John Lynch delivered his first state of the state address. He outlined broad priorities in more than 20 areas.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Josh Rogers has more.
State of the state addresses often sound like pep rallies -- Governor Lynch's proved no exception.
"We live in the greatest state in the greatest county in the world and I want to keep it that way."
With that bit of teambuilding out of the way, Lynch moved to his central theme -- that bipartisanship represents NH at it's best.
"Bipartisanship forces us to decide issues based on the merits and not on party lines….to care not who gets the credit as long as the right thing gets done; and to listen to the citizens of our state and to each other…..It takes more work, but it gets better results for our people."
Lynch went on to highlight results ranging from flood relief and recovery efforts in Western NH, to saving the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The governor also touted efforts to ensure low income households get fuel assistance……..and that seniors weren't hamstrung by the flawed rollout of the Medicare prescription drug benefit……It didn’t seem a coincidence…… that all of these fights cast NH as transcending party affiliation to beat back a common foe -- the federal government.
"In NH we we're not going to risk the health of our citizens……In NH we acted."
Lynch says NH needs to act with similar resolve to preserve the first in the nation primary……The governor then moved to speak more directly about his administration's more parochial concerns for the coming year.…….These include cracking down on sex offenses against children……..and increasing the minimum age to drop out of high school to 18…..Lynch also talked of he socking away most of the 50 million dollar budget surplus in the rainy day fund……and enacting what he termed bipartisan ethics reform……The Governor said he wants to make good on a key campaign promise he was unable to fulfill last year.
"And now I ask you to support eliminating the statewide property tax….once and for all".
Reaction to the speech, was generally positive.
"I think it was a good speech; he obviously kept hitting on the bipartisanship."
That's Senate Majority Leader Bob Clegg. Clegg added though that there are plenty of unanswered questions about a lot the Governor says he wants to do. He points out that Lynch failed to mention what he'd do to replace the statewide property tax…..Clegg also wanted more detail on how state schools will handle an influx of potentially uncooperative high school students if the drop out age is raised to 18.
"There are quite a few people in my party who say we can't just keep students in school for another two years without a plan….we can't have theme in there simply disrupting things."
Senate Majority Leader Bob Clegg responds following the State of the State Address. (Rebecca Kaufman, NHPR)
Some Democrats voiced similar concerns on that score……Some also faulted Lynch for steering too cautious a course……Durham representative Marjorie Smith says she'd prefer the Governor to push harder to fund state needs left unfilled during last years budget negotiations. But even so, Smith added that there's little doubt the Governor deserves credit for a good first year…..
"The Governor is, I think, becoming more and more skillful at really bring people with divergent views together, and maybe taking baby steps but at least taking some steps."
Not all, though, were buying into the bipartisan vibe……Exeter House republican Marshall Quandt took in the state of the state from Representative hall's anteroom……
"What they are is early campaign speeches."
Quandt added that perhaps that was just as well given his view of bipartisanship-Lynch style.
"About everything the Governors' done has started from a Republican initiative…..so if he wants to congratulate Republicans I'll listen to him…..but until then it's very self-serving."
To listen to Governor Lynch's entire state of the state address, visit NHPR.org…….
