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Senate committee adds $33M a year to university system funding over House level; total general fund ask rises to $85M
Summary
The Finance Committee voted to increase state general fund support for the University System of New Hampshire to about $85 million annually, adding roughly $33 million a year above the House appropriation; committee leaders said the figure remains below the governor's proposed level.
The New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee voted Oct. 26 to increase general-fund support for the University System of New Hampshire to roughly $85 million per year, a committee-level action that raises funding above the House's enacted level.
Legislative Budget Assistant staff explained the change: the House appropriated about $66.2 million in total funds for the university system, including approximately $51 million in general funds; the committee's action restores unique program funding and adds about $33 million in additional general funds per year, bringing the committee total to roughly $85 million in general funds for USNH. Committee staff noted the governor's budget had proposed approximately $91.2 million per year.
Committee members debated the motion and asked for confirmation the numbers reflected prior committee actions restoring unique program funding removed from university allocations. Several senators said they intended to support the increase now and expected a subsequent final package vote once the committee assembles the full HB 2 budget; the chair called the voice vote and announced the ayes prevailed.
Committee members noted the vote is part of a multi-stage process and that final numbers will be reviewed again in the package vote scheduled later in the session.
