We’re wrapping up a difficult year for the North Country, from tariff impacts and tourism declines. Now N.H. Republicans aim to start off 2026 with another hardship — a $26 million corporate tax cut that won’t help small businesses like mine and will raise our property taxes.
I'm a bit confused by your perspective on how the State should attract businesses that provide jobs and, yes, revenue to the State. I'm also wondering who and where revenue should come from for State services that State residents use.
Property taxes are the generally accepted practice to pay for the services the State and town provide. If you are dissatisfied with how they spend your money, you may need to address those concerns at the local level and hold your local representatives responsible.
As for the ACA, I think it has borne the rotten fruit that many thought it would. It caused medical costs to skyrocket and made those who use it become dependant of govt bailouts and subsidies. The reality is that medical care is not free, no matter what anyone says; somebody has to pay for it. The ACA has proven that biggly.
The tariffs had nothing to do with it, and the inflation index is the lowest in decades (1%). Gas prices have been steadily dropping, and groceries are going down.
The only truly equitable way to fix this would be a consumption tax or a straight across-the-board (no loopholes) income tax. There is no free lunch, folks.
As usual MEPD Ret, you’re wrong. Brie was referring to NH cutting the corp tax rate again. Let’s stick to that.
According to the NewHampshire Fiscal Policy Institute “New Hampshire reduced its business profits tax from 8.5% to 7.5% and its business enterprise tax from .75% to .55% in a series of cuts spanning from 2016 to 2024. The result, was somewhere between $795 million and $1.17 billion in forgone revenue.
NHFPI suggests investing in infrastructure, energy, and labor costs might be more effective for attracting business than tax cuts.
Targeted Relief: Research indicates that tax relief for lower-income residents can generate more local economic stimulus than corporate tax cuts.
Other Factors: High energy/labor costs and infrastructure quality are significant factors in business location,
In summary, while the goal of attracting businesses with lower taxes is common, data specific to New Hampshire indicates the strategy hasn't yielded the expected business influx or economic boom, leading to significant budget shortfalls instead, according to this April 2025 article from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.
“The result was somewhere between $795 million and $1.17 billion in forgone revenue.” Funny use of words. “Forgone revenue?” If they don’t invest, there is zero revenue. Who do you think will finally pay for that additional “revenue”? The consumer.
“NHFPI suggests investing in infrastructure, energy, and labor costs might be more effective for attracting business than tax cuts.” And how do you incentivise investment without an ROI or promise of tax breaks?
“Targeted Relief: Research indicates that tax relief for lower-income residents can generate more local economic stimulus than corporate tax cuts.” How much more “tax relief” are you talking about? There is currently no income tax, the dividend tax was phased out, and there is no general sales tax. Just where is the State supposed to generate revenue?
“Other Factors: High energy/labor costs and infrastructure quality are significant factors in business location…” That may be, but what's your plan to make that happen? You can’t force investment without incentives and demonstrated ROI.
Private industry has no obligation to provide a revenue stream to the State unless it is shown to be profitable. Conversely, residents of the State cannot expect public services without paying for them.
Maybe New Hampshire needs to reexamine its taxation policies in general.
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I'm a bit confused by your perspective on how the State should attract businesses that provide jobs and, yes, revenue to the State. I'm also wondering who and where revenue should come from for State services that State residents use.
Property taxes are the generally accepted practice to pay for the services the State and town provide. If you are dissatisfied with how they spend your money, you may need to address those concerns at the local level and hold your local representatives responsible.
As for the ACA, I think it has borne the rotten fruit that many thought it would. It caused medical costs to skyrocket and made those who use it become dependant of govt bailouts and subsidies. The reality is that medical care is not free, no matter what anyone says; somebody has to pay for it. The ACA has proven that biggly.
The tariffs had nothing to do with it, and the inflation index is the lowest in decades (1%). Gas prices have been steadily dropping, and groceries are going down.
The only truly equitable way to fix this would be a consumption tax or a straight across-the-board (no loopholes) income tax. There is no free lunch, folks.
As usual MEPD Ret, you’re wrong. Brie was referring to NH cutting the corp tax rate again. Let’s stick to that.
According to the NewHampshire Fiscal Policy Institute “New Hampshire reduced its business profits tax from 8.5% to 7.5% and its business enterprise tax from .75% to .55% in a series of cuts spanning from 2016 to 2024. The result, was somewhere between $795 million and $1.17 billion in forgone revenue.
NHFPI suggests investing in infrastructure, energy, and labor costs might be more effective for attracting business than tax cuts.
Targeted Relief: Research indicates that tax relief for lower-income residents can generate more local economic stimulus than corporate tax cuts.
Other Factors: High energy/labor costs and infrastructure quality are significant factors in business location,
In summary, while the goal of attracting businesses with lower taxes is common, data specific to New Hampshire indicates the strategy hasn't yielded the expected business influx or economic boom, leading to significant budget shortfalls instead, according to this April 2025 article from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.
“The result was somewhere between $795 million and $1.17 billion in forgone revenue.” Funny use of words. “Forgone revenue?” If they don’t invest, there is zero revenue. Who do you think will finally pay for that additional “revenue”? The consumer.
“NHFPI suggests investing in infrastructure, energy, and labor costs might be more effective for attracting business than tax cuts.” And how do you incentivise investment without an ROI or promise of tax breaks?
“Targeted Relief: Research indicates that tax relief for lower-income residents can generate more local economic stimulus than corporate tax cuts.” How much more “tax relief” are you talking about? There is currently no income tax, the dividend tax was phased out, and there is no general sales tax. Just where is the State supposed to generate revenue?
“Other Factors: High energy/labor costs and infrastructure quality are significant factors in business location…” That may be, but what's your plan to make that happen? You can’t force investment without incentives and demonstrated ROI.
Private industry has no obligation to provide a revenue stream to the State unless it is shown to be profitable. Conversely, residents of the State cannot expect public services without paying for them.
Maybe New Hampshire needs to reexamine its taxation policies in general.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.