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Local government

Bipartisan Efforts to Address New Hampshire's Budget Shortfalls Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New Hampshire is projected to face a significant multi-million-dollar budget shortfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local leaders and federal lawmakers are working together to address this issue, advocating for increased funding support for local governments. A virtual roundtable discussion, led by Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH), highlighted the critical need for flexible relief funding to support local governments, workers, and small businesses.

Key Takeaways:

  • New Hampshire is projected to face a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall, with a predicted shortfall of about $400 million.
  • The CARES Act has provided some funding to the state, but direct aid to local communities has been limited by a provision barring communities with populations below 500,000 from accessing direct federal aid.
  • Congressman Pappas led the call for House leadership to include robust funding for local governments in the next COVID-19 response package, resulting in the Heroes Act including more than $1.5 billion in direct assistance to New Hampshire localities and $3.5 billion to the state government.
  • Senate Republicans have introduced a proposal that does not include significant support for local government, but the House-passed Heroes Act would provide $1.5 billion in direct assistance to New Hampshire communities and counties.
  • Hillsborough County Commissioner Toni Pappas emphasized the importance of direct funding to counties, citing the significant needs of nursing homes and county jails.
  • Mayor Dana Hilliard of Somersworth stressed the critical need for funding to local town and municipal governments to maintain essential services and prevent widespread layoffs, cuts to critical services, or increased taxes.

Statistics:

  • New Hampshire is projected to face a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall of about $400 million.
  • The CARES Act has provided $1.5 billion in direct assistance to New Hampshire localities and $3.5 billion to the state government.
  • The House-passed Heroes Act would provide $1.5 billion in direct assistance to New Hampshire communities and counties.
  • Manchester is estimated to receive $127,617,663 in direct assistance.
  • Londonderry would receive $12,985,284; Conway would receive $5,068,319, Rochester would receive $18,256,663; and Laconia would receive $8,142,092.

Sources:

  • Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)
  • United States House of Representatives
  • Senator Donna Soucy (NH State Senate President)
  • Hillsborough County Commissioner Toni Pappas
  • Somersworth Mayor Dana Hilliard
  • Conway Town Manager Tom Holmes

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