NH House Testimony

CACR18

House · 2026 sessionRepublicanDied in House

Constitutional cap on tax rates

AI

Amends the New Hampshire constitution to cap annual increases in state, county, and local spending, tax rates, and debt at a rate tied to inflation and population change, and creates a right of action against officials who violate the cap.

relating to tax rates. Providing that the rate of taxes in the state shall not exceed certain annual percentages.

CACRTaxes - StateTaxes - LocalMunicipalities

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 12, 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Division of testimony

108 submissions
Support 10Oppose 98Neutral 0
Catharine FarkasOpposeSanbornton, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This is a ridiculous bill that interferes with local control in towns, cities, and school districts. The citizens need to be able to respond to local conditions. TAX CAPS are POOR governance. Especially when the state keeps downshifting responsibilities and costs to towns and schools!!! It also interferes with state governance. The Republicans have been shrinking our budgets for schools, social services, infrastructure, etc. for years and something will soon have to give. More revenue will allow more spending on needed services! NO TAX CAPS!

Johnna DavisOpposeGilford, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Just like the US flag, the state flag, and the POW/MIA flag, the rainbow flag is a sign of unity and welcoming.

Tiffany GladuOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

I oppose this bill because it does not expand rights, protections, or transparency for New Hampshire residents and may limit public accountability.

Sally PattonOpposeNEW LONDON, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This is an attack on local control! Inappropriate and unnecessary!

Nancy JerauldOpposeLitchfield, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Again, this bill has Free State/Liberty Alliance fingerprints all over it. Do not support this bill attacking local control. Towns bear the burden of expenses the state has refused to pay such as funding for public schools. This bill would make it impossible for towns to adjust taxes in the face of unexpected, unavoidable expenses. Who can read the future? A major storm could destroy a school building or a town hall. A fire truck could be damaged in an accident. Unforeseen problems could arise and towns need the flexibility to address them as they see fit. The state should not meddle in this area.

lisa clarkOpposeNew Hampton, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This is a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap the spending, changes to tax rates, and increases in budgets of the state, municipalities, counties and school districts to an amount tied to inflation and population change. If a town or school district, for instance, had an unexpected and unavoidable expense, they would not be permitted to adjust their local taxes accordingly. This is an attack on local control by a state that routinely downshifts burdens and expenses onto localities.

Alyssa GossOpposeHenniker, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

What are you supposed to do if the roof on your local school collapses after this bill passes? Tell the kids to step over it? The people who live in local communities are inherently better equipped to make decisions about appropriate taxation.

Gregory DavisOpposeSalem, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Another attempt to remove local financial control

Bridget PowersOpposePlymouth, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

New Hampshire very much values local control and this bill attacks that. I am opposed.

Loretta LaurenitisOpposePeterborough, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

I am strongly opposed because this bill would undermine local control.

Joanne DavisOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This is an attack on local control by a state that routinely downshifts burdens and expenses onto localities.

Christine BachrachOpposeGrantham, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

This is an outrageous and unacceptable attack on the principles of local control.

Mary LincolnOpposeLondonderry, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

The state must raise sufficient revenue to provide necessary services. Arbitrary caps are counter productive.

Lisa AyerSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

No taxation without representation from all areas of the state equally and citizens need to have a say

Nancy WoodOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Lois CoteOpposeManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Pam BaucomOpposeWalpole, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Debrah HowesOpposeBow, NHfor American Federation of Teachers - NHJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Megan HughesOpposeWalpole, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Susan VaillancourtOpposeMANCHESTER, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Susan MooreOpposeWhitefield, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Annie RobbinsOpposeWakefield, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Robert SchumanOpposeDOVER, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

Diana SchumanOpposeDOVER, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.

CYBELE GRIEROpposeHampton, NHfor MyselfJan 28, 2026

Position recorded without written comment.