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Lynch to allow budget to become law without his signature
CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch said Friday he will allow a Republican budget plan for the next two years become law without his signature.
Lynch said that the budget needs improvements, and he criticized a tobacco tax cut as “ludicrous.”
But Republican leaders have said if Lynch vetoes the spending plan, the only changes they will make will be to cut deeper.
If a stalemate developed over a veto, Lynch said, residents would face a possible shutdown of state government, with disruptions to parks and essential business such as driver’s license renewals and road repairs.
“This is not a budget I can endorse, and I believe the people of New Hampshire deserve and expect better,” Lynch said, criticizing what he called “simplistic cuts” to colleges, hospitals and social services.
Cuts to higher education will hurt the state’s ability to attract businesses with an educated work force, Lynch said. Cuts to hospitals will drive up health care for businesses and individuals. Cuts to elderly service, he said, will force some seniors from congregate housing programs into nursing homes.
In general, Lynch said, the budget “undercuts some of the basic workings of state government, impacting the services expected by our citizens.”
However, a veto, which would likely be overridden by the GOP, had the potential to create what Lynch called “chaos in state government,” in the ensuing partisan battle.
The budget passed by veto-proof majorities in both the House and Senate on Wednesday.
The $10.2 billion package is 11 percent lower than the budget that passed two years ago, but cuts made since June 2009 to balance the budget have narrowed the gap. The plan cuts state revenue spending by 8 percent.
Lynch said his budget would have cut spending by 5 percent. “These additional cuts made by the Legislature clearly do not reform state government or make it more efficient,” he said. Lynch said the tobacco tax cut the House insisted on makes no sense.
“To cost the state $30 million over the biennium while at same time cutting appropriations to the university and colleges by $100 million, I think is ridiculous,” Lynch said.
Republican leaders brushed the criticism aside, and said taxpayers should be glad the budget will take effect smoothly.
Speaker of the House William O’Brien said, “it is great news for New Hampshire that Gov. Lynch realizes the importance of having a budget that lives within our means and delivers tax cuts that will grow our economy.”
Senate President Peter Bragdon said Lynch’s decision is “good news for New Hampshire taxpayers. Our spending plan for the next two years is balanced, lives within our means and does not raise taxes or fees.”
House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, said, “While the governor will certainly not be awarded any profiles in courage by not signing this budget, we are glad that he decided not to stand in the way.”
The budget takes effect July 1, when more than 200 state workers will be laid off.
Lynch said that the budget needs improvements, and he criticized a tobacco tax cut as “ludicrous.”
But Republican leaders have said if Lynch vetoes the spending plan, the only changes they will make will be to cut deeper.
If a stalemate developed over a veto, Lynch said, residents would face a possible shutdown of state government, with disruptions to parks and essential business such as driver’s license renewals and road repairs.
“This is not a budget I can endorse, and I believe the people of New Hampshire deserve and expect better,” Lynch said, criticizing what he called “simplistic cuts” to colleges, hospitals and social services.
Cuts to higher education will hurt the state’s ability to attract businesses with an educated work force, Lynch said. Cuts to hospitals will drive up health care for businesses and individuals. Cuts to elderly service, he said, will force some seniors from congregate housing programs into nursing homes.
In general, Lynch said, the budget “undercuts some of the basic workings of state government, impacting the services expected by our citizens.”
However, a veto, which would likely be overridden by the GOP, had the potential to create what Lynch called “chaos in state government,” in the ensuing partisan battle.
The budget passed by veto-proof majorities in both the House and Senate on Wednesday.
The $10.2 billion package is 11 percent lower than the budget that passed two years ago, but cuts made since June 2009 to balance the budget have narrowed the gap. The plan cuts state revenue spending by 8 percent.
Lynch said his budget would have cut spending by 5 percent. “These additional cuts made by the Legislature clearly do not reform state government or make it more efficient,” he said. Lynch said the tobacco tax cut the House insisted on makes no sense.
“To cost the state $30 million over the biennium while at same time cutting appropriations to the university and colleges by $100 million, I think is ridiculous,” Lynch said.
Republican leaders brushed the criticism aside, and said taxpayers should be glad the budget will take effect smoothly.
Speaker of the House William O’Brien said, “it is great news for New Hampshire that Gov. Lynch realizes the importance of having a budget that lives within our means and delivers tax cuts that will grow our economy.”
Senate President Peter Bragdon said Lynch’s decision is “good news for New Hampshire taxpayers. Our spending plan for the next two years is balanced, lives within our means and does not raise taxes or fees.”
House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, said, “While the governor will certainly not be awarded any profiles in courage by not signing this budget, we are glad that he decided not to stand in the way.”
The budget takes effect July 1, when more than 200 state workers will be laid off.