This NH Journal analysis argues that despite a slim majority and a turbulent start to the session, House Republicans advanced one of the most conservative budgets in state history while Democrats failed to land an effective counterpunch. NH Journal frames the budget battle as an embarrassing defeat for Democrats.
The fate of the state budget is still in the hands of a few disgruntled Republican House members, so it’s too early to declare a GOP victory. But it’s not too soon to declare New Hampshire Democrats have suffered an embarrassing, ignominious defeat.
NH Journal
NH Journal recounts how difficult the road to this point had been.
While Republicans were thrilled to win control of the legislature at the same time Democrats were sweeping the federal elections, they won a slim majority. A dozen defectors in a body notorious for attendance problems could tank any GOP initiative.
NH Journal
The piece points to the loss of Speaker Dick Hinch as a major blow.
Then came the devastating news of Speaker Dick Hinch’s death in December. It’s difficult for outsiders to grasp just how hard Hinch’s passing shook — not just the GOP caucus — but the House as a whole.
NH Journal
Against that backdrop, the outlet describes the outcome as a surprise.
And yet, here we are today, with Republicans having presented one of the most ideological budgets in state history. Even more surprising, they did it without the Democrats laying a glove on them.
NH Journal
The analysis closes its setup with a pointed observation, NH Journal reports.
In fact, the only black eyes in this budget session are the ones Democrats gave themselves.
NH Journal
The piece traces a session that included an unusual drive-in House meeting and ongoing internal debates within the party, all before the budget came together.
Despite those obstacles, the analysis contends, Republicans assembled an ambitious package while Democrats failed to capitalize on the GOP’s narrow margin, NH Journal reports. The author frames the session’s setbacks as largely self-inflicted on the Democratic side.
The result, the piece argues, defied the predictions many observers had made when the session began.
The analysis pointed to the drive-in session and internal party debates as early signs of trouble.
Even so, the piece argued, Republicans delivered an ambitious budget while Democrats stumbled.
It described the session’s missteps as largely the Democrats’ own doing.
The outcome ran counter to early expectations for the session.
The loss of Speaker Hinch had shaken the House as the session began.
The piece framed the budget as one of the most ideological in state history.
It argued Democrats failed to land a counterpunch despite the GOP’s narrow margin, NH Journal reports.
The analysis recounted the obstacles Republicans faced from the session’s start.
It pointed to the narrow majority and the loss of Speaker Hinch.
Despite the hurdles, the piece said, the GOP produced an ambitious budget.
It argued the only damage in the session was self-inflicted by Democrats.
The analysis framed the session’s end as a turnaround for House Republicans.
It said Democrats had failed to capitalize on the GOP’s slim majority.
The piece argued the budget defied early predictions for the session.
House Majority Leader Jason Osborne summed up the rocky path to the budget, as NH Journal reports.
Sometimes you need to go off the rails to get on the right track.
House Majority Leader Jason Osborne
Read the full story at NH Journal.
