As Governor, I Would Move New Hampshire Forward
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Our families and our state will have a strong and vibrant future if we come together to make New Hampshire an innovative, business-friendly state with the best economy and best workforce in the nation.
That’s why I am running for governor and why I will be traveling to every part of our great state over the next few months to introduce myself to you and to ask for your support.
My dad was a World War II veteran and my mom a high school history teacher. They raised me to believe in the importance of community and bringing people together to solve problems. As an attorney, I worked with businesses and nonprofits to solve complex challenges in the workplace. That experience, along with my role as mom to two great children — daughter Meg and my son Ben, who was born with severe disabilities — led then Gov. Jeanne Shaheen to appoint me to a state committee on education funding more than a decade ago.
In 2004, I was elected to the state Senate and in 2008 was chosen by my colleagues to serve as majority leader. I worked closely with Gov. John Lynch to move our state forward. In tough economic times, we cut state spending and balanced the state’s budget while protecting our citizens and our state’s priorities.
We created the research-and-development tax credit and a program called New Hampshire Working, which became a national model and makes it easier for businesses to avoid layoffs and to hire new workers. We extended public kindergarten to every child in our state, expanded health insurance to more children and worked with small businesses to develop new health insurance alternatives so that more businesses could offer this benefit to their workers.
As governor, I will keep New Hampshire moving in the right direction with an innovation plan that will help ensure that New Hampshire’s economy and workers continue to lead the nation. Let’s make smart investments, like the research-and-development tax credit, and provide the kind of technological assistance to our businesses that spurs innovation, growth and job creation.
Most importantly, I want to reinvest in our people. Innovative companies need an innovative and trained work force, particularly workers skilled in math, science and engineering. For our state to compete — with our neighbors and the world — we need to have the best-trained workers in the nation, and that means we need one of the best education systems in the world.
As governor, I will prioritize education. We have to invest in our schools while also holding them accountable for delivering the results that will attract innovative companies and the good jobs they create.
The current Legislature has made the wrong choices for our state. It cut funding for higher education in half. It cut funding to public schools and cut health care for seniors, all while giving away millions in our taxpayer dollars to big tobacco, tax evaders and private schools. As governor, I will make sure state government spends our taxpayer money on the right priorities, and, like Govs. Lynch and Shaheen, I will balance the budget without an income or a sales tax.
I will also continue to be a champion for women’s health care and civil rights. I will fight any measure that raises health care costs for women — such as denying them access to or coverage for birth control. And I will continue to insist that they be trusted to make their own health care decisions.
I believe that we can build a strong, innovation-based economy for the future if we come together as a state — Democrats, independents and Republicans. That’s how I worked in the state Senate, and that is how I will work as governor. But it also means state government leaders need to focus on our shared priorities.
Our state faces a clear choice in November. We can continue in the direction of Gov. John Lynch, bringing people together to move New Hampshire forward, or we can go in the direction of Speaker Bill O’Brien and the current Legislature, where the needs of middle-class families take a back seat to an extreme social agenda.
I hope you will join me in continuing to move New Hampshire forward.
Maggie Hassan of Exeter, a former state Senate majority leader, is running for the Democratic nomination for governor.
Underwater Couple
1:56 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
"Forward" is the Washington DNC Term Maggie. This is New Hampshire. We are people who live right here. NH has already had a big problem with Hodes and Porter who did not care how we in NH feel. Are you going to do the same?
Mike Healey
3:26 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Forward is the logical choice when choosing a direction to move in.
Sadly Hodes and Porter lost in the inevitable backlash election after every Presidential change. It say more about the ignorance of the average voter than it says about Hodes and Porter. And what of the promises of those defeated them, empty....
Seamus Carty
8:30 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
"It say more about the ignorance of the average voter than it says about Hodes and Porter."
Ah the irony of a liberal slandering the average voter while making a grammar mistake in their post. It should be "It says", not "it say".
