Let’s face it, nobody is doing well economically… except the wealthy.
New Hampshire hasn’t been helping us in this regard. For example, the Public Utilities Commission, whose members were appointed by Gov. Sununu in November and December, recently approved electricity rate increases for most customers. Eversource, formerly charging 10 cents per kilowatt hour, and Liberty, formerly charging 11 cents per kilowatt hour, have both increased their rates to 22 cents per kilowatt hour. And it doesn’t seem they need it. Eversource reported record profits of over $1.2 billion in 2021.
Even worse, New Hampshire currently has a budget surplus of over $400 million dollars. Our state legislature and our Governor may see that as a good thing, but it comes as a result of cutting state contributions to public schools and pensions, among other things. Since we need to continue funding these, the only option that is left for cities and towns is to raise property taxes.
The cost of housing in Nashua is already very high, and is continuing to climb. From July 2020 to July 2022, the median sale price for a home has jumped from $340,000 to $434,000. The average rental cost has jumped 16% for a 2-bedroom apartment in the last year.
Meanwhile, New Hampshire’s minimum hourly wage is $7.25. A person who works 40 hours a week makes $290 before taxes. If the average 2-bedroom apartment in Nashua is over $2000, people can’t afford to live here. That’s why there are so many “Now Hiring” signs in our restaurant and shop windows.
Energy rates are going through the roof. Housing costs are skyrocketing. Low wages make it impossible for more and more people to get by every day. What can we do?
Here’s my plan:
- Raise the minimum wage to one that allows people to earn a decent living
- Increase the amount of low-cost or subsidized housing, both here and across the state
- Lower the cost of electricity
These actions will help make Nashua a better, more prosperous place for us all and drive progress across the state. We have the ability to act, and we should.
