This is in response to an Op-Ed that Ray Buckley wrote in the Keene Sentinel (produced after the jump)
Guest post by the Hon. Paul Mirski
Lenin believed in the big lie. So does his acolyte Ray Buckley . The favorable statistical measurements about NH that Buckley cites in “New Hampshire has a lot to be thankful for,” were achieved and perpetuated by Republican administrations long before Governor John Lynch and his band of legislator lunatics took over the State House. If some good things still exist about the state it’s only because we’re still coasting slowly on the low spend/ low tax environment initiated by Governor Meldrim Thomson in the 1970’s.
And what of New Hampshire’s future?
For the first time in anyone’s memory New Hampshire is losing population, The American Legislative Exchange Council’s Rich States Poor States Report, published for the year 2007, before State House Democrats had done any damage, ranked NH #1 in the Northeast and #20 nationally for economic potential. In 2009, after just two years of Governor Lynch and his Democrats taking full control of the House and Senate, ALEC downgraded New Hampshire’s economic potential rating to #3 in the Northeast – behind arch rival Massachusetts and over-taxed Connecticut – and #37 nationally, a fall of 17 positions from grace. NH now resides just 13 places from bottom where New York and Vermont wrestle for the distinction of ranking #50.
And then of course, there’s Governor Lynch’s new 13.5 percent LLC tax on small businesses. Gob-smacked, the tax was all the buzz at a recent national convention of tax accountants held in New York City. I imagine that now, having returned home, they’re regaling their clients in Buffalo, Little Rock, Sioux Falls and Seattle about NH’s stupidity. Will the governor’s new tax attract jobs to NH or will it drive them away? How would Lenin describe its benefits? Wait a minute. Ray will tell you.
As a lifelong resident of New Hampshire I have a lot to be thankful for
While times are tough across the country, in New Hampshire we have a lot to be thankful for. As Gov. Lynch says, we live in the greatest state in the greatest country in the world.
This isn’t just political rhetoric — New Hampshire leads the country on almost every important metric.
New Hampshire is navigating the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression far better than most other states. While other states struggled with massive budget deficits, huge tax increases and draconian cuts in services, the New Hampshire state legislature passed a responsible and balanced budget. Difficult decisions had to be made, but Democrats managed to protect essential services without a broad based tax increase.
And despite the difficult national economy, the Granite State continues to be a great place to start a business. According to the conservative think tank, the Tax Foundation, New Hampshire has the best business climate east of the Mississippi and is among the top 10 states nationally. As a result, unemployment in New Hampshire is more than three points lower than the national average.
More work needs to be done, however, and Democrats in New Hampshire are committed to turning around the economy, encouraging job growth and protecting working families. That’s why the legislature passed key research and development tax credits and supported the Health First program that is on track to reduce health care costs for small businesses by 15 percent.
But the low unemployment rate in the New Hampshire is not solely due to the business climate. In today’s increasingly competitive world, an educated workforce is essential, and New Hampshire is one of the most well educated states in the country. We are first in the nation in sending low-income students to college, are among the top five states in key measures of reading and math and have the fourth highest high school graduation rate in the country.
It’s essential that we build on this success and ensure that every student has access to a great public education. That’s why over the last few legislative sessions Democrats have made kindergarten available to every child in the state, expanded Project Running Start to give students an early start on college and defined an adequate education so that for the first time in over 25 years the state is not in a legal battle on the issue.
But while education is essential to the future, public safety is critical to an orderly and vibrant community today. And, fortunately, New Hampshire is one of the safest states in the country. According to the FBI, New Hampshire’s crime rate is half the national average and the second lowest in the country.
In the last legislative session, Democrats passed a number of bills designed to keep it that way. Democrats made human trafficking a crime in New Hampshire. Now, local law enforcement has the authority to take action and won’t have to wait for federal agents to respond to a suspected crime. And using federal dollars, Democrats established a cold case unit. At no cost to the state, New Hampshire’s finest are now using the latest technology to investigate old, unsolved crimes.
We live in one of the most well educated, safest, lowest taxed states in the country. It’s no wonder that the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked New Hampshire the best place to raise a family.
And Democrats, under the leadership of Governor Lynch, are committed to keeping New Hampshire the greatest state in the greatest country in the world.
