By JEB BRADLEY
When Republicans won the majority in the New Hampshire Senate in 2010, 2012 and 2014, we set fundamental goals: protecting taxpayers and improving the economic climate in New Hampshire while meeting the needs of New Hampshire citizens. The results speak for themselves.
Under Republican leadership at the State House, sometimes with bipartisan cooperation but often over the objection or veto of Gov. Hassan, we have set the policy groundwork for a steadily improving economy. New Hampshire’s unemployment rate is second lowest in the nation. We reformed workers’ compensation laws, contributing to 9 percent reduction in costs. High health care costs are another major concern for employers. With the support of organizations such as the Business and Industry Association and chambers of commerce, the New Hampshire Health Protection Plan was reauthorized. This will continue to provide a brake on rising health care costs by reducing the hidden tax of uncompensated care. We did not capitulate to Gov. Hassan’s veto of business tax relief and made New Hampshire more competitive.
Perhaps nothing has been more impactful to our state’s future than our work to stabilize our state’s budget.
In 2009, Democrats, led by then Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan, produced a budget that led to an $800 million projected deficit despite nearly 100 taxes and fee increases, including the LLC income tax. Poor management of funds and a 24 percent increase in spending over two Democratic budgets were to blame. After six years of House and Senate Republicans dedicated to protecting taxpayers, we turned the Democrats’ $800 million deficit into a $100 million addition to our Rainy Day Fund. And we repealed Hassan’s LLC income tax on small businesses.
Along with workers’ compensation and health care costs, we made cutting New Hampshire’s business taxes, then 3rd highest in the nation, a top priority. Gov. Hassan vetoed the 2015 budget because she wanted to preserve New Hampshire’s high business taxes. Since overriding her veto, the results have been impressive. The tax cuts went into effect on Jan. 1. More of our fellow Granite Staters found work in the first six months of 2016 than in 2014 and 2015 combined.
People are recognizing these positive economic results. There has been a dramatic increase in the confidence New Hampshire residents have in the economy as detailed in a recent UNH Survey, which found more than half of citizens believe the business climate is improving.
By protecting taxpayers and stabilizing the budget, we were able to authorizing a significant influx of new resources dedicated to combating the heroin crisis in New Hampshire, as well as new resources for mental health and families with disabled children.
The 2015 budget increased drug and alcohol addiction treatment funding by 75 percent. We established a grant program for drug courts which will provide resources and treatment for addicts, breaking the cycle of recidivism that hinders recovery. We provided more heroin recovery, prevention and treatment resources for those addicted to opioids. New Hampshire also supported law enforcement’s ability to combat drug dealers by providing funds to continue the successful Granite Hammer program, fighting the influx of drugs on our streets. We still have more to do to stem the tide of heroin addiction but have made significant and appropriate investment of new resources.
Another priority was providing the necessary funding to eliminate the Developmental Disabilities Wait List for families with a disabled child. For some unknown reason, Gov. Hassan has ignored her responsibility to ensure services needed by these families are actually delivered. A year later, 151 children and families wait for care that would significantly improve their quality of life. Also inexplicably, the governor did not open 10 new beds for mental health patients at the New Hampshire Hospital for a year despite the necessary funding being authorized.
Protecting taxpayers went beyond three budgets that adopted responsible spending levels without raising any taxes and increasing the Rainy Day Fund to $100 million. It also meant tackling a tough challenge long ignored by multiple legislatures and governors. Over the veto of Gov. Lynch, in 2011 the Senate and House reformed our pension system. Those reforms have been upheld by the Supreme Court, and over time will reduce an unfunded future liability for taxpayers of nearly $5 billion while stabilizing costs for property taxpayers.
Results define leadership. We look forward to continuing to protect taxpayers, grow jobs and meet the needs of New Hampshire residents and give them the results that they expect and deserve.
Sen. Jeb Bradley, R- Wolfeboro, is Majority Leader of the New Hampshire Senate.
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