 Tax Savings Plan” that would institute a 3% income tax for all residents and a $3 tax per $1,000 of equalized property value for all homeowners.

His amendment Thursday goes further, imposing a graduated income tax.

“Any assessments, rates, and taxes imposed on income shall be considered reasonable and proportional if they are imposed at the same rates across the state even though they are imposed and levied progressively; that is, at rates that rise or increase in whole or in part, as the income being taxed increases,” Oppel’s amendment reads.

House rules allow any member to offer an amendment to any legislation, but even if there were procedural barriers, Republicans are happy to have Democrats cast this vote. Democratic leaders like Rep. Alexis Simpson, D-Exeter, and Sen. Rebecca Perkins-Kwoka, D-Portsmouth, have publicly rejected an income tax and can’t be happy to have it back in the election-year conversation. Republicans, on the other hand, greeted the news with delight.

“House Democrats just filed an amendment to push for an income tax and hijack the state constitution,” the House GOP posted Tuesday. “House Democrats know Granite Staters overwhelmingly oppose an income tax. They do not care. Our message has not changed: HELL NO to income tax. Not now. Not ever.”

And House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn, added, “The Committee to Elect House Republicans would like to make Taxin’ Tom Oppel an honorary board member.”

Income taxes are a tricky issue for Democrats, as Joyce Craig demonstrated in her failed 2024 governor’s race. Democrats like Cinde Warmington insist they oppose a broad-based sales or income tax. However, they’re also promising voters they will lower their property taxes.

Volinsky’s approach is to use an income tax to shift about $1 billion from property taxes to income taxes, lowering the property tax burden.

Warmington has yet to say where she would find the money to lower property taxes without cutting state funding to public schools.

Republicans like Rep. Dan McGuire, R-Epsom, head of Granite State Taxpayers, want to tackle high property taxes by controlling spending. They’re pushing a bill to put a local property tax cap on the ballot in every community.

“Our outrageous property tax levels are the result of unchecked spending on schools and, in particular, school administration,” said McGuire. “Well-run states in this regard, like Idaho and Utah, spend half as much per pupil as we do and get similar results.

“Voters in November will get a chance to stem the bleeding if the Senate and House can get together on HB 1300, a school property tax cap bill.”

Polls show more than 70% of Granite Staters oppose an income tax.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.

Jetting off to a private island for the summer may seem like a luxury enjoyed only by the ultrawealthy—but in New Hampshire, that dream is readily available for nearly $100,000 less than the national median home price.

The 7,800-square-foot isle in Milan, NH, which is on the market for just $337,700, is home to a fully-sustainable cottage that was designed as “the ultimate escape from the everyday,” something that is readily achieved by the property’s remote location.

Accessible only by water—or ice during the coldest winter months—the island can be completely cut off from civilization should the next owner desire, a rare feature that has helped the dwelling to bob right to the top of the week’s most popular homes list.

The exclusive off-grid retreat, which is tucked away on Nay Pond in New Hampshire’s North Country, has been outfitted with several eco-friendly amenities that allow it to continue running without assistance from the mainland, including solar power, a backup generator, a water collection system, and a composting toilet.

Designed for buyers seeking a true escape where the only visitors dropping by are local loons, the getaway is accessible during all four seasons. It has a boat dock for access during the warmer months and “direct snowmobile trail access” in the winter.

The home can accommodate eight guests, making it an ideal investment property for investors seeking additional rental income, or it could be used as a family getaway.

Other properties grabbing attention this week are a historic log home with four guest cabins in Montana, an Italian Renaissance Revival home in Louisiana, and a 1902 Georgian Revival and neoclassical landmark in Indiana.

Price: $4,490,000

Why it’s here: It’s a four-bedroom luxury mountain retreat tucked away on 43.92 wooded acres with multiple springs, creeks, and a pond. It’s being sold at auction without reserve on May 23.

The chateau-inspired residence “designed for those seeking the ultimate privacy” offers long-range mountain views that reach Tennessee “on a clear day.”

Designed for grand-scale entertaining, the 5,000-square-foot interior features a luxurious chef’s kitchen with dual refrigerators and dishwashers, a lavish primary suite with marble shower and covered terrace, and a secondary suite with a kitchenette. The lower level could be transformed into a studio, wellness center, or entertainment level.

Multiple covered decks and a covered back porch overlook an outdoor fireplace and offer scenic mountain views.

Teresa Bryant Brown of Teresa B. Brown is the listing agent.

Price: $850,000

Why it’s here: Here’s the chance to step back in time with this 200-year-old hand-hewn log home.

