It is still hard for me to believe that the June issue of The Beacon is the last issue of the newspaper. I want to thank every person that has been involved for a job well done. Especially, I want to thank two special people who have always been there for me and that is Shelley Geoghegan and Steve Foley. Thank you for all your help and I wish you both the very best.
As for the Legislative Session on April 10, the NH House voted on the proposed 2025-2026 budget included in HN 1 and HB 2. I was one of 16 Republicans that voted against HB 1. And I was one of 9 Republicans that voted against HB 2.
And the reason I voted against the budget was not because I voted with the Democrats. I could not justify supporting these two budget bills for the citizens of my District 5 and all the citizens of NH. I will give only a few of the many reasons that I voted against the budget bills:
- Gambling is expanded for additional revenue.
- Many fees increased. The fee increases are an added tax to the taxpayers of New Hampshire..
- I am totally in favor of universal EFAS but not at this time. I voted against universal EFAS as we do not have the money.
- The budget expands government.
- For example, direct from the budget: 22. Establishes a video lottery tax at a rate of 30 percent on video lottery terminals. This is a new tax.
The budget then went to the senate.
Hope you all have a great Fourth of July.
Representative Louise Andrus, Merrimack County District 5 for the towns of Andover, Danbury, Hill, Salisbury, Webster.