In Her Own Words . . .

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2026 GENERAL ELECTION QUESTIONS FOR BELKNAP CANDIDATES

for State Representative

Denise Riley

1. Give three examples of waste you would cut in our NH state or county
government.
I believe government should be accountable for every dollar it spends. Three areas I would
focus on are:

1. Duplicative government services and administrative overhead. Where state,
county, and local governments are providing overlapping services, we should look for
opportunities to share technology, purchasing, facilities, and administrative functions
rather than paying for multiple systems.

2. Poorly designed contracts and procurement. Government should regularly review
major contracts to make sure taxpayers are getting what they are paying for.
Competitive bidding, performance requirements, and regular audits can identify
contracts that are no longer delivering good value.

3. Non-essential programs that do not demonstrate results. We should not continue
funding a program simply because we have always funded it. Programs should have
measurable goals, and those that consistently fail to deliver should be reformed,
consolidated, or eliminated.

Cutting school funding, public safety, infrastructure, mental-health services, or other
essential services and calling that "waste"; simply shifts the cost to towns, families, and property taxpayers.

2. Do you believe New Hampshire needs to explore additional sources of
state revenue, or do you believe the state’s current approach to taxation
and revenue is working? Please explain.
New Hampshire should be willing to look at all responsible options for funding the services our residents need. I don't believe we should assume that every revenue problem can be solved by cutting services or pushing costs onto municipalities.

Our current system relies heavily on property taxes and on revenues that can fluctuate with the economy. At the same time, the state has shifted more responsibility for education,
infrastructure, public safety, and other services onto local communities.
I would support a serious discussion about long-term revenue stability, including closing
loopholes, evaluating tax expenditures, and considering whether our overall revenue structure is fair and sustainable. Any changes should be evaluated based on who bears the cost and whether they reduce or increase the burden on working families and property taxpayers.

The goal shouldn't be simply to collect more money. It should be to create a fairer and more
predictable system that allows the state to meet its responsibilities without continually sending the bill to municipalities.

3. Do you support having an AI data center located in Belknap County? Explain.
I support economic development and welcome new technology, but I would not support an AI data center simply because someone promises jobs and investment. Any proposed data center should have to demonstrate that it is a good deal for the community. That means evaluating its impact on electricity demand, water use, roads, emergency services, noise, the environment, and local taxpayers. The community should also receive a meaningful benefit from the project rather than absorbing the costs while the company receives the profits.

If a proposed facility can meet strong environmental standards, pay its fair share of
infrastructure costs, protect ratepayers, and receive local approval through a transparent
process, I would consider it. Technology should be welcomed, but not at the expense of local
control, our natural resources, or the quality of life of Belknap County residents.

 
4. Because Laconia hosts more city and county services for the homeless, it also shoulders more of the impact and financial burden. Would you support a county-wide plan to offset those problems and costs? Why or why not?
Yes. If a service is provided on behalf of the entire county, the costs and responsibility should
not fall disproportionately on one community. Laconia should not be penalized because it has the infrastructure, organizations, and willingness to provide services that people throughout the region need. At the same time, a county-wide approach should be about more than distributing the bill. 

I would support a regional plan that looks at shelter capacity, mental-health and substance-use treatment, affordable housing, emergency services, transportation, workforce services, and prevention. The goal should be to reduce homelessness, not simply manage it. A coordinated county approach could avoid duplication, make better use of available resources, and ensure that communities participating in the solution are treated fairly.

5. Should Belknap County towns heavily impacted by out-of-state visitors
receive a higher share of Rooms & Meals tax revenue?
Yes, I believe the state should look at a more equitable distribution of Rooms & Meals tax
revenue. Tourism delivers enormous economic benefits to Belknap County, but it also creates costs for the communities receiving those visitors: roads, public safety, emergency medical services, sanitation, parks, infrastructure, and other municipal services.
I would support a formula that recognizes both the economic benefits and the local costs of
tourism, while making sure smaller communities are not disadvantaged. The objective should be to help communities maintain the infrastructure and services that make Belknap County an attractive destination in the first place.

6. By 2030, what would be your vision for education, and its method of
funding?
I want New Hampshire to have an education system where a child's opportunity is not
determined by their ZIP code or the wealth of the town where they happen to live.

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Every student should have access to excellent teachers, appropriate class sizes, career and
technical education, special education services, mental-health support, technology, and the
skills needed to succeed whether they choose college, a skilled trade, the military, or directly
entering the workforce. 

 

We need to stop acting as if education is primarily a local responsibility, expecting local property taxpayers to carry an enormous share of the cost. The state has a constitutional responsibility to provide an adequate education. By 2030, I want to see a more predictable and equitable state funding formula that provides substantially stronger state support for education, particularly for communities with fewer resources.

I would also protect local control. The state should establish a strong baseline and ensure that every child receives an adequate education, but communities should retain the ability to invest additional local resources according to their own priorities.

My vision is simple: excellent schools, fair funding, strong local control, and a system where
property taxes are not the primary determinant of a child's educational opportunity.

