Time for a change; our Governor has failed New Hampshire

New Hampshire is at a significant crossroads today.  The last few years have seen an economy where no real new jobs have been added, and our tax burden on both businesses and individuals has increased.  This year’s race for NH Governor is the most critical race in over a decade.  The future of our State will be shaped by the election in November.

The Democrat Governor Maggie Hassan has done nothing in her first term; she has managed to avoid the press, and with no natural disasters or floods, there has not been any real reason for Hassan to be visible.  Her “plan” for economic development and job creation in NH; handing a gaming license to a Nevada corporation, and then HOPE gambling will CHANGE New Hampshire’s economy.  Is that leadership?  Is that a sound economic plan?  Hardly.  Because Hassan has NO business background and no experience running a business, it is not difficult to see why she has had no real plan for our State.

I am not alone in this observation.  New Hampshire’s financial outlook took a HUGE hit less than 48 hours ago, when S&P lowered its credit rating outlook for NH.  This is an unprecedented move and the effects of this will impact everyone.  New Hampshire will now face higher borrowing costs, and that includes bonding for the roads and bridges with the just passed increase in the gas tax for those purposes. 

How did this happen?  Simple; Governor Hassan has spent nearly two years in office pandering to the wishes and desires of a Nevada casino company, and pandering to anyone in the Legislature whose arms she thought she could twist by making empty promises.  She has tried to sell out our State and its future to the interests of an out of state corporation, while ignoring the real issues.

What is the future of New Hampshire?  If Governor Hassan is re-elected, it is simple; we will be looking at both a sales tax and a state income tax; something the Democrat Party has wanted for decades.  These taxes, like the S&P credit issue, will be on Governor Hassan’s watch.  Are we prepared for that?  Don’t be fooled if she claims it won’t happen; a mere 48 hours ago she never would have imagined what S&P thought about NH’s financial picture.

Fortunately, Walt Havenstein has entered the race and after S&P’s action, the case for Walt for Governor is more compelling than ever.  As CEO of BAE Systems, he has run one of NH’s largest employers.  He has created jobs, established and followed budgets that have exceeded the size of the entire NH State budget several times over.  Walt understands what it takes to see businesses succeed.   He also knows how to make NH a friendly place for new businesses to locate here, and existing businesses not only to remain here, but to thrive and even expand.  Walt will lead and be visible; not simply hide in Concord and wait for some “crisis” to occur  Avoiding a crisis in the first place is the sign of a true leader.  HOPING for things to CHANGE is not leadership, and NH cannot afford 2 more years of that with Hassan.