Offering just 690 square feet of space, the tiny two-bedroom residence boasts a vintage-inspired interior with original wide-plank wood floors, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, a Dutch door, and a hand-painted sink. The kitchen features a herringbone-patterned original brick floor along with modern appliances.

A bluestone slate patio found out back overlooks the 6.41-acre lot, which also has a pond and a brook.

Josephine O’Leary Weir of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.

Price: $1,549,000

Why it’s here: Calling all investors! Here’s the chance to buy a historic log home with four guest cabins located on 24.25 acres overlooking Trapper Creek. It is currently being used as a fishing lodge.

The “income-producing retreat” is dotted by ponds, outbuildings, outdoor areas, and an expansive deck designed for entertaining and soaking in the tranquil scenery. Offering hunting and fishing opportunities onsite, the property is also located near Lost Trail Powder Mountain and the Bitterroot River.

While the cabins “provide immediate rental potential,” they could also be used to create a multigenerational legacy compound, event venue, or corporate getaway.

Jani Summers of Engel & Volkers Western Frontier – Hamilton is the listing agent.

Price: $499,900

Why it’s here: Built in 1930, this Italian Renaissance Revival home features many period details and modern conveniences.

Original hardwood floors, a grand staircase, and arched doorways can be found throughout the 4,139-square-foot interior. A formal living room surrounded by oversized windows has a gas fireplace with an ornate mantel. Other highlights include a sunroom, a spacious eat-in kitchen with updated appliances, and a light-filled formal dining room.

A large carport can accommodate three vehicles.

Allison M Romaguera of WayMaker Realty is the listing agent.

Price: $1,125,000

Why it’s here: It’s a 160-acre, off-grid, prepper’s paradise nestled near Trinity National Forest. It features high-end finishes and luxurious amenities.

The two-bedroom sustainable residence boasts heated concrete floors, solar power, fire-resistant wood paneling, an outdoor shower, and a private well. Multiple skylights can be found throughout the 3,000-square-foot interior.

A modern kitchen has quartz and butcher block countertops and a built-in dining bench. The sun-soaked living room has a brick fireplace and sliders that open to a covered patio.

A detached three-car garage with electric charging capabilities and a mobile home for guests can also be found on the enormous lot.

Doren Morgan of California Outdoor Properties is the listing agent.

Price: $749,995

Why it’s here: The Charles Over Mansion is a “meticulously restored” 1902 Georgian Revival and neoclassical landmark.

Historic highlights include Corinthian columns, custom millwork, preserved hardwood floors, solid oak and leaded-glass entry doors, original terrazzo floors, crystal chandeliers, leaded and stained glass, coffered ceilings, pocket doors, and five fireplaces.

The 12,892-square-foot residence also features a formal dining room with oak wainscoting, a drawing room, a kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, a grand staircase with dual built-in bench seating, and a third-floor “speakeasy-style retreat” with brick floors, a guest suite, and a hidden ballroom with a stage, media lounge, and dance floor.

An expansive front porch and second-level portico were designed for relaxing.

Shawna Lubus of Compass of Indiana is the listing agent.

Price: $375,000

Why it’s here: Built in 1960 by architect B. Milton Cuppy Jr. as his personal residence, this midcentury home was “rescued in 2023” and restored to its original beauty.

Original terrazzo floors, glass walls, multiple skylights, and period-specific enhancements can be found throughout the 2,280-square-foot dwelling. The four-bedroom residence with a two-car attached garage also features a retro kitchen with 1960s electric range and salvaged original tile lining the 2.5 bathrooms.

A large wood deck overlooks the 1-acre wooded lot.

Christy Kalavsky of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Indiana Realty is the listing agent.

Price: $179,900

Why it’s here: This A-frame residence surprises with its very own private cave carved into a bluff, surrounded by a towering rock wall and tucked away behind the cabin!

Located on 2 acres in the gated second-home community of Aspenhof, the 1,632-square-foot abode features a two-story living room with a wood-burning stove and sliders that open to a wraparound deck. Loft-style accommodations can be found upstairs, offering three sleeping areas. According to the listing, “most furnishings can remain with the property.”

It also comes with exclusive access to four private lakes designed for fishing, swimming, and nonmotorized boating.

Dan Dieckmann of Innsbrook Properties is the listing agent.

Price: $2,639,000

Why it’s here: The Tobias Langdon House pre-dates the Declaration of Independence and still features much of its historic charm.

Built in 1710, the four-bedroom Colonial has been thoughtfully modernized while still preserving many period details. Highlights include custom millwork, original wide-plank floors, built-ins, multiple fireplaces, and dual staircases. A country kitchen has high-end appliances as well as a cooking fireplace.

A lushly landscaped back garden with a brick patio has views of the nearby Piscataqua River and also overlooks a fully equipped outdoor kitchen designed for entertaining.

