Tax Cap Archives - Granite Grok

OPINION: November Ballot Question 2 – Property Tax Cap (HB 1300)

October 26, 2026 Nick De Mayo

A statewide Tax Cap Question is on the November 3rd election ballot in the wards and towns of New Hampshire. You may not have heard about it amid all the electioneering on the airwaves! It is Question #2 (HB 1300). Two reputable, independent, tax-friendly NH organizations are providing information to help voters fully understand this … Read more

OPINION: Spending Cap Corruption

August 16, 2025 Fred Teeboom

Board of Aldermen, Mayor Donchess, CFO Griffin, City Attorney Bolton: Last Tuesday, the aldermaniacs voted to Indefinitely Postpone the ill-conceived Tax Cap R-25-121 (disguised as a budget cap, but in reality, a tax cap). That is a very good thing. Hopefully, this Tax cap stays dead forever, for you have to be a financial ignoramus … Read more

NH Annual Town Meetings Are Coming – Would You Like a Tax Cap?

January 11, 2025 Skip

I just got my latest tax bill in the mail – once again, I’m working on TMEW to allow me out of my “never run for BudComm again if you let me serve a 3rd term,” as it seems that the Progressive-captured BudComm in my hamlet didn’t see a funding request it disliked. SideNote: Bruce … Read more

You Have 3 Weeks to Propose a Tax Cap on Your Local School Budget

December 29, 2024 Steve MacDonald

Little-noticed Senate Bill SB383 somehow managed to become law without much fanfare, but one of the bill’s provisions could be the key to controlling property tax hikes in your New Hampshire town. First, from Grokster Rep. Judy Aron, what does it do? In summary, this bill provides an additional practical method for a local tax … Read more

So Kids, What Did We Learn From Thursday’s House Session (03/17/22)?

March 18, 2022March 18, 2022 Judy Aron

We learned that it is possible to play the National Anthem on bagpipes. This was how our St. Patrick’s Day House session began. What did they say about the bagpipe player after performing the National Anthem?

Manchester’s Deceptive School Charter Amendment?

July 29, 2021 Steve MacDonald

The bureaucrats are making a move in Manchester. The city has proposed a charter amendment that would give the school board the power to set its own spending.

City of Nashua seth-dewey-EOlo15oy8Ks-unsplash

The Spending Cap Is Back

July 25, 2021 Op-Ed

Nashua adopted a budget cap by its charter through a city-wide referendum in the year 1993. The
cap on spending was enforced over a 25-year period, with only a few “override” votes, until the city
government decided to permanently exclude about $17 million from the cap for sewer expenses
through the adoption of an ordinance.

I Welcome the Ballot Question But Oppose Passage and Believe It Will Backfire on Big Spender Craig.

July 10, 2021 Steve MacDonald

Two years ago, Democrats, led by Mayor Joyce Craig, blocked Alderman Tim Baines’ motion to ask voters whether or not Manchester should continue with its Tax Cap.

And Nashua’s Day Hasn’t Gotten Any Better: Tax Cap Override Back in Play.

June 10, 2021 Skip

NH State Senator Kevin Avard is working to protect the people from the ravenous Progressive-led Nashua City Hall den of spenders.

PSA – Spending Caps and The Rooms and Meals Tax

April 25, 2021 Steve MacDonald

New Hampshire’s Republican Majority has done some decent work on lowering taxes in this year’s session. Two of the measures they are promoting including returning more rooms and meals (sales) tax revenue to cities and towns. Another is a spending cap bill.

Who Wants A Tax Cap?

March 11, 2020March 11, 2020 Norm Silber

If we rely on our elected or appointed officials (aka, the “elites”) to restrain spending of tax dollars on their own volition, we are kidding ourselves.

Notable Quote – James Buchanan and Roger Congleton

January 9, 2020January 9, 2020 Skip

It is evident that a constraint or limit on the taxing power or authority of government means little unless this constraint is also accompanied by constraints on the spending power. If a government can implement direct transfers in a discriminatory manner, then members of any ruling coalition can capture for themselves any desired share of … Read more

Manchester Alderman Worries About Teachers Pay – BOSC Says Show Me the Money!

September 20, 2019 Steve MacDonald

Special Committee on Negotiations Chairman Richard H. Girard took issue with an email sent by at-Large Alderman Daniel P. O’Neil, Chairman of the Board of Aldermen, about the status of negotiations with the city’s teachers.

Victoria Sullivan for Mayor of Manchester

Victoria Sullivan: “Breaking Manchester’s tax cap ignores plight of homeowners”

June 25, 2019 Op-Ed

THE MANCHESTER taxpayers who turned out at the polls on Nov. 3, 2009, were rightfully frustrated and tired of consistent spending increases and tax hikes at City Hall. On that day, they spoke loud and clear. With the power of the ballot box, they sent a message that they were tired of government taking more … Read more