New Hampshire Gov Ayotte Signs $15.9B Two-Year Budget

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte signed a $15.9 billion two-year state budget into law, funding the government through July 2027 after intense negotiations and last-minute compromises. The final budget restored many cuts initially proposed by the more conservative House, including funding for several boards and agencies, while incorporating key policies championed by Ayotte such as a cell phone ban in public schools and housing application processing deadlines. Ayotte’s approval came after she threatened to veto the budget due to reductions in health care spending, education aid to Manchester schools, and retirement system changes, which were eventually addressed in a compromise bill. The budget sparked sharp partisan disagreement; Republicans hailed it as fiscally responsible and supportive of first responders and community needs without new taxes, while Democrats criticized it for raising costs on families, cutting health care and education funding, and imposing new Medicaid premiums. The passage process faced challenges, including a faction of fiscally conservative House Republicans who briefly defeated the budget before reconsidering their vote. Overall, the budget reflects a contentious but ultimately successful effort by Ayotte to balance conservative fiscal priorities with necessary funding and policy adjustments.