Colin Van Ostern in 2016 NH Governor's race
On Families & Children:
Include respite care for family caregivers
Q: What would you do to improve access to respite care so that more family caregivers can take a break from their caregiving duties and continue their caregiving responsibilities?Colin Van Ostern: I understand how important it is for a family member
who is providing care to be able to take a break and be confident that their loved one is properly being cared for. It's essential for enabling seniors to stay in their homes and out of nursing homes. I support New Hampshire's policy of including
respite care as a covered benefit under Medicaid and would oppose any attempts by the legislature to eliminate funding for respite care. We must also look at potential opportunities for tax relief and deductions for those serving as caregivers.
Chris Sununu: I believe increases in home-care funding ultimately lowers the cost of care. Family caregivers should have access to funding, for seniors who may prefer a family member's caregiving.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Social Security:
Focus on good jobs so people can save for retirement
Q: What would you do to reverse the trend of under saving for retirement?Colin Van Ostern: The most effective thing a governor can do to enhance retirement security is to help businesses thrive and create good jobs so that people are in a position
to save for their retirement. As a state, we must always be looking for opportunities to assist our residents in saving for retirement. As governor I will strengthen job training programs so our people have the skills they need to get a good job; invest
in infrastructure which creates construction jobs and the means for goods and services to be transported; and reduce college loan debt so that young workers can start saving for their retirement earlier.
Christopher T. Sununu: In order to encourage
more saving, we need to provide financial flexibility through new and innovative programs that will boost & encourage savings. Furthermore, it is critical that we ensure Social Security's solvency, now and into the future.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Health Care:
Worked to expand Medicaid
[Delivering his victory speech]: "Together, we will take this next step forward for New Hampshire by bringing and keeping more young people, young families, new businesses and start-ups in our state,"
Van Ostern said in prepared remarks. "We'll build an economy that works for everyone.""I want to congratulate Colin Van Ostern on a great victory tonight," said the
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair. "Colin has a record of accomplishment and the vision to keep New Hampshire moving forward. His work to restore funding for
Planned Parenthood, to expand Medicaid, to invest in renewable energy projects and to deliver debt-free college make him an exceptional and strong candidate."
Source: Union-Leader on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial debate
Sep 13, 2016
On Immigration:
Make sure new immigrants learn English & civics
The Democratic [debate] featured Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern and Mark Connolly, former director of the state bureau of securities regulation.
Both said they disagreed with Hassan's call to freeze immigration of Syrian refugees to the state.
And in contrast to the Republican debate, both called immigration key to the state's economic growth. Asked whether the state should prevent so-called sanctuary cities,
Van Ostern said the state should focus on making sure new immigrants can learn English, take civics classes and gain job skills. "We should focus on what we can actually do right here in New Hampshire."
Source: The Herald on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial debate
Sep 6, 2016
On Drugs:
Legalize medical marijuana for chronic pain
On medical marijuana: "Colin will work with legislators to ensure that the state's recently-implemented medical cannabis program doesn't restrict medically-sound usage for chronic pain conditions that are safely treated by the drug.
He will support legislation that would allow New Hampshire to join every other New England state in decriminalization."
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2016
On Education:
Universal full-day kindergarten; more PACE; more local aid
Colin will work with educators and state and local school boards to lift the restriction that is preventing more school districts from launching PACE pilot programs. This would reduce our reliance on standardized tests while
maintaining appropriate learning standards for kids at every grade.Fully funding universal full-day kindergarten will improve our schools while also helping more working parents fully participate in the workforce.
New Hampshire cannot afford to refuse fast-growing school districts a proportional increase in state funding for their students, as has happened in recent years.
Additionally, the state should consider how to reinstitute a more sustainable building aid program to support local building construction projects that are in clear need.
Source: Ballotpedia.org on 2016 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2016
On Abortion:
Restore funding for Planned Parenthood
On the state Executive Council, Colin led the fight to successfully restore funding for preventive care like birth control, cancer screenings, and annual exams at New Hampshire's
Planned Parenthood health centers after they were defunded in 2011, and he has vowed to work tirelessly against recent political cuts. In 2015, he was named the state "Champion for Choice" by NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire.