Patrick Carey of Carey Giampa, LLC/Seabrook Beach is the listing agent.

Price: $337,700

Why it’s here: Here’s the chance to buy a sustainable two-bedroom home and live on your very own private island on Nay Pond!

The secluded sanctuary features a 600-square-foot home where the only neighbors are local loons. The eco-friendly residence designed for “self-sufficient living” features a backup generator, solar power, a water collection system, a composting toilet, and a gas fireplace. Pull-down stairs lead to an unfinished sleeping area.

Designed as a vacation rental or private getaway, the year-round property can be accessed by snowmobiles during the winter and boats during the warmer months.

“No offers will be accepted until May 17, 2026,” according to the listing.

Debi Davis of Re/Max Northern Edge Realty is the listing agent.

By: Phil Sletten, Research Director, NHFPI

 As part of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute’s 10 County State Budget tour, my colleagues and I travelled across the state to discuss what the State Budget is, how it is structured, what it funds, how State revenue and spending decisions interact with local property taxes, what the budget means for affordability and household costs across New Hampshire, and more.

There are four chances left to join the conversation. Learn the details for our upcoming events in Laconia, Newport, Portsmouth, and Gorham at www.nhfpi.org/tour.

Reflecting the spirit of New Hampshire’s residents, we found Granite Staters to be deeply engaged, invested, and passionate about how the State Budget, and decisions made by our lawmakers in Concord, impact our everyday lives and communities. Below are some of the questions that kept coming up about how the budget works, and a few answers, too.

Where does the money actually come from, and is it enough

Many attendees were focused not just on what New Hampshire spends money on, but on how the State and local governments raise revenue, and whether that money is sufficient to meet the state’s needs. 

The State relies heavily on federal funding, like all states do, as well as business taxes, taxes on restaurant meals and hotel rooms, State-level property taxes for education, taxes on cigarettes, sales of liquor and lottery tickets, taxes on buying and selling property, and a bunch of smaller taxes and fees. Recent reductions to business tax rates, the repeal of a tax on interest and dividends, and adjustments to other revenue sources all shape how much funding is available. 

State lawmakers must write a balanced budget each year, so when revenues fall from one source, they must be raised through another, or policymakers have to decide which services to reduce. These decisions can raise questions about long-term sustainability and well-being, especially as health care, education, and infrastructure costs grow.

How is the State Budget structured

Another common thread of questions was curiosity about how the State Budget is organized and why it works that way. 

The State Budget is written as two separate pieces of legislation. The Operating Budget Bill (House Bill 1 or HB 1) directs where most of the money goes, and lists line items as one might image in a budget. The Trailer Bill (HB 2) includes the policy language that supports HB 1. State government agencies kick off the budget process with funding request proposals, which estimate their needed funding levels to carry out their designated responsibilities and services. The governor uses those requests to build a proposal, and then the Legislature makes the changes it wants before the budget returns to the Governor for consideration and, in most cases, approval. 

All State Budget expenditures are divided into six main categories: Health and Social Services, Education, Justice and Public Protection, Transportation, General Government, and Resource Protection and Development. Two-third of all expenditures are in Health and Social Services and Education. Services within these categories can shift, but usually only do during State agency reorganizations. Categorization can feel a bit vague. For example, the Lottery Commission is under “Education” because it raises money for education.

Attendees were also interested in what happens when things don’t go as planned, or changes need to occur after the budget is finalized. The State can draw from its Rainy Day Fund or reopen the State Budget in response to economic downturns or emergencies, such as the 2007-2009 Great Recession. More regularly, the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee and the Executive Council work with State agencies to manage smaller-scale changes needed in the budget.

Where does the money go and who benefits

Finally, many of the most detailed questions focused on how funds are distributed and who ultimately benefits from State spending.

Participants wanted to connect the dots between State-level decisions and local impacts. For example, a significant portion of State spending, about 44% of the State Budget, goes to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Federal programs, particularly Medicaid, also play a major role in funding services by providing federal matching dollars for eligible expenditures. Meanwhile, education funding continues to be one of the most discussed topics, particularly as shifting demographics lead to lower enrollment and can change the distribution of dollars from one community to another.

The NHFPI State Budget tour presented a great opportunity for Grantie Staters to connect with each other and have their fiscal policy questions answered directly. The number of people at these events demonstrated how much Granite Staters are involved and care about what happens in New Hampshire. When Granite Staters are informed and engaged, we can all benefit. 

There are four chances left to join the conversation. Learn the details for our upcoming events in Laconia, Newport, Portsmouth, and Gorham at www.nhfpi.org/tour.