Statehouse candidate Dave Dupree tells Candia selectmen towns lack promised revenue

Dave Dupree, a candidate for the New Hampshire House of Representatives (District 31), introduced himself to the Candia Board of Selectmen at the Oct. 14 meeting and outlined his platform focused on sending more state revenue to towns.

Dupree said the historical "catch-up" statutory mechanism intended to return a share of certain state tax increases back to municipalities has not been honored in many recent years. He argued that reductions to the interest-and-dividends tax and elimination of a communications tax have removed significant revenue from towns, citing a combined figure he described (figures given conversationally). He recommended carve-outs to protect fixed-income residents — for example, higher deductions or exclusions for those over age 65 — and reiterated opposition to income or sales tax as remedies.

Dupree described his views on school funding and referenced litigation and an amicus brief by some legislators concerning the state's constitutional obligation to provide adequate schooling. He said he favors policies that reduce the rate of property-tax growth and increase state support for municipalities.

Board members asked clarifying questions about his position on income and sales taxes and the candidate responded that he opposes those options. The public-comment appearance was introductory; no formal action was taken by the board.