While Hassan takes credit for all things good and glosses over her failures, here are a few items you won’t hear her address about her fantasy-budget funded by “imaginary money” which kicked off the state’s summer-long budget crisis:
Hassan’s FY2016-FY2017 Budget Proposal Raised Taxes And Fees By $126 Million. “Hassan is proposing half a dozen new sources of revenue, tax or fee increases estimated to bring in $126 million over two years and projects modest increases in annual revenues from businesses and tourism, among other sources.” (“Hassan Presents Proposed $11.5B Budget Plan,” Associated Press, 2/12/15)
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The Telegraph: “Some Of (Hassan’s) Revenue Proposals Would Fall Hardest On Those Who Can Least Afford It.” (Editorial, “Hassan Budget Fails An Important Test,” The Telegraph, 2/15/15)
- The Union Leader Said Hassan Used “Imaginary Money” To Fund Her Budget Proposal. “It is a lot easier to write a budget, as Gov. Maggie Hassan did this year, when you get to use imaginary money you do not have and are unlikely to get… Hassan was able to propose spending more because she started with much higher revenue — imaginary revenue. She estimated that state revenue over the next two years would be $229 million more than the House estimated.” (Editorial, “A Realistic Start: The House Finance Committee budget,” Union Leader, 3/30/15)
Hassan’s Proposed FY2014-FY2015 Budget Would Have Increased State Spending By $1 Billion, 10.2 Percent. “With federal money and other state revenue such as highway funds and court fines, the total state budget over the next biennium would be $11.1 billion. That compares to $10.1 billion for the current year, a 10.2 percent increase.” (Sherry Wood, “Budget: Hassan Makes Her Case,” The Union Leader, 2/15/13)
- Hassan’s Budget Proposal Sought To Pay For Increased Spending With Revenue From Casino Gambling, Tobacco Tax Increases, And An Increase In Insurance Premium Tax Revenues. “The governor pays for the additional spending with money from casino gambling, higher tobacco taxes and an increase in the number of insurance premiums resulting from the Affordable Care Act.” (Sherry Wood, “Budget: Hassan Makes Her Case,” The Union Leader, 2/15/13)
In August 2015, PolitiFact Rated A Claim That Hassan’s Budget Proposal Would Raise Taxes On Small Businesses And Increased Fees By $100 Million As “Mostly True.” Gov. Maggie Hassan’s budget proposal "raises taxes on small businesses and increases taxes and fees by $100 million"…We rate it Mostly True." (Clay Wirestone, "Americans for Prosperity calls NH Gov. Maggie Hassan’s budget proposal a tax increase," PolitiFact, 8/27/15)