New Hampshire Senate District 2 represents Alexandria, Ashland, Bridgewater, Bristol, Campton, Center Harbor, Danbury, Dorchester, Ellsworth, Grafton, Groton, Haverhill, Hebron, Hill, Holderness, Meredith, New Hampton, Orange, Orford, Piermont, Plymouth, Rumney, Sanbornton, Tilton, Warren, Wentworth and Wilmot.
Party:
Age:
Town of Residence:
Occupation:
Incumbent? If so, how many terms:
What specific policy do you see as most vital? Rebuilding the economy while holding COVID-19 in check is the most vital task before us. The economy provides opportunity and prosperity for our families, and revenues that enable state government to work for you. We must meet the challenge of protecting our people’s health while carefully restoring a robust economy.
How do you plan to address the significant budget challenges our state will face in the months ahead? As a member of the Finance and Ways and Means Committees, the data I’m seeing indicates that the shortfall should be less than originally thought. We’ll deal with any budget shortfall without new taxes, by carefully reviewing the need for state agencies, repurposing them if necessary, using technology to increase efficiency, and continuing to work as a member of the Economic Reopening Task Force to bring back the vitality of our economy. This will bring back jobs, state revenues, and confidence. Working together, we will win.
Party:
Age:
Town of Residence:
Occupation:
Incumbent? If so, how many terms:
What specific policy do you see as most vital? The COVID pandemic has exacerbated the need for universal access to high-speed broadband. Every household in N.H. needs their ability to access tele-health, work from home and remotely attend schools. N.H. has floundered in creating the necessary mapping that is required to determine where broadband is lacking, and the recently passed HB 1111, which allows municipalities to issue tax and revenue bonds to fund local broadband projects, is a step in the right direction but isn’t nearly enough to close New Hampshire’s broadband gaps and keep our State competitive with its regional neighbors. Furthermore, HB 1111 continues the unfortunate practice of the State downshifting its responsibilities onto local property taxpayers for the near term. I would create legislation that provides oversight to assure state-wide mapping and a targeted vendor solution to fill connectivity gaps, and build on our economic future.
How do you plan to address the significant budget challenges our state will face in the months ahead? At the top of the list, I would assure that public schools are adequately funded and that the property taxpayers in our cities and towns are not held responsible for carrying the heavy burden. Once that has been made clear, I would look at the revenue needed to fund our state agencies and state employee contract. I would not support a state income tax or sales tax, but I would focus on how out-of-state corporations like Amazon and Wal-Mart would pay their fair share of tax obligations to N.H.