Chris Sununu in 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: Increase Rainy Day Fund to $100M; start Infrastructure Fund

Through good management practices and controlling wasteful spending, we are hopeful that by the end o the fiscal year we will have filled in the budget gaps we inherited and bring the balance back into the black.

Any surplus beyond increasing our Rainy Day Fund to a total of $100 million, will be placed in a newly created Infrastructure Revitalization Fund. And barring unexpected expenses, savings beyond those funds will be sent directly to our local communities.

Source: 2017 New Hampshire State of the State address Feb 9, 2017

On Corporations: New department of Business and Economic Affairs

We all know that our economy is improving, but I think we can all agree that it could be doing better--and we must do more to boost the opportunities of our workforce. I've traveled the state; I've talked to business owners. It is an indisputable fact that New Hampshire's workforce is a critical issue. With this in mind, I am moving our economic development division to a broader department--a new department of Business and Economic Affairs, where we can better coordinate ALL of our business-centric agencies;

We need to unleash the potential of our economy to spur job growth and provide better opportunities for both businesses and workers throughout the state.

In addition, there will be a Small Business Advocate as part of this department, whose emphasis will be to represent the interests of New Hampshire's small business owners before state agencies, ensuring the voice of New Hampshire's small business community is heard, loud and clear.

Source: 2017 New Hampshire State of the State address Feb 9, 2017

On Education: Increase operating budget $10M of Community College System

Our higher education system is a critical part of ensuring New Hampshire students have an opportunity to learn beyond their high school years and enter the New Hampshire workforce with real world skills. Too often, we think of post-secondary education in terms of institutions. That's old school thinking. My budget approaches post-secondary education in terms of students and outcomes.

The University and Community College Systems of New Hampshire are key to these effort and we will continue to make investments in our partnership. In doing so, my budget proposes a significant increase to the operating budget of the Community College System, which is doing a great job in providing a gateway to New Hampshire's workforce development.

My budget proposes $10 million in capital investment into community college infrastructure. Also, today I am proud to establish the Governor's Scholarship program, with $5 million to directly assist high school students to attend colleges in New Hampshire.

Source: 2017 New Hampshire State of the State address Feb 9, 2017

On Environment: Fund asbestos cleanup, and clean water infrastructure

Schools with health and safety issues in towns that might not be able to otherwise address things like asbestos, lead paint, or other critical safety issues and these are where our school building aid will be targeted and funded.

One of the other critical areas of public health and safety that this administration is making a priority is drinking water. There is no bigger public trust than every time we as citizens turn on that faucet. We trust that our government has done their job in ensuring clean water for us and our children.

New Hampshire has protected the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund. This fund of nearly $300 Million stands ready to be invested in vital infrastructure improvements across the state. Funds that can now be used in partnership with local communities to secure one of our most precious resources.

Source: 2017 New Hampshire State of the State address Feb 9, 2017

On Health Care: Push for a true accounting of our Medicaid program

Heath Care continues to be an area of critical need in our state--across the entire country, frankly. And where we have failed in the past, I am pushing for a true accounting of our Medicaid program, so we can reconcile estimated Medicaid payments to actual costs. And as we go forward, be sure that we won't wait two years to check in on them again.

This budget requires the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to make quarterly reports, not just to me, but to Legislative leadership about where we actually stand on our true costs so we can become a more nimble government that is responsive not just reactive. As governor, I won't make people wait until after an election to discover we may have a shortfall. We have to be transparent. We have to be honest with the people and honest with ourselves.

Source: 2017 New Hampshire State of the State address Feb 9, 2017

On Technology: Double infrastructure grants to towns for roads and bridges

Any surplus will be placed in a newly created Infrastructure Revitalization Fund. We have the opportunity to support their critical infrastructure needs. For years we have heard how the state cannot control local property taxes, but what we can do is use infrastructure grants to give our towns more financial flexibility and target key areas of need to our communities.

Specifically, we're going to double grants to towns for roads and bridges--a chronic deferred maintenance issue at the local level.

Source: 2017 New Hampshire State of the State address Feb 9, 2017

The above quotations are from 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Chris Sununu. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018