Creating Bipartisan Budgets in New Hampshire and New Jersey

The New Hampshire budget signed by Governor Maggie Hassan was praised by both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature after passing by a near unanimous vote.

“Like all budgets, this plan required compromise and difficult decisions. But the overwhelming, bipartisan support for the priorities in this budget ? job creation, public safety, education, caring for our most vulnerable citizens, and preserving our natural resources ? demonstrates that our shared values as Granite Staters are far more significant than our differences,” Governor Hassan said.

New Jersey’s budget totals $33 billion and is the first budget Governor Chris Christie has negotiated with state Democratic leaders.

“Working together, we were able to put the people of New Jersey first and pass this budget early,” Governor Christie said in a statement. “Once again, Washington D.C., could take a lesson from the bipartisan example we have set here in New Jersey.”

Both states’ policymakers engaged in significant give-and-take with the governors and their legislatures both compromising to reach an agreement.

There is much Washington decision-makers can learn from their state and local counterparts. The 50 State Solutions series offers examples of bipartisan leadership in the states with the hope that some of it will rub off on our D.C. representatives, and provide examples for Washington to follow. Please suggest examples in your own community of state and local officials from both parties working together to get things done for you. Use the hashtag #50StateSolutions on Twitter.