Legislative Update

July 1, 2003

Legislature passes temporary budget, fails to override Governor's veto
The House of Representatives narrowly failed to override the Governor's veto of the 2004/2005 state budget yesterday. Thanks to the insistence of the Senate, the stopgap temporary budget that passed provides the same amount of money as the vetoed compromise budget. The Continuing Budget Resolution passed by the Legislature allows the state to operate until October 1st while budget negotiations continue.

Medicaid payments will continue without interruption - at least until September 30, 2003. However, budget uncertainty continues. In renegotiating the budget, "compromise" means reducing the Committee of Conference budget, so advocacy for Medicaid services will have to be maintained for the next 3 months to avoid further cuts. Legislators should be urged to prevent additional cuts. NHHA will post updates as the work of the new Committee of Conference proceeds.