In Case You Missed It, New Hampshire elected leaders and local activists discussed how the American Rescue Plan will bring billions of dollars in federal relief to Granite Staters. The panelists also discussed how Chris Sununu made clear that if he was in the Senate, he “would be a no vote” and would have sided with the Kochs and Washington Republicans to block much-needed relief for New Hampshire that includes:
$1,400 in direct payments to individuals and dependents, bringing nearly $1.5 billion into the Granite State.
$350 billion in state and local government aid that can be used to offset revenue losses and help hold down property taxes, including more than $1.5 billion in aid for New Hampshire.
$125 billion for public K-12 schools to reopen safely -- including roughly $350 million for public schools in New Hampshire.
$48 billion for COVID testing, tracing, and prevention.
$15 billion to fund vaccinations and COVID treatments.
Expansion of subsidies to purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act for two years, which would reduce premium payments for New Hampshire families by an average of $291 a month.
Read excerpts from the press conference below:
Senator Cindy Rosenwald, Nashua: “This relief comes at a critically important time for Granite Staters who continue to struggle with the impacts of the COVID crisis -- whether it’s parents who were laid off and are still looking for work, parents of young children, or young people trying to navigate the economy after graduating. It is especially important since here in New Hampshire, Governor Sununu just proposed his budget -- cutting aid to schools, counties, and communities and shifting costs onto property taxpayers, leading to an increase in property taxes. While Governor Sununu continues to stand with the Kochs and Washington Republicans over Granite Staters, I am so proud of our federal delegation for delivering this relief to New Hampshire.”
Senator Jay Kahn, Keene: “This funding is incredibly important to ensure we are getting our students and teachers back in school safely, but Governor Sununu recently came out in strong opposition to this legislation -- saying if he were in the Senate, he ‘would be a no vote.’ By opposing this relief bill, the Governor is opposing helping our K-12 schools purchase the PPE they need to keep students and teachers safe, funding to make necessary upgrades to classrooms, and funding to support programs that will help our students recover from the pandemic.”
Heather Ledoux RN, Litchfield: “While our delegation was working to get this bill passed, Governor Sununu said that if he was in the Senate, he would have voted against funds for COVID testing and treatments. The Governor made it clear that he would side with the Kochs and Washington Republicans who voted to block this funding, rather than support nurses and health care workers who continue to do everything we can to save lives and keep people safe from the coronavirus.”
Gene Faltus, Swanzey: “By voting to support the American Rescue Plan, Senators Shaheen and Hassan, and Representatives Kuster and Pappas sent a clear message to Granite Staters that they are doing everything they can to help us get through this pandemic. Meanwhile, Governor Chris Sununu also sent a clear message to Granite Staters when he said that if he were in the Senate, he would be a no vote on this bill -- and his message was that he would have sided with the Kochs and Washington Republicans and blocked this much-needed relief for New Hampshire.”
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