Gov. Maggie Hassan kicked off the state’s two-year budget-writing process Friday at the Statehouse. But it was remarks from Governor-Elect Chris Sununu that seemed to get the most attention from budget writers.
Hassan began her remarks by touting the accomplishments from her term in the corner office by pointing to the state’s past two budgets being bipartisan and balanced.
But now that Hassan is off to Washington to begin her stint as a U.S. Senator, Governor-Elect Chris Sununu will be taking over the budgetary reins.
Sununu didn’t point to specifics of his budget plans Friday, but the Republican stressed that being fiscally conservative will be a top priority.
“We will not let frugality go out the window — it’s a great tradition we’ve had in this state both Republican and Democratic governors over history have been frugal — have kept everything from our tax base low while keeping the opportunity for the quality of our programming very high,” Sununu told budget writers.
Sununu has said cutting business taxes, improving the state’s infrastructure and addressing the opioid crisis will be his top priorities.
Sununu has until Feb. 15th to present his version of the state’s spending plan to lawmakers.
