Gov. Chris Sununu says America’s gun law debate should be occurring in Washington, and not in Concord.
A week after a mass shooting at a Florida school, Sununu said the state's focus should be on continuing to invest in school security upgrades and in kids.
It's a familiar theme for the first-term governor. In his State of the State speech last week, he plugged nearly $20 million distributed for public school improvements, including what he called overdue security measures, such as surveillance cameras in front of some buildings, and card readers at entrances on certain schools. Close to 300 schools will get those security funding grants, he said.
In that address, Sununu also promoted efforts to lower business taxes, reduce onerous regulations, expand access to public kindergarten and school choice, and support workforce development. He could not ignore the Florida tragedy in his remarks, however. Similarly, it was a hot topic among listeners and callers when Sununu appeared on The Exchange on Thursday:
Sununu says a multi-pronged approach is needed - that there is not one single fix to a nagging cultural, societal problem. And he said banning the AR-15, the style of assault rifle used in the Florida attack, is not the answer.
“If you think that just by banning an assault rifle we’re just going to make everybody safer, I’m sorry, I just don’t see how that works because there are all these other options out there still," he said. "Again, you’re walking a very dangerous line when you just keep picking off one weapon after another after another after another. Eventually you’re going to get to a point where you are just taking people’s firearms away.”
Sununu did express support for strengthening the federal criminal background check system and funding to help local law enforcement detect possible school threats. The governor said the state has made strides to address the mental health system.
A year ago today,Sununu signed his first bill into law - to repeal the license requirement to carry a concealed, loaded gun.
Fighting Opioid Addiction
Sununu says the state is reviewing various drug treatment providers to ensure they are stable and sustainable.
The process began before Hope for New Hampshire Recovery announced this week it is closing four of its five addiction treatment centers. But Hope's news underscored the importance of a review.
“We’re taking them through a kind of financial review. I think Serenity Place was kind of a warning sign for a lot of us .. that there can be financial problems there. You want to make sure that, long term, they are stable. What are the outcomes and metrics that we’re getting out of them.”
Serenity Place is the Manchester center that closed last month due to financial troubles. Other non-profits are taking up the services.
Sununu says prevention and access to treatment are two big keys to the state’s efforts to combat opioid addiction.
Other highlights from the governor's appearance on The Exchange include:
- Medicaid expansion: “We’re looking for more resources, more flexibility,” he said. We need a New Hampshire version of the plan.” He says he’s been in regular contact with federal Medicaid officials to this end. He wants an innovative approach to tailor to local needs, including the opioid crisis and an older, and aging, population. Thelegislation to extend and reauthorize Medicaid is pending; Sununu said he’s made a commitment that the “alcohol fund,” which funds alcohol and substance abuse, would not be with one dollar less than what it was before.
- Liquor Commission: Sununu noted his administration forwarded Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky's complaint alleging "money laundering" regarding bulk sales of Hennessy cognac at the New Hampshire State Liquor stores. He said there are questions on both sides of this controversy.
- On Northern Pass: Sununu said the Site Evaluation Committee, the state regulator weighing the proposed $1.6 billion transmission line, short-cut the applicant review process when the SEC voted unanimously against Northern Pass. “They caved to public pressure. They weren’t even supposed to take the vote until weeks later.” Sununu has long been open about his support for the project. He noted Thursday that he’s always said it’s part of the puzzle, along with diversified energy portfolio.
