(Concord, NH) – Jeb Bradley filed for re-election today for the New Hampshire Senate in District 3 which includes all Carroll County communities as well as Milton, Middleton, and Waterville Valley. Since winning a special election in 2009, Bradley has served two terms in the Senate and since 2010 has served as Majority Leader.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve again in the New Hampshire Legislature. My priorities for the past 4 years have been to implement budget reforms to make state government more cost effective and efficient and to create an environment where our small businesses can grow and create jobs. We have done that,” said Bradley.
Bradley cited his most significant accomplishment as passage of Medicaid reform legislation (SB-147) that will lower costs and assure quality care for 10% of New Hampshire’s population. Bradley partnered with Governor John Lynch on this bipartisan legislation now being implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services. Bradley’s legislation is projected to save $16 million in this budget and more in future budgets.
Bradley also led efforts to reform pensions for public employees. This legislation has reduced the pension systems unfunded future liability by approximately $850 million significantly lowering employer costs paid by property taxpayers. “Pension reform was difficult but necessary as the costs for taxpayers were increasing dramatically and threatened jobs for police, firefighters, and teachers,” said Bradley.
Blocking return of donor towns under the state wide property tax was a key priority of Bradley’s. He co-sponsored bi-partisan legislation that insured New Hampshire’s cities and towns did not lose state education assistance and also prevented taxpayers in 11 Senate District 3 communities from paying millions as donor towns under the statewide property tax. Bradley called the statewide property tax divisive and said he will strenuously fight efforts to reintroduce it.
Bradley also sponsored SB-125, bipartisan legislation which helps prevent a business owner’s salary from being subject to the Business Profits Tax. “Similar to our efforts to repeal the LLC Tax, SB-125 gives entrepreneurs and small business owners more certainty which helps grow jobs,” Bradley said. He noted that New Hampshire’s unemployment rate has dropped from 5.8% in November 2010 to 5% currently and attributes tax certainty and other pro-growth initiatives as extremely helpful.
Bradley also sponsored SB-218 which enhances renewable energy options in New Hampshire. SB-218 which awaits Governor Lynch’s signature will protect nearly 500 jobs in the forest products industry and also assist many small hydroelectric facilities in New Hampshire.
Partnering with physicians, nurses, substance abuse providers and law enforcement, Bradley sponsored SB-286 which will be signed by Governor Lynch on June 12th. SB-286 will establish a prescription monitoring program that will curb illegal use of prescriptions such as Oxycodone.
“I have enjoyed working with so many people in Concord to tackle large problems and focus on job growth and spending restraint. I look forward to serving another two years in the Legislature and continue to work on these priorities,” said Bradley.
Bradley previously served in Congress where he was twice named Citizen of the Year by the New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars and also worked to preserve 5000 jobs at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Bradley was named 2010 Legislator of the Year by the New Hampshire Association of Counties and 2011 Legislator of the Year by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire. Bradley was also named to Business New Hampshire’s 2011 Influencer Index.
Bradley lives in Wolfeboro with his wife of 33 years Barbara. They have four grown children. Bradley is an avid hiker in his spare time having recently finished climbing all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4000 foot peaks for a fifth time including all 48 in winter. Bradley will also be helping to maintain a trail in the White Mountain National Forest this summer.
