State senators and representatives fielded questions from residents across the Monadnock region Monday in a League of Women Voters Peterborough Plus event focused on recent budget developments in Concord. 

The event took place at the Dublin Community Center, and offered a panel of Cheshire 13 Democratic Rep. Richard Ames, Hillsborough 33 Democratic Reps. Peter Leishman and Jonah Wheeler, Hillsborough 31 Democratic Rep. Molly Howard, Cheshire 8 Democratic Rep. Lucius Parshall, Democratic District 10 Sen. Donovan Fenton and Cheshire County 18 Reps. Jim Qualey and Rita Mattson. 

The New Hampshire Democratic Caucus handed out information at the start of the event highlighting various cuts that House legislators have made in the budget proposal, which is now before the Senate. Among the cuts noted on the sheet were “150 positions at the Department of Corrections, making us less safe,” cuts of “over $50 million from Medicaid reimbursement” and “nearly $70 from the UNH system, raising tuition on New Hampshire residents.” 

“This is the worst budget I’ve seen in my nine terms in the House,” said Leishman, noting the cuts at Corrections.

Tom Burgess of Dublin asked the panel why the state ended the interests and dividends tax, and why it was also cutting Medicaid.

“I don’t see the logic in it at all,” said Howard.

Burgess asked about people who might have trouble paying their Medicaid premiums

“If you’re asking, “If I was on Medicaid  and couldn't make my payments, would I get kicked off (the program?”) Yes,” said Fenton.

The handout for the meeting noted that an additional $30 million was proposed in the budget to expand private school vouchers, also known as Educational Funding Accounts or EFAs. This prompted retired teacher Dick Sanders of Peterborough to say, “Our public schools are under attack.”

Qualey responded by saying that “EFAs’ emphasis is on how students are unique, and they help families find the best fit for their children.”

Parshall took issue with this characterization, referring to EFAs as “a scam.”

“We have no business funding religious education,” he said.

Fenton added that the voucher program has “no guardrails on it -- no income verification” for the families seeking a voucher to educate a child at a site other than a local public school. He also noted that the House passed a Republican-sponsored bill, House Bill 319, that eliminates the requirement for schools to provide transportation for half-day kindergarten.

Patty Long of Peterborough expressed concern over this issue when contrasted with other budget realities.

“EFAs are getting money, but everything else is getting cut,” she said, pointing to the handout provided. 

The EFA program is expected to cost $91 million over the next two years, and as proposed, will have no income cap in 2027.

“We’re looking at the universality of EFAs,” said Ames. 

Dublin Select Board member Carole Monroe spoke to the financial challenge that making EFAs universal will cause. On Tuesday, she added that “The state can not afford under any conditions to lift the cap on individuals qualifying. We can not afford an open-ended EFAs.”

Dublin Town Administrator Kate Fuller asked Qualey about the rationale for Senate Bill 297, legislation that has prompted at least one provider of insurance to municipalities in the state to cease coverage at the end of June.

“Why is there more government oversight sought where it’s not needed?” she asked. 

“There are plans for the bill which will resolve your concerns,” said Qualey, but he did not elaborate. 

Dublin Select Board Chair Susan Peters asked about the Renewable Energy Fund, which would have its remaining funds steered into the general fund, "dismantling" the Renewable Energy Fund, per the handout.

Jeff Dickler of Rindge asked Mattson what bills she had sponsored or worked on this session. She responded with one which also spoke to Peters’ question.

“We did a bill on offshore wind, and decided it’s not a good idea,” said Mattson.

Expanding on the wind power issue, she raised the matter of wind turbines.

“They’re not green. People who think they’re green are wrong,” she said.

Ames commented on the prospects for bipartisanship in Concord.

“It’s an angry environment. It makes it hard to work across the aisle,” he said.

Leishman added, “New Hampshire is changing for the worse.”

Wheeler encouraged people to check the House and Senate calendars online to see when hearings are scheduled and to attend if possible.

“People have to stay engaged,” he said.

Fenton echoed this point.

“We’re seeing scary things happen at the local level. Please reach out to your representatives and senators, and show up if you can,” said Fenton.

Mattson acknowledged the impact of trimming funds for programs.

“It hurts to cut budgets, but you just have to do it,” she said. 

Asked about what he had heard, Dan Grosz of Peterborough said that it was good to speak with elected officials face to face, but expressed concern over education funding in the state.

“It’s an open sore that hasn’t been resolved,” he said.

June Brening of Dublin said, “Something’s got to be done. The state’s in a mess.”