Governor Hassan's Statement on Senate Passage of Bill to Strengthen Rainy Day Fund

Press Release

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement after the New Hampshire State Senate passed House Bill 1527, which as amended would eliminate the cap on single-year transfers into the Rainy Day Fund:

"As I have called for, strengthening -- and potentially filling -- our Rainy Day Fund is a fiscally responsible step forward that can help improve New Hampshire's bond rating over time and reduce long-term costs to our taxpayers. With revenues already $80 million above plan this year and expected to exceed plan by a similar amount next year, eliminating the cap on single-year transfers into the Rainy Day Fund will help put us on track to fill it for the first time in recent history by the end of next year.

"Even after filling the Rainy Day Fund, revenues are strong enough to provide additional resources to support law enforcement and strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery programs as we continue working together to combat the heroin and opioid crisis. As we strengthen the Rainy Day Fund, we must also continue working together to give patients, providers, families, educators and law enforcement better tools to combat this horrible epidemic."

Governor Hassan has proposed a comprehensive package of legislation to provide additional resources to combat the heroin and opioid crisis and help save lives.

Senate Bill 533 would provide $5 million in funding for prevention, treatment and recovery providers and supportive housing to assist thousands of additional Granite Staters. It also provides roughly $125,000 for an additional attorney at the Department of Justice focused on opioid-related crimes and issues, which would help the department pursue homicide charges for drug dealers.

Senate Bill 464 would provide roughly $3 million to establish a statewide drug court program. It passed the Senate in a bipartisan voice vote.

Senate Bill 485 would provide nearly $1.9 million to expand a state grant program to partner with local law enforcement in hard-hit communities, such as the state's partnership with Operation Granite Hammer in Manchester, as well as for the State Police Forensic Laboratory to reduce the backlog of heroin and fentanyl cases.

Senate Bill 522 would provide $130,000 for upgrades to the state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to ensure that more prescribers can use it in a timely fashion.

Each measure has passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote and is expected to go before the full House next week.

Source