Gov. Abbot: Inviting NH businesses to a better business climate
“Texas is wide open for New Hampshire businesses looking to escape the restrictive tax burdens solidified by Governor Hassan’s unfortunate veto of the state budget.” That’s what Texas Governor Greg Abbott said after Her Highness the Governess Margaret Wood Hassan vetoed the budget passed by the House and Senate. In his statement, Abbot continued, quote: “Fortunately for those businesses, the Lone Star State offers a chance to thrive in an economic environment free of over-regulation and over-taxation that limits their success…And with Texas already offering one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the nation, with no corporate income tax, no individual income tax and no property tax at the state level, I welcome the opportunity to meet with any company considering a move to our great state to explore all that Texas offers.” We’ll publish Governor Abbot’s statement in full at Girard at Large dot com.
Hassan: Issues veto
Back here at home, Hassan continued with her complaint that the G O P legislature’s budget didn’t fund union employee pay raises, gave big unpaid for, giveaway tax cuts to big bad corporations and didn’t reauthorize the expansion of Medicaid. She reiterated claims that it wouldn’t allow the state to take care of bridges and roads, and added complaints about the use of sixty five million dollars in one time funds for operating expenses, slashing services at the Sununu Youth Center and essentially lying about funding of various social and health services of particular interest given the heroin epidemic running rampant throughout the state. She happily signed the continuing resolution she was able, without much effort, to squeeze out of lawmakers to keep the government open despite her veto of the budget.
Jasper: Lots of words, not much action
In wake of the veto, House Speaker Shawn Jasper released a statement saying, in part, that Hassan quote “has chosen to veto a budget which reduces business taxes over the next five years, affecting companies that provide 95% of the private sector jobs in the state. She has chosen to veto a budget that provides much needed funding in our fight against substance abuse, increases funding for local schools and higher education, invests in our state’s continued efforts to improve our infrastructure, ensures public safety, and appropriates more money for health and human services than we have ever budgeted before. In short, this governor has chosen to turn her back on the real people of New Hampshire. I am concerned that her decision today will create a hardship for the men and women of our state who are most in need of our services.”
Morse: Fewer words, not more action
Senate President Chuck Morse issued a statement in which he said Hassan’s veto quote “blocks important funding increases that support state agencies and our state’s neediest citizens and creates uncertainty within these organizations. In addition, the veto puts on hold important business tax reductions that are designed to create jobs and stimulate New Hampshire’s business economy.” Both Morse and Jasper took jabs at what Morse characterized as Hassan’s priorities which he said quote “continue to be centered on narrow-minded special interests and not the good of New Hampshire citizens.”
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Chief Justice Roberts: Has Webster turning over in his grave
As you may have heard, the Supreme Court of the United States has again decided that words don’t mean what they mean in ruling that the federal government could continue to subsidize Obamacare policy holders, despite the law’s provision that only residents in states that created their own health care exchanges were eligible for taxpayer subsidies. We received several statements on the matter and we will be publishing them at Girard at Large dot com.
Derryfest: It is ALIVE! It lives!
Looks like the pronouncement of Derryfest’s death was a bit premature. The Derry Arts Council yesterday announced it would cover the overtime costs of town Parks and Recreation staff so that the annual festival could be held for the twenty seventh time. Derryfest organizers said that because town officials told them budget cuts eliminated the overtime they needed to work the festival, they would have to cancel it. That raised a lot of questions not just about Derryfest’s conduct, but also about the motives of town staff given that the total cut to the overtime budget was just twenty five hundred bucks. While it’s nice to see the Derry Arts Council come forward with the cash, one has to wonder why they don’t save themselves some money and hire private sector workers to set up tables and chairs and the like. Anyway, crisis avoided in Derry.
Willard: To be sworn in (then will be sworn at…)
Manchester’s new Police Chief Nick Willard will be sworn in on Monday morning during an official ceremony at the Center of New Hampshire Radisson Hotel. Alongside for the swearing in ceremonies will be Captain Carlo Capano, the man chosen by Willard to be Assistant Chief of the department and five new officers. No doubt, the requisite city officials will be on hand as well. Willard, who has risen through the department’s ranks to be assistant chief, will officially take the reigns on July first as Chief David J. Mara, who’s held the position for seven years, retires. Our best to Willard, Capano, the new guys and all those who wear blue.
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
