FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2017

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute today published a new resource designed to help Granite Staters develop a deeper understanding of the state budget process and trends in funding for state programs and services. Titled “Building the Budget: New Hampshire’s State Budget Process and Recent Funding Trends,” the publication was released in conjunction with Governor Sununu’s official budget address, which was delivered to the New Hampshire Legislature on Thursday, February 9 and outlines the Governor’s funding priorities for the next two years.

“The state budget is a statement of what we value as a society,” said John Shea, executive director of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. “As New Hampshire embarks on the development of the next biennial state budget, we hope this new resource can serve as a tool for legislators; for non-profit, business, and community leaders; and for all citizens who wish to become more informed and engaged in the process by which we establish our state’s funding priorities.”

“Building the Budget” provides a thorough review of the various stages of the budget process, outlining key aspects of the state agency, Governor, House of Representatives, Senate, and Committee of Conference phases. The publication explains budget terminology and outlines the funds which support budget allocations for various categories of state programs and services. In addition, “Building the Budget” outlines funding trends from 2006 to present for the six key budget categories, which include General Government, Administration of Justice and Public Protection, Resource Protection and Development, Transportation, Health and Social Services, and Education. The resource guide also provides funding trends for the ten agencies with the largest General Fund appropriations in the current state budget.

“Building the Budget: New Hampshire’s State Budget Process and Recent Funding Trends” is available online at www.nhfpi.org and via this direct link.

The New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to exploring, developing, and promoting public policies that foster economic opportunity and prosperity for all New Hampshire residents, with an emphasis on low- and moderate-income families and individuals. Learn more at www.nhfpi.org.

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CONTACT:
AnnMarie French
603-856-8337 x2