VIDEO: 'New Hampshire's Future is Now'

"New Hampshire's Future is Now," Republican Kevin Smith's economic plan, is based in part on his belief that state government is stuck in the past.

Modernizing government operations and providing more e-services, coupled with a reduced corporate tax rate and more business-friendly climate, will make New Hampshire the envy of other states, according to Smith. Or, as he told Merrimack Republican Town Committee on Monday night, he aims to be Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's "worst nightmare."

Smith, a former Litchfield state representative possibly best known for his leadership of the conservative Cornerstone Action, has Ovide Lamontagne of Manchester as his competition for the GOP nomination at this point. In speaking to Merrimack Republicans, he said he wants to curb two great migrations:

1. young people leaving the state, the so-called brain drain, and
2. New Hampshire residents who commute to jobs in Massachusetts because they cannot find work in state.

Smith said modernizing state government is overdue. He cited a 2003 efficiency study (and he elaborates on it in the attached VIDEO) that indicated various ideas could save $74 million in the first year alone. And he pointed to Delaware, with its e-government ease for corporations and LLCs, as an example of how far New Hampshire is behind.

"It's really ridiculous how much stuff is not online right now," Smith said.