Statement of Principles

Investment in our state system of health and human services is essential for maintaining the social and economic fabric of our communities and it strengthens the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. In order to strengthen New Hampshire’s health and human service safety net, the Governor, Legislature and state agency administrators should follow these budget principles.

1. Safety net budgets should be based on needs and not solely on existing state revenues.
2. Health and human services funds should be used only for the purposes for which they were intended and not shifted to balance the state budget.
3. Budget decisions should be based on timely and reliable data.
4. Services should be integrated and coordinated across all departments, divisions and bureaus to avoid duplication and redundancy.
5. Wellness promotion and preventative care should be available to all.
6. State policy makers must recognize that we need to have a service array that meets the needs of people where they are now and where they will be in the future.
7. State government should, when determined necessary, raise sufficient revenues through fair taxation to support a basic needs budget that adequately and appropriately serves NH citizens.
8. Budget decisions should not downshift state and federal costs to overburdened local governments and property taxpayers.