1 11 “…to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire’s future.” Board of Directors Todd I. Selig, Chair David Alukonis Michael Buckley William H. Dunlap Sheila T. Francoeur Stephen Reno Stuart V. Smith, Jr. Donna Sytek Brian F. Walsh Kimon S. Zachos Martin L. Gross, Chair Emeritus John D. Crosier, Sr., Emeritus Public Policy in New Hampshire: A Regional Approach Steve Norton, Executive Director NH Center for Public Policy Studies

2 66 What is NH? Thinking Regionally

3 How to understand New Hampshire? On town/city scale? –History of local control: Selectboards, police & fire departments –Large, highly-representative State House: Almost every town gets a vote. On statewide scale? –Public education: Equity across the state –Economic development: tax policy, business climate –Tourism: the New Hampshire “brand”

4 Transportation –Commuting patterns –Mass transit & rail Housing –Workforce housing, senior housing Environment –Water quality –Land preservation But what about across the borders?

5 New Hampshire: A state of regions

6 How crowded is it?

7 Income?

8 Education?

9 Transportation –Links to Boston economy. –1 in 4 residents here commutes out of state. Water –Future of groundwater supplies in light of growth and development What matters to Greater Nashua?

10 What matters to White Mountain Region? Housing –More than one-third of housing stock is seasonal and second homes. –Where do the workers live? Economy –How to add balance to employment?

11 Demographics

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14 ‘Weight’ of the State is moving South (and East)

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17 We’re still growing – but slower Percent Change in NH Population 8.5% 13.8% 21.5% 24.8% 20.5% 11.4% 6.9% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% Source: New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies, analysis of U.S. Census data

18 8 Understanding the past to see the Future: Here come the baby boomers ….

19 14 Are we old? Not yet, but getting there …

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21 16 The new 60? Significant growth of the population

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24 The History (and Future) of State Budgeting In One Slide

25 Spending reductions began in 2008 and continue ….

26 The Changes The Biggies ($) –The Retirement System –Hospital DSH Program –Corrections –Higher Education –Personnel Other (bigger ?) impacts on smaller/more vulnerable populations?

27 Potential Unraveling of budget ….. Will cause additional pressure to reduce spending

28 Federal Budget Changes

29 Federal Spending in NH

30 Safety Net Spending in NH

31 Small Program Changes Could Have Big Impacts

32 Want to learn more? Online: nhpolicy.org Facebook: facebook.com/nhpolicy Our blog: policyblognh.org (603) “…to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire’s future.”