Jeremy Appleton

I strongly oppose this assault on vital, local community services that would restrict tax payer dollars from funding nonprofits in our county. Prohibiting "certain tax dollars from being donated to non-profit organizations" would effectively kill the ability for any town to designate funds to local nonprofits that provide critical and vanishingly supported community services, causing staggering losses for small, already struggling nonprofit organizations. Town funds have been a critical, sustainable source of support for local nonprofits for decades, and represent a way that local residents can meaningfully and directly help their neighbors in need. For example, the towns of Antrim, Bennington, Francestown, Hancock and Hillsborough currently appropriate funds to the Grapevine & Avenue A through Town Meeting and budget/town warrant approval. These funds are used to provide vital no-cost programs and services to our communities. By eliminating the option for direct municipal appropriations, the bill would limit local control and undermine the “New Hampshire way” of addressing community needs through trusted nonprofit partnerships. I urge you to oppose this prejudicial and damaging bill.