That starts with advancing the priorities that support innovative economic growth and help businesses create good jobs, the kind of jobs that will strengthen and grow our middle class.
To build an even stronger workforce, we must keep more of our young people here in New Hampshire. We took an important step in that effort working together through the budget. We restored higher education funding and made it possible for our universities and community colleges to freeze in-state tuition.
With bipartisan support, we increased funding for travel and tourism promotion, we put in place our first permanent director of economic development since 2008, we modernized our corporations act, and we doubled and made permanent our research and development tax credit.
Senator Larsen has introduced legislation that will improve the financial security of working families by helping all of our workers access appropriate resources to help them earn a fair and equal paycheck, without fear of retaliation. I ask the legislature to strengthen our economy and our middle class by passing the Paycheck Fairness Act.
The evidence suggests that legalizing marijuana will increase the number of minors who use this drug, will make our workforce less productive and our roads less safe, and will undermine public health.
However, we do need to thoughtfully consider our current policies toward substance abuse to refocus on treatment. I do not believe that a young person with a substance problem should end up in jail, prison or with a criminal record on their first offense. That is why I would support a comprehensive review of our criminal code and our sentences to consider alternative options that will focus on treatment first.
For New Hampshire's economy to keep moving forward, we need to continue supporting common-sense measures that will help our businesses compete and thrive.
I understand that some oppose changes to this system because they have concerns about the impact on 2nd amendment rights, and some because they fear such changes would stigmatize those with mental illness.
Senator Watters has led efforts to address this challenge in a thoughtful way, leading toward a measure to study the issue and make recommendations for further legislation. I encourage both the Senate and House to pass this bill, and I encourage those who have initially opposed the measure to be willing to re-evaluate their positions and to help find a way through this issue, together.
The spirit of our people is also exemplified by the ongoing service and sacrifice of all of our active duty servicemen and women, and our veterans who have made our nation strong. Thank you for your unyielding dedication to our freedom.
I know that during this debate last year, some members of the House expressed concerns about the state's ability to effectively regulate a casino. Responding to these concerns, the Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority brought in experts from across the country. For months, they worked hard to develop thoughtful recommendations for how to best oversee and move forward with one highly regulated destination casino in New Hampshire.
Instead of funding Massachusetts' needs, let's take this opportunity to invest in New Hampshire's priorities and help grow New Hampshire's economy.
But what matters--to our economy, to our businesses, to the people of our state--is what we do after we argue. Building on our progress and accelerating our economic recovery will require us to set aside preconceived notions. We will need to be rigorous in examining our own long-held positions. We will have to work to identify our common ground--and then seize upon it.
I like to say that, in New Hampshire, we do democracy better than anyplace else. In the past year, we have proven this to be true despite our status as one of the few states with a legislature split between the parties.
Unlike Washington, we have shown time and again that we are capable of engaging with each other, putting arguments aside and coming together to solve problems, leading to progress for our businesses and families.
My husband Tom has seen the same spirit at the Tillotson Center in Colebrook, at the Claremont Soup Kitchen, at the New Hampshire Veterans Home, and in every county in the state through his "Help Out New Hampshire" volunteerism tour.
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The above quotations are from 2014 Governor's State of the State speeches.
Click here for other excerpts from 2014 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Maggie Hassan. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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