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Budget & Economy:
Fiscally responsible budget: no improperly-sourced contracts
In 2012, Colin was publicly elected to the state Executive Council (a board of directors of sorts for the state's executive branch) where he represents a quarter-million New Hampshire citizens and is a member of the Democratic party.
Colin has worked to ensure a fiscally responsible budget by identifying opportunities to save millions in state construction projects and improperly-sourced contracts, and he has served as a senior adviser to several elected officials.
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Drugs:
Health Protection Plan for addiction treatment services
On the state Executive Council, Colin cast the deciding vote to bring health care coverage to nearly 44,000 New Hampshire citizens --
including addiction treatment services to thousands --by implementing the bipartisan New Hampshire Health Protection Plan (sometimes called Medicaid Expansion).
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Education:
College for America: students into workforce with no debt
Education innovator & anti-student debt champion: In 2013, Colin helped launch College for America at Southern New Hampshire University --
a nonprofit, fully-accredited college that helps frontline, working adults achieve a college education with little or no debt.
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Education:
College for America: students into workforce with no debt
Education innovator & anti-student debt champion: In 2013, Colin helped launch College for America at Southern New Hampshire University --
a nonprofit, fully-accredited college that helps frontline, working adults achieve a college education with little or no debt.
The school has enrolled thousands of students --the vast majority taking on zero debt at all --and has partnered with more than 65 employers ranging from local nonprofits to Fortune 50 companies to strengthen their workforce.
Colin has also advocated for broader public policy solutions to the crushing burden of student debt and worked with grassroots organizations to bring national attention to the need for solutions.
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Energy & Oil:
Expand solar energy by hike in renewable 'net metering' cap
Van Ostern calls for hike in renewable 'net metering' cap. A Democrat running for governor called to quickly raise and possibly eliminate the limit on how much renewable power consumers can sell back to the state's utilities: "Solar energy projects in
New Hampshire are critical for growing good jobs, boosting our clean tech economy, limiting future energy costs, and protecting our state's beautiful environment and unique quality of life," Van Ostern said in a statement.
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Health Care:
Medicaid Expansion brought coverage to 44,000 N.H. citizens
On the state Executive Council, Colin cast the deciding vote to bring health care coverage to nearly 44,000 New Hampshire citizens --
including addiction treatment services to thousands --by implementing the bipartisan New Hampshire Health Protection Plan (sometimes called Medicaid Expansion).
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Technology:
Bring passenger rail from Boston to central N.H.
Colin has been an outspoken proponent of bringing passenger rail from Boston to central New Hampshire; he championed numerous state renewable energy projects, and he helped end the Fairpoint strike --
the longest labor strike in the country in 2014 --by insisting on better consumer service before the state would continue business with the company.
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Technology:
Build commuter rail line between Manchester and Boston
Two Executive Councilors are outlining a proposal they say could fund passenger rail service between Manchester and Boston. To cover construction costs, NH would step up efforts to win federal transportation grants, rely on Massachusetts to cover some
infrastructure costs, and turn to private companies to develop four rail stations.Colin Van Ostern and Chris Pappas say their plan addresses concerns a rail service would be too expensive, by keeping the state's share of operating costs under
$5 million a year. The Capitol Corridor study estimated an annual state price tag of about $10 million. Cities and towns along the route would also contribute, potentially by using some of the economic benefits generated by the rail line to pay back some
of the capital costs.
"The reality is finding less than $5 million a year for something that will cause such opportunity for economic growth is both possible & achievable," Van Ostern says. "We think that's an important part of the conversation."
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com
Jul 20, 2016
On Abortion:
Restore Planned Parenthood funding; they had no wrongdoing
For six months, New Hampshire women and families have been deprived of critical funding for basic medical care; care that was budgeted for by legislators but denied when the Executive Council voted 3-2 in August to end contracts for Planned Parenthood
health centers. To be clear:- Five different congressional investigations uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood.
- Ten states have concluded state investigations by clearing Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing.
- Eight other
states, including New Hampshire, found no evidence worthy of even an investigation.
The questions raised in the previous vote against these funds have been resolved, but the denial of funds by the council continues to adversely impact public health
and the lives of thousands of Granite Staters. It's time to move forward together by setting aside political considerations and doing what is right for the roughly 13,000 New Hampshire women and families who relied on this care last year.
Source: Portsmouth Herald OpEd on 2016 New Hampshire governor race
Jan 30, 2016
Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018