Steve From NH
2:18 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
So you pick one word out of that and try to use it to club her over the head? If you or I use the word "forward" now, does that mean that we are Washington DNC insiders?
I bet you can get at least one good idea out of what Ms. Hassan wrote above, you just have to open your mind a little bit. Stop thinking the way you are told to think by the T-Party, y'know?
Yes, this is still New Hampshire, but some of the whackos and their ideas are getting into the House, who seems to be trying to turn NH into Alabama. NOT forward. Backward.
Underwater Couple
2:25 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Any democrat that uses marketing materials generated from Washington DC is a sure tip off thay do not want to represent ME. I used Hodes and Porter as an example to clarify which you seem to ignore.
If Maggie is going to sell NH on what appears to me as a Socialist Agenda I will reject her.
Mike Healey
3:29 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Any amount of reality or logic could not sway someone who uses the phrase "socialist agenda" in anything but a joke. Until Faux news give you your next thought we are all stuck hearing about the current one they planted in your head.
Steve From NH
7:10 am on Sunday, June 24, 2012
And that's the problem.
I have news for you - "ME" is not the only person that matters.
The Tea Party should be called the Me Party, it's a better description, and if you're not signed up you should be.
Your definition of a socialist agenda is "anything that's not what I want".
"ME!" is the definition of tyranny. Odd isn't it, because you're the one with the "don't tread on me" signs in the garage.
And I will bet, if I go out into your garage to look for those signs I will see "marketing materials" plastered on the back of your car that were generated out of Washington DC, or some campaign office somewhere.
Ironic isn't it? The people that scream the loudest about someone else using words that came from somewhere else are the very same Me Party Crackpots that speak in bumper sticker phrases and buzzwords like "liberty!", "lamestream media!", "socialist agenda!" and "sheeple!", and carry signs and call each other "patriot" so that they all seem alike.
Mike Healey
3:30 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Lets make sure to keep the Democratic primary clean so we are sure to protect the governorship from the radical right's social agenda.
Dane Frederick Hoover
5:17 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Maggie, good luck I don't agree with you politically but it takes a lot of courage to run and serve at any level in government.
David Pittelli
9:01 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
The problem I have with this position paper is that it is, perhaps like most such papers and political speeches, hopelessly vague. Ms. Hassan says things like "We have to invest in our schools while also holding them accountable for delivering... results." What is really said here? We already "invest in our schools," and as Ms. Hassan is running for Governor of NH, not local office, the only reasonable inference is that she wants the State of NH to send more money to cities and towns for education. I wish she would just say that, so we can judge it on the merits, and ask, how much? and how to be apportioned?
Also, "holding them accountable" -- how does Ms. Hassan aim to do that? For the phrase to mean anything at all, it must mean that the state will make it easier to, if not require, the firing of poorly performing teachers, or at least principals. If the phrase does not mean that, then it is nothing but a cheap lie. If it does, then Ms. Hassan should say clearly what she means. That she does not do so leads to the inference that in fact she will not hold people accountable, that she will not take on the teachers' union as she is, like essentially all Democrats, beholden to it. Now, one can make a case for tenure and all the union protections which now exist for teachers, but that would require actually saying something of substance. (I wouldn't necessarily disagree with her if she did so, as I have seen the sort of political BS which can get teachers in hot water.)
ForThePeople
12:51 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
I think that these kinds of articles are to explain what her attitudes would be towards legislation in those areas. I would like specifics also, but the problem with that is it is the legislative branch which crafts the bills. Being overly specific would be inaccurate, in the end.
Don Duston
10:47 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Glad to hear Ms Hassan would "move New Hampshire forward". Wow, bet none of the other candidates considered doing that. She really went out on a limb, how impressive.
Bob Samson
10:57 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Forward mean Mass. She wants to make us just like Mass.
Paula Francese
7:27 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Prove it
Bob Samson
10:35 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Paula Francese.
It is up to Hassan to DISPROVE IT. Do not blame me for the reputation democrats have. They did it to themselves.
