Business View Magazine | May 2019

206 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MAY 2019 and programs that provide general property tax relief to offset public service expenses unique to each municipality. In 2010, to weather the state’s recovery from the recession, there were significant reductions in every one of these municipal state aid programs. These reductions were of a magnitude that could not be offset by local spending cuts; consequently, they inevitably led to increased property taxes. Although the State of New Hampshire has experienced significant revenue growth over the past decade, the legislature has not fulfilled its promise to return state aid to municipalities. Since 2008, there has been a significant reduction in municipal state aid programs, to the point that funding in 2019 is approximately 72% of the amount provided before the recession. The state is in a much different financial position than it was in 2010, yet state funding for municipal programs remains suspended, frozen, reduced, or eliminated in the proposed budget. This leaves local property tax taxpayers to continue shouldering the financial burden of providing essential public services that benefit the broader economic health of the state. NHMA’s Legal Advisory Services Although 49 out of 50 states have a municipal league or association like New Hampshire’s, many of the organizations focus primarily or entirely on advocacy and lobbying. However, NHMA also provides its members with legal advice and training through our Legal Advisory Service. This department comprises two attorneys whose primary job is to provide general legal assistance to elected and appointed officials from member towns, cities, and village districts. In addition to answering thousands of legal questions each year, the attorneys prepare articles and handbooks and provide training through educational programs across the state on a variety of municipal issues. These attorneys work hard to educate municipal officials and employees on everything from compliance with New Hampshire’s open government law (The Right-to-Know Law), to serving on a local land use board, to running town meeting. Making it All Happen None of the above could happen without NHMA staff, who are all talented, knowledgeable, dedicated to NHMA and its members, collaborative, innovative, and fun-loving, yet serious about the work they do on behalf of NHMA members. The amount of work they produce is incredible, high quality, and on target.  All of us at NHMA believe strongly in local government and believe in local officials. We recognize it is not an easy job and that many of them are on the front lines on many difficult issues. NHMA is here to support them. Everything we do is for them, our members, whether it is legislative advocacy, Town & City magazine, providing legal advice, or presenting workshops. We count on the support of our members so we can continue to support our members!