Downshifting Narratives are Dishonest: Merrimack is Receiving Record State Investment
MERRIMACK, NH — State Representatives Maureen Mooney (R-Merrimack) and Jeanine Notter (R-Merrimack) released the following statements after a petition complaining the state is “downshifting” costs to local municipalities was published by the Union Leader.
“The petition received calls for ‘ensuring adequate state revenues for essential services’ without giving specifics. Additionally, there are no examples of reductions or clawbacks for essential services. To the contrary, in the area of education, the State of New Hampshire has invested nearly $3 billion making it the second largest funded category in the $15.9 billion dollar state budget. Merrimack is on track to receive more than $16.8 million dollars for public education in the upcoming fiscal year. Merrimack has remained above the state average for per pupil funding, and education spending in our state has nearly doubled since 2020,” said Mooney. “The inference of ‘ensuring adequate state revenues’ must be referring to new and increased taxes, and those do not decrease the cost of living.”
“I concur that the state needs to protect local taxpayers, which is why I cast my vote for the Property Tax Protection Act. It’s time for Merrimack’s town council, and the Democrats that harass them, to stop blaming the state, stop shifting burdens to taxpayers, and take some actual responsibility,” said Notter. “Let’s be clear. Town Councilor Nancy Murphy, and every other Democrat State Representative in Merrimack, voted for an income tax by voting against CACR10 on March 5th. Explain to us how taxing every single penny you earn will do anything to make life more affordable?”
Learn more about protecting New Hampshire from a broad-based income tax: