AUGUST was the second straight month that taxes and fees came in below forecast, leading to a budget shortfall early in the new fiscal year.

Revenues amounted to $128.8 million , which was 5.8% off the forecast of $134.6 million.

The shortfall through two months is smaller, at 3.9%, because the state has brought in $250 million when legislative budget writers had expected there would be $260 million in the coffers.

Alarmingly, the biggest dip came in the state’s two main business taxes, which in August produced $13.9 million, about 30% off the expected pace of $20.2 million.

In both July and August, Revenue Commissioner Lindsey Stepp and Comptroller Dana Call reported that reduced corporate tax payments were mainly responsible for the underperformance.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte will n

See Full Page