N.H. Governor Sununu outlines 2-year $14.9 billion budget proposal – The Boston Globe

“Authorities isn’t right here to ensure an answer to your issues, however it’s right here to offer a pathway to alternative,” he instructed lawmakers. “Pathways for financial progress, pathways for academic alternative, pathways for decrease taxes and pathways for extra private freedoms.”

Sununu, who was elected to a fourth two-year time period in November, is also contemplating a run for president in 2024 and has been bolstering his identify recognition with journey and media appearances. He claims different governors often ask him for the key to New Hampshire’s success, which he stated comes right down to managing cash well with a funds that prioritizes folks over applications.

“We cannot let this funds function a car for partisan maneuvering,” Sununu stated. “It should be in regards to the particular person, our workers, our kids and our taxpayers.”

Over the last funds cycle, abortion opponents added to the funds a provision banning the process after 24 weeks of being pregnant. Sununu signed it, saying the choice would have been a veto that will have shut down state authorities through the coronavirus pandemic.

His new proposal consists of a number of objects geared toward boosting the state’s workforce, together with the biggest pay improve for state workers in practically 50 years. There are roughly 10,000 state staff, all of whom would get 10 p.c will increase within the first 12 months of the biennium and a further 2 p.c the second 12 months. That proposal, which was negotiated with labor unions, is supposed to deal with a state workforce emptiness price of 20 p.c, however Sununu’s funds additionally consists of extra focused investments in particular industries.

He proposed rising the reimbursement price for Medicaid well being care suppliers by 3 p.c, offering pupil debt aid for many who pursue careers in psychological well being therapy and streamlining the state’s skilled licensing system. Sununu desires to permit somebody licensed to do a selected job in one other state to carry out the identical work in New Hampshire with out getting re-licensed. He additionally desires to eradicate 34 outdated licenses and 14 underutilized regulatory boards.

“Let’s bear in mind who we’re, let’s bear in mind it’s about particular person freedom,” he stated. “Much less crimson tape and extra frequent sense, that’s how we develop our economic system.”

With a watch to the workforce of the long run, Sununu proposed spending $5 million to certify tons of of latest pc science lecturers and produce robotics instruction to each center and highschool classroom. The most important education-related proposal quantities to spending $200 million over the subsequent two years by altering the method used to ship cash to public colleges.

Each the bottom per-pupil quantity and the quantity despatched to varsities with a excessive proportion of scholars receiving low-cost or free lunches could be elevated. A 3rd funding stream, often called stabilization grants, could be phased out over 5 years and would get replaced by new grants focusing on the neediest communities.

Training freedom accounts, which permit low-income households to make use of state help to pay non-public college tuition, additionally would get a lift. Sununu desires to double funding for this system and develop earnings eligibility for sure youngsters, together with these in foster care, those that have been bullied, and people with disabilities.

Home Democratic Chief Matt Wilhelm of Manchester pointed to that funding as proof that Sununu’s funds is “stuffed with partisan coverage priorities.” However he additionally noticed alternatives for collaboration in areas akin to workforce growth and inexpensive housing.

“Right now was an necessary first step within the course of,” he stated in an announcement. “Home Democrats sit up for working with the Governor and our colleagues to craft a funds that offers all Granite Staters a chance to succeed.”

Senate President Jeb Bradley, a Republican of Wolfeboro, stated the governor has labored laborious to make New Hampshire extra aggressive, decrease taxes and encourage financial progress.

“This funds is not any totally different,” he stated. “I feel it’s nice that we’re going to attempt to deal with training funding, that might be property tax aid throughout the board. And I feel his effort to streamline the workplace of the skilled licensure goes to make an enormous distinction by way of making an attempt to draw professionals, particularly well being care professionals, to return to New Hampshire.”