The governor has conducted any number of COVID-19 press conferences with humility and self-deprecating humor. These attributes aside, however, the governor is no moderate, having vetoed common-sense economic, environmental, education, and gun-legislation bills. His record is one that does not support the aspirations of average New Hampshire citizens nor support common-sense actions for our state.
In 2019 and 2020 he vetoed family and medical aid bills (HB 720). He vetoed closing gun background-check loopholes although over 80% of New Hampshire residents supported this bill. In an era where blue-collar workers increasingly struggle, he advocates “right to work” bills that weaken unions, and he will not increase minimum-wage standards (HB 731). While education is the bedrock to a strong economic future, he proudly supports state funding for K-12 that is the lowest percentage in the nation.
And, despite climate change being the existential threat of our times, he vetoes net metering bills that will encourage solar production and reduce fossil fuel usage.
One should not dismiss his positive actions on the pandemic, but any thinking human being would have acted in a similar fashion. Beyond the pandemic, however, the governor’s actions on education, climate, gun control, and economic prosperity portray an agenda that acts to the detriment of New Hampshire’s citizens.
BRUCE BERK
Pittsfield