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Denise Riley

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2026 PRIMARY ELECTION QUESTIONS FOR BELKNAP CANDIDATES

for State Representative

Denise Riley

 
1. How long have you lived in Belknap County?  Over 5 years.
If you moved to the county, why did you choose to do so?

Employment originally brought me to Belknap County, and it has become home. I love living in this area with the beauty of our lakes, parks, and mountains, and the ability to enjoy
many outdoor activities year-round. I appreciate the friendships I have made
with long-term residents.

If you have always lived in Belknap County, why have you stayed? N/A
If you’ve been a resident for one year or less, what prompted you to run so soon? N/A
 
2. Why are you running, and what is the most important legislative issue you hope to tackle the next legislative term? 

Unaffordability, particularly with housing costs, was a strong motivator in my decision to run - real estate prices, rents, and property taxes. I understand that lowering these costs is a complex task and I plan to work across the aisle to come up with ideas and solutions.  

3. What do you see are the biggest needs or issues in Belknap County, and what would you do to fill that need? 

Beyond affordable housing, it is important to preserve our natural resources that provide quality of life for residents and attract tourism. I would seek out experts in environmental science / issues and contact local agencies to learn what needs to be done to keep the county safe and beautiful.

4. What distinguishes you from the other candidates running in your district?

I am well-qualified given the skills that I have employed for many years in my career
in investigations: researching, analyzing, collaborating, interviewing,
writing, and most importantly for a state rep, listening to understand, not simply to hear.
 
5. A recent independent report found deficiencies in the current Belknap County jail.  Would you support construction of a building that meets modern standards? Or should the existing jail be renovated? 

It would be important for me to work with County Commissioners and outside consultants to reach an understanding of what the renovations would cost and I would support renovating provided it is the more cost-effective choice.  

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6.   Do you agree that traditional public schools are essential to attracting business and
retaining employees in Belknap county?  Yes, I do.
Should our students’ education be funded at ‘adequate education’ levels as defined by the NH Supreme Court’s in the ConVal decision? Why or why not?

I would need to research what funding at the level of the ConVal decision provides to schools versus what funding at lower rates provides schools to answer that question. My understanding is that some education costs rise annually, and I would include the impact of that in my analysis.

7.  The Belknap County Nursing Home continues to operate under capacity, yet it has a
waiting list of Belknap clients.  What will you do as a member of the Delegation, to assist the County Commission to maximize our nursing care facility?

I would need to investigate the details to learn what has contributed to this unfortunate problem. Ensuring that care is available to our elders who need it would be a priority.

8.  The county nursing home and the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including
Gunstock Mountain Resort, are revenue streams owned by Belknap County.  As a County Delegation member, do you support leasing out the property to a private company, or selling those operations?

I think not, but I would be open to hearing from those who think otherwise.

9.   Opioids and other drugs continue to be a problem in our communities.  What are your ideas to reduce the impact of these drugs in our community? People struggling with
substance use disorder often do not get help until they are involved in the criminal
justice system. The issue of drug abuse is complex and deserves thorough study of what
has and has not been working in Belknap County.

What resources are you willing to commit? Included in the study would be finding programs and solutions that minimize the total financial impact on taxpayers.

10. Belknap County’s delegation of state representatives has the poorest rate of attendance in the state at 78% for the 2024-25 legislative session.  It’s so bad that the 2nd lowest, Strafford County, is 89%.  Do you commit to attending at least 80% of committee meetings, and 90% or more of Session vote days?

Yes, I do.

11.   The Belknap County Sheriff’s Department has entered into an agreement with a U.S Immigration & Customs Enforcement 287(g) program agreement.   Do you support this, and why?

I do not feel there is a need for this arrangement given that immigration has not been a widespread problem here. I think the federal government ought to pay for all costs related to this, not Belknap County taxpayers.

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Ignore - this is a duplicate of #8.

12.    The county nursing home and the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including Gunstock Mountain Resort, are revenue streams owned by Belknap County.  As a County Delegation member, do you support leasing out the property/operations to a private company, or selling the property/operations?

13.    Affordable housing continues to be a problem, causing challenges for our county
economy, including limiting the worker pool, attracting business, and attracting younger families.  If elected, what will you do to increase the stock of affordable housing?    I will look for ways to lower property taxes without adding other new taxes, and for ways to increase the state’s share of funding public education. I would research and study possible incentives for landlords to lower rental rates.

14.   Without clean lakes and rivers, the Belknap County tourism economy would be in
jeopardy.  Should the county financially support pollution control and water quality monitoring programs?  Yes.
Why or why not? We should protect our natural resources, for the safety and quality of life
of residents and for tourists/tourism.
 
15.  Do you agree that the tax reduction for State revenue streams (Business Enterprise Tax, Rooms & Meals, Income & Dividends Tax, et. al), resulted in downshifted costs to Belknap county and local schools, and increased local property taxes?  Yes, I do.   Why or why not?  I have followed reporting on this topic, including from current state reps and the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.

16.   Would you favor reforming the Delegation’s meeting format?

Possibly. I would need more information before opining on that. I plan to watch meetings online. Should the Delegation conduct monthly meetings?  I believe so.
Would you increase public input opportunities? Yes.
Continue with Roberts’ Rules? Yes.