New Hampshire Governor Ayotte Threatens Veto Over First Responder Pension Cuts, School Funding

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has vowed to veto the state's $15.7 billion budget if it passes in its current form, citing major concerns over first responder retirement benefits, cuts to Manchester schools, and insufficient support for vulnerable populations. Ayotte criticized the budget as an "11th-hour backroom deal" that weakened promised benefits for Group II retirees and was negotiated without input from first responders, threatening to retroactively reduce Tier A benefits. Despite the budget including several priorities such as ending annual vehicle inspections by 2026, funding for developmental disability services, maternal healthcare initiatives, and cell phone restrictions in schools, Ayotte insists the package falls short of her demands for increased spending on public safety and social services. The Legislature faces a deadline as the current budget expires on June 30, and must either pass the budget risking a gubernatorial veto or attempt to craft a new agreement, with no further amendments allowed during upcoming votes. Republicans have defended aspects of the budget including Medicaid and Medicare protections, revenue sharing for municipalities, and funding for mental health programs, but the standoff threatens to delay final approval. This impasse echoes past budget conflicts in New Hampshire and raises uncertainty over the state's fiscal direction amid lagging revenues and political divisions.