Senate to Vote on NH Budget

Republicans' battle with Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan over the budget will continue when the Senate takes up bills to cut legislative spending and decrease business tax rates.

Hassan ordered state agencies to cut $18 million last year in an effort to keep the state's $10.7 billion budget balanced when the fiscal year ends in June. She's asked the Legislature to approve cuts to its budget and several other areas to help further close a possible gap, but Republican leaders do not support the cuts.

The Senate will vote on the cuts Thursday.

Senators will also vote on whether to reduce the rate of two major business taxes in the next budget, which they say will make the state more competitive. Hassan says revenue from business taxes is already too low.