Long-term vision versus misguided criticism
I developed an innovative strategy to evolve New Hampshire away from its heavy reliance on property taxes and tourism. My goal is to give you real property tax relief long-term. My plan focuses on growing the economy and lowering the cost and complexity of doing business in New Hampshire without overdeveloping the state. This strategy is acclaimed by financially sophisticated peers, business associations, and state agencies. Yet, a recent editorial by Paula Hunter baselessly criticized this long-term vision without offering a single viable alternative.
Hunter based her criticism on a high-level presentation used to recruit colleagues for a new legislative caucus I will lead, giving Francestown and Deering more influence at the State House. A representative must first draft a bill, gather co-sponsors, and have the Department of Revenue Administration research and attach a fiscal note with cost and revenue estimates. Hunter’s demands for exact financial estimates during the initial caucus-building stage ignore the reality of the legislative process.
The author argued that profit taxes fall during a recession, ignoring that my strategy includes other methods for mitigating this vulnerability. But what’s my opponent’s alternative? Tim Coffin relies on reinstating the Interest and Dividends tax and raising business tax rates. Hunter claimed business profits fall. Don’t interest rates plummet during a recession too? By that logic, wouldn’t Coffin’s revenue strategy be far more devastating to the state budget during an economic downturn than my proactive approach?
Finally, Hunter impugns my executive and successful entrepreneurial experience while propping up Coffin’s 40 years in municipal debt. I won IBM Corporation’s Summit Award for Manager of the Year, the company’s highest award for managerial excellence. If you want results and not rhetoric, re-elect me on Nov. 3.