The state senator whose district includes Durham has filed legislation to restore cuts in funding to the University system made by the last, republican-controlled legislature. Democrat Martha Fuller Clark says she’s optimistic the state can find a way to come up with the $100 million the university system seeks.
“I know that many of us are committed to re-instating the cigarette tax, and I think there may be some other opportunity to find new ways to raise revenues within the given constraints of no income tax, no sales tax.”
When she campaigned, Governor-elect Maggie Hassan stressed the need to undo funding cuts to higher education. But Hassan has also since warned officials not to expect her to reverse the last legislature’s funding decisions all at once.
Meanwhile, the top republican budget writer, senator Chuck Morse, says he remains committed to the same level of fiscal discipline the last legislature had. Morse says that the state should work to reduce education costs for low and middle income students, but added that the senate will continue to “adequately fund” the University System of New Hampshire and N.H.’s Community Colleges.