Steve From NH
11:12 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
To "DISPROVE" that you'll have to vote for her so she can get elected.
Democrats have a reputation for being reasonable compared to republicans.
If you were reasonable you would know that you can't disprove vague accusations like you're making.
Can you disprove that you're not secretly a liberal who really wants NH to have an income tax so you can collect bigger welfare checks, and since Maggie Hassan says she won't do that, you figure you have to stop her from getting elected? I mean, since you're secretly a liberal (disprove that!) but want to appear to be right wingnutty, anything you say can't really be believed, unless you admit that you really are a liberal just trying to play a trick.
By the way, Mass. is doing pretty well since the republican governors left.
Diane Sheehan
12:45 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Maggie has a proven track record, and leadership skills that enable her to work collaboratively with both sides of the aisle in a way that will keep NH from having an income tax and drive the NH advantage. Maggie, you have my full support.
ForThePeople
12:52 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
I'm leaning towards Cilley, but I'm keeping an open mind.
Dane Frederick Hoover
9:07 am on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Maggie is a good and decent person, we just disagree with her policies and the way "forward" she would like to go. We have to stop the personal attacks and just deal with the issues. Most of her supporters and detractors have NO idea what she really would do as governor they just see a "D" next to her name. If your a supporter or not have discussions based in policy not rhetoric.
http://www.facebook.com/maggiehassanforgovernor
Brian St. Onge
7:04 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
The fact that you used the word "forward" in your remarks tells me where your priorities are and who you associate yourself with. You've been scratched of my list.
Atlant Schmidt
7:10 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
As if she would have ever been "on" your list; we've all read you remarks here on Patch.
Brian St. Onge
7:12 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Moving New Hampshire "forward" means higher taxes, more spending and an expansion of welfare programs. Yes, Maggie, that's gonna get you a lot of supporters.
WALTER JOHNSTON
7:56 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
walter johnston
dear maggie I know you will if people like BRIAN ST.ONGE votes for you and not the tea party led by speaker O'BRIEN.he has made our state go back 20yrs.look at the bad bills he try to pass even 1/2 of his own party hope he does not win in nov.
Steve From NH
6:23 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
>Moving New Hampshire "forward" means higher taxes, more spending and an >expansion of welfare programs.
Where does she say that? What, do you just make stuff up?
You can tell that much about a person because of a single word in their remarks? Wow, you must be something special. I'll still sleep tonight if I get scratched from your list though.
And "forward" is a better direction than the one you're going - the one that leads to states like Mississippi.
Mike black
8:14 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Why does Mike Healey insult the average voter by calling us ignorant, just because they dont match his political preferences ? Patch moderators, please remove comments that are insulting !!
Atlant Schmidt
8:50 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Mike black:
Coming from someone who, at 9:09 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, wrote "Who's dumber - mrs horn or mr Healey ?", that's sounds awfully hypocritical.
http://nashua.patch.com/articles/a-disturbing-pattern#comments
Bob Samson
9:17 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
New Obama slogan has long ties to Marxism, socialism
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2012/apr/30/new-obama-slogan-has-long-ties-marxism-socialism/
Atlant Schmidt
3:12 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Oh noes! Not the dreaded "socialism"!!!!
Wait just a moment, I think I'm getting the vapours! (Note the subversive European spelling even!)
That dog don't hunt anymore, Bob. Lots of people are starting to realize that fire protection, roads, police protection, schools, winter snow removal, and trash collection are all "socialist". And we're just not scared any more.
P.S.: The military is probably our largest "socialist" enterprise, yet the Right Wing seems to *LOVE* that bit of socialism.
Steve From NH
9:51 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
It's a word. Better than "Backward".
The word "Patriot" was used a lot by the Hitler and the Nazis.
What's the point?
Atlant Schmidt
3:14 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
If you'd like to go forwards, you put the car in "D".
If you'd like to go backwards, you put the car in "R".
It's the same with American politics.
NHPeter
4:54 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
"Forward?" Does that mean Lynch moved it backwards?