Voters fear losing due process, funding for Medicaid and education in state budget proposal

LACONIA — Lakes Region voters had an opportunity to voice their concerns about the state budget Wednesday evening during a forum hosted by Senate Democrats at the Leavitt Parkhouse. 

Kate Flaherty of Gilford, a teacher, said she was never politically active before, but now she is frustrated by the budget cuts, and the expansion of Education Freedom Accounts, removing income limits associated with those grants. She said alternatives like homeschooling remove a student’s access to special education if needed, and later coming back into the public school system can cause a student to fall behind in the curriculum. She said Republicans are not helping their constituents, and spoke directly to Republican voters, saying there is more that unites Granite Staters than divides.

“This is not your party,” she said. “They are not being conservative, they are burning things to the ground, and that is not what we want.”

The House budget proposal of $15.36 billion is $643 million less than Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s proposed allocation. Proposed cuts include to state agencies like the Liquor Commission, and departments of Education and Safety. The Department of Corrections would eliminate more than 100 jobs. The University System of New Hampshire faces an $80 million cut, including $50 million from the University of New Hampshire. The community college system would get a $4 million reduction. The budget also includes more than $40 million cut from Medicaid.

To increase revenue despite the cuts, the budget includes the expansion of gambling in the state, like the legalization of slot machines.

Joseph Skehan, a 22-year-old UNH senior from Laconia, was elected student body president last year. He spoke against the cuts to UNH, saying the institution conducts important research and provides students with career opportunities before graduation. He also identified the university as being one of the most expensive in-state tuition schools in the country, and remains tuition-dependent. U.S. News & World Report ranks it at No. 8 nationally.

Skehan said UNH students invest in the local economy, particularly through restaurants, groceries, and keeping “the liquor economy alive.”

“As a young person in New Hampshire, I'm tired of my generation having to swallow the consequences of an incompetent Republican Legislature that will abandon my future for their momentary monetary comfort.”

State Senate Democrats hosted the forum. Led by Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka of Portsmouth, it was one of many stops to see how the recent House budget reduction proposal affects Granite State residents. As the proposal has been passed on to the Senate, Perkins Kwoka was looking for guidance.

“We are open to what we hear, and we hope to carry your voice to the Statehouse.”

Other than Democratic Sen. Tara Reardon of Concord, no other senators were present, including Republican Sen. Timothy Lang of Tilton. Local representation included Mayor Andrew Hosmer, City Councilor Eric Hoffman of Ward 3, and Rep. Charlie St. Clair (D-Laconia).

With over 30 people in attendance, the session went on 30 minutes past its allotted hour. Many residents were concerned about cuts to Medicaid.

Catherine Bowler, executive director of Laconia Housing, said cuts to Medicaid will directly affect their tenants who struggle with mental health, or those in the Choices for Independence program, which aids with daily living skills. Medicaid already has some of the lowest reimbursement rates in the health care industry, so Bowler thinks cuts will directly affect patients who need the most help.

“It just feels like when you're going after a Medicaid-funded program, you're hurting the people who are most vulnerable.”

There were also concerns regarding cuts made in the judicial branch, and the reduction in Department of Corrections staff. Pat Piscetta of Belmont, a member of Belknap County Democrats, was concerned about proper due process, especially during a time when immigrants face deportation threats from the Trump administration.

“Even if you are not an immigrant who needs due process, where do you get your time in court?” she wondered. “Justice delayed, they say, is justice denied.”

Perkins Kwoka also criticized the governor's failure to negotiate on the budget.

“At a time when federal funding is very uncertain, she should have acted immediately to secure that funding for the state.”

At the end of the session, attendees were curious as to whether protests and other grassroots initiatives have any effect on the legislative process. Perkins Kwoka said not only have protests demonstrated community, but they had political implications, too. She encouraged people to continue organizing, working toward the goal of putting what she thinks are the right people in office.

Piscetta described the energy Democrats are feeling in this moment.

“We're like a beehive or a hornet's nest, and we are angry and agitated, and we are ready to swarm,” she said. “I think that's what all of these demonstrations are. The swarm.”