7/9/09-Gov. John Lynch has signed the roughly $11.5 billion state budget that includes higher vehicle registrations to bolster road funds.
Despite talks during the past few months about boosting fuel taxes and toll rates to help plug a $40 million shortfall in the transportation budget, lawmakers agreed on hiking motor vehicle registration fees.
The plan calls for charging between $30 and $75 more in fees based on vehicle weights. Revenue would be directed for state and local roads.
The fee increases are contained in the trailer bill – HB2 – that accompanies the two-year state budget.
Lawmakers said they chose to include registration surcharges and abandon the pursuit of higher fuel taxes because it was simply the least painful option for taxpayers. Previously, House lawmakers approved a 15-cent-per-gallon tax increase to be phased in over several years, but Gov. Lynch said he was opposed to that plan.
Without making changes, officials with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation say the agency is on track for a $1 billion shortfall in the state’s 10-year highway plan.
The registration fee increase would sunset in two years. At that time, lawmakers would need to revisit the long-term funding options. Likely topics are expected to include expanding the use of toll money and the fuel tax.

6/25/09-The House has given their approval to a roughly $11.5 billion state budget after the Senate approved it. The budget includes higher vehicle registrations to bolster road funds.
Senate lawmakers passed the compromise budget by a vote of 13-11. The House followed suit by a margin of 201-183. The votes clear the way for it to advance to Gov. John Lynch, who has indicated he would sign it.
Legislators worked to resolve differences in the House and Senate versions of the state budget. When the dust settled, negotiators were able to reach agreement on who will foot the bill for road and bridge repairs throughout the state.
Despite talks during the past few months about boosting fuel taxes and toll rates to help plug a $40 million shortfall in the transportation budget, lawmakers agreed on hiking motor vehicle registration fees.
The plan calls for charging between $30 and $75 more in fees based on vehicle weights. Revenue would be directed for state and local roads.
The fee increases are contained in the trailer bill – HB2 – that accompanies the two-year state budget.
Lawmakers said they chose to include registration surcharges and abandon the pursuit of higher fuel taxes because it was simply the least painful option for taxpayers. Previously, House lawmakers approved a 15-cent-per-gallon tax increase to be phased in over several years, but Gov. Lynch said he was opposed to that plan.
Without making changes, officials with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation say the agency is on track for a $1 billion shortfall in the state’s 10-year highway plan.
The registration fee increase would sunset in two years. At that time, lawmakers would need to revisit the long-term funding options. Likely topics are expected to include expanding the use of toll money and the fuel tax.

6/18/09-New Hampshire lawmakers are using up every last second of their allotted time to come up with a state budget.
Legislators are working to resolve differences in House and Senate versions of the roughly $11.5 billion budget. They have until Thursday afternoon to reach agreement on several issues that include expanding gambling and taxing home refinances. One issue that has been resolved is who will foot the bill for road and bridge repairs throughout the state.
Despite talks during the past few months about boosting fuel taxes and toll rates to help plug a $40 million shortfall in the transportation budget, negotiators have tentatively agreed on hiking motor vehicle registration fees.
A conference committee meeting to hash over options to fund transportation agreed to charge between $30 and $75 more in fees based on vehicle weights. Revenue would be directed for state and local roads.
The fee increases are contained in the trailer bill – HB2 – that accompanies the two-year state budget.
Lawmakers said they chose to include registration surcharges and abandon the pursuit of higher fuel taxes because it was simply the least painful option for taxpayers. Previously, House lawmakers approved a 15-cent-per-gallon fuel tax increase to be phased in over several years, but Gov. John Lynch said he was opposed to that plan.
Without making changes, officials with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation say the agency is on track for a $1 billion shortfall in the state’s 10-year highway plan.
The registration fee increase would sunset in two years. At that time, lawmakers would need to revisit the long-term funding options. Likely topics are expected to include expanding the use of toll money and the fuel tax.
Once negotiators reach agreement on the 2010-2011 state budget, it will be put to a vote by the full House and Senate before it advances to the governor’s desk.

4/28/09-To help finance its $11.5 billion state budget, the House voted 182-165 largely along party lines to advance to the Senate tax increases on cigarettes, dining out and hotel room rentals. New taxes on capital gains, wealthy estates and gambling winnings also were included.
In addition, House lawmakers approved a 15-cent-per-gallon fuel tax increase.
The tax increases are contained in the trailer bill – HB2 – that accompanies the two-year state budget.
Currently, the state applies an 18-cent-per-gallon tax to gas and diesel purchases. The increase on gas would be phased in by 5-cent increments each of the next three years until it reaches 33 cents per gallon in the spring of 2011.
For diesel, the tax would increase every two years until reaching 33 cents per gallon in 2018. The tax would increase by 2 cents per gallon in 2010 and 2012. A 3-cent increase would take effect in 2014, followed by 4-cent increases in 2016 and 2018.
Increasing the tax applied to gas and diesel is expected to raise another $125 million in 2010 and 2011 to feed the highway fund. The additional revenue would be dedicated for repairs and construction of roads and bridges throughout the state.
The bill has moved to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.
For bill status, call 603-271-2548.