Joyce Weston: What will Ayotte cut from the proposed state budget?

To The Daily Sun,

A parable:* There are 10 cookies on a plate. A rich guy takes nine of them and gives them to his friends. He then tells you, “Look out, that guy over there is trying to take your cookie.”

This is contrived scarcity thinking, used to influence the public while making the rich richer. While many of our neighbors are struggling, they are distracted by these diversions to keep them from complaining. The truth is — we don’t need a lot to get by, but we do need enough.

State budgets are a statement of priorities and perspective. New Hampshire’s budget will approach $7 billion this year. Does the budget reflect the needs of NH residents to have enough? Do they have access to decent health care, education and affordable housing? We have known for years that our tax system produces too little revenue to support our needs — and that not everyone is paying his fair share.

Former Gov. Chris Sununu foolishly cut taxes when federal money (the Inflation Reduction Act) made our economy look stronger than it was. Sununu’s repeal of the Interest and Dividends Tax, for example, which benefits only the wealthy, will result in a loss of revenues of more than $150 million a year.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte must present her budget to the public before Feb. 15. $420 million is proposed to be cut (6% of $7 billion). What will get cut? Repair of bridges and potholes? Programs for housing? The State Police budget? School funding?

During the budget process, there are opportunities to defend the programs being targeted for budget cuts. And as we defend these critical needs, it is important to point out the cuts are the result of poor leadership and unfair tax burdens. They are the result of contrived scarcity thinking.

Joyce Weston

Plymouth