Jeb Bradley: Getting to a bipartisan budget

Every two years, New Hampshire legislators adopt an operating budget — a process occurring now. Budgets reflect priorities and realities. Budgets also “must pass” because the government cannot operate effectively without one. At a time of politically divided government, a budget should reflect priorities and realities, but it also needs to find common ground. To date, the 2019 budget has not achieved that bipartisan common ground.

There’s good news, however, as there are significant areas of agreement. Funding for mental health treatment, substance abuse prevention, preventing abuse and neglect of children and restoration of education stabilization grants have received bipartisan support. Also receiving strong support has been funding for families with disabled children, continued support for Granite Shield (targeting heroin and fentanyl dealers) and creation of a cold case unit to investigate unsolved murders in New Hampshire. These latter two initiatives came as a result of legislation I sponsored.