State of New Hampshire Archives: on Tax Reform


Bill O`Brien: Will fight tax increases & reduce fees wherever possible

As New Hampshire's Speaker of the House I led the fight to rein in wasteful government spending, I stopped any efforts to increase taxes, and I helped produce a budget which raised no fees. Because fees are just another form of taxes. I will fight tax increases which harm New Hampshire residents. I will work to reduce fees wherever possible and I will seek to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in federal government budgets and agencies.
Source: 2020 N.H. Senate campaign website BillObrien2020.com Dec 20, 2019

Steve Marchand: Oppose tax cuts for small number of large companies

After watching Chris Sununu prioritize right-wing positions on privatizing public education, weakening unions, discouraging voter turnout, failing to lead on LGBTQ equality, and pushing tax cuts for a small number of large companies at the expense of everybody else, it's more clear to me than ever that New Hampshire deserves a Governor who can make New Hampshire the best state in America to start a family and start a business.
Source: 2018 N.H. gubernatorial campaign website SteveMarchand.com May 2, 2017

Steve Marchand: No sales tax; no income tax; reduce property tax

Q: What about sales tax and income tax? Are you still against them?

Marchand: That is correct.

Q: Gov. Sununu prioritizes new businesses; do you?

Marchand: The policies Gov. Sununu has pursued to grow the economy, largely run 180 degrees from what the data tell us we should be doing if we actually want to create jobs and see economic growth. For example, Sununu and the Republican legislature want to cut the Business Profits Tax. Most new businesses lose money at the beginning. When we cut the Business Profits Tax, we downshift costs from the state level to the town level. If [instead] you focus on cutting the Business Enterprise Tax and local property taxes, you will be directly and positively impacting the segment of economy where 80% of net new job growth comes to fruition. The data tells me that focusing on the Business Enterprise Tax and on reducing local property taxes is the winning formula for tax reform that will lead to job creation and economic growth.

Source: N.H. Journal on 2018 New Hampshire gubernatorial race Apr 24, 2017

Colin Van Ostern: Reduce property taxes by funding schools at state level

Ease Pressure on Local Property Taxes by Fully Funding State Education Obligations: As Governor, Colin will fully fund the state's school funding formula to reduce pressure on local property taxes, ending the cap on fast-growing school districts and providing additional funds to every community to fully-fund all kindergarten students (currently funded at half the level of all other students).
Source: 2016 N.H. Gubernatorial campaign website VanOstern.com Aug 31, 2016

Derek Dextraze: Has no tax policy because no income tax in NH

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"

A:N/A in NH no income tax.

Source: Email interview: 2016 N.H. gubernatorial race by OnTheIssues Mar 14, 2016

Hillary Clinton: Single-payer care & free college will mean high taxes

CLINTON; Senator Sanders' commitment to really changing systems: free college, a single payer system for health, and it's been estimated we're looking at 18 to $20 trillion, about a 40 percent increase in the federal budget. I have looked at his plans for health care, and it really does transfer every bit of our health care system including private health care, to the states. I think we've got to be really thoughtful about how we're going to afford what he proposed.

SANDERS: Secretary Clinton is wrong. You know that the US per capita pays far more than other country. It is unfair simply to say how much more the program will cost without making sure that people know that we are doing away with cost of private insurance and that the middle class will be paying substantially less for health care on the single payer.

CLINTON: Your proposal is to go and send the health care system to the state. And my analysis is that you are going to get more taxes out of middle class families.

Source: 2015 ABC/WMUR Democratic primary debate in N.H. Dec 19, 2015

Hillary Clinton: Millionaires should pay 30% tax rate instead of 0%-10%

I want to make sure the wealthy pay their fair share, which they have not been doing. I want the Buffett Rule to be in effect, where millionaires have to pay 30 percent tax rates instead of 10 percent to nothing in some cases. I want to make sure we rein in the excessive use of political power to feather the nest and support the super wealthy. I also want to create jobs and I want to be a partner with the private sector. I'm particularly keen on creating jobs in small business.
Source: 2015 ABC/WMUR Democratic primary debate in N.H. Dec 19, 2015

Hillary Clinton: Pledge for no increase in middle tax taxes

Q: You said it's your goal not to raise taxes on families making under $200,000. Can you say that's a promise?

A: That is a pledge that I'm making. I don't think we should be imposing new big programs that are going to raise middle class families' taxes. We just heard that most families haven't had a wage increase since 2001 since the end of the last Clinton administration when incomes did go up for everybody. We've got to get back to where people can save money again.

Source: 2015 ABC/WMUR Democratic primary debate in N.H. Dec 19, 2015

Martin O`Malley: Tax capital gains the same as normal income

There's one entitlement we can no longer afford, and that is those earning more than a million dollars feel they're entitled to pay a lower tax rate on capital gains. If we were to raise the marginal rate to 45 percent for people earning more than a million dollars and if we tax capital gains the same we do earnings from hard work, you could generate $800 billion over the next ten years and that would do so much good for affordable college, debt-free college, investing in our cities.
Source: 2015 ABC/WMUR Democratic primary debate in N.H. Dec 19, 2015

Jon Lavoie: Flat percentage tax, same for rich and poor

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"?

A: I'd like lower taxes for everyone. But I believe in a flat percentage tax. No lower or higher percentages on the wealthy.

Source: Email interview for 2016 N.H. Governor race with OnTheIssues Oct 18, 2015

Maggie Hassan: NH can fund its priorities without a broad-based tax

As governor, Maggie will veto any sales or income tax. Maggie knows that NH's economy is based on the lack of a sales or income tax, and those taxes would hurt middle-class families & our economy. She knows that NH can fund its priorities without a broad based tax. In the worst economy since the Great Depression, Maggie worked with Gov. Lynch to cut state spending and balance the state budget--without instituting a sales or income tax. Maggie plans to approach budgeting with the same fiscal discipline.
Source: N.H. Governor 2012 campaign website, maggiehassan.com Nov 6, 2012

Kelly Ayotte: Wrong philosophy to raise taxes during difficult economy

Ayotte and Hodes show stark differences in their approach to taxes, business development and spending. Hodes believes the Bush tax cuts should be repealed for the wealthiest Americans, applying the influx of cash to the country's increasing deficit. " It is simply reckless. It's fiscally irresponsible to allow the tax breaks for the top 2%, where all the wealth has gone, while the middle class has been clobbered, to continue. That's $700 billion," said Hodes who argued an opposing strategy would double the deficit. "That's not fiscally conservative. That's not fiscally responsible," Hodes said.

Ayotte argued a repeal of the tax cuts amounts to a tax increase that would hurt the Granite State small businesses and cost $300 million. Ayotte argued it is simply the "wrong philosophy to raise taxes during difficult economic times" as she believes her opponent is trying to do."We're a small business state and these tax increases are going to hit our small business owners," said Ayotte.

Source: Fox News coverage of 2010 N.H. Senate debate Sep 23, 2010

Kelly Ayotte: Keep zero federal estate tax; don't return to 50%

Ayotte would keep the zero federal tax on estates that will jump back up to more than 50 percent if Congress doesn't extend that Bush tax cut.

Hodes instead wants to exempt from the tax $5 million for an individual and up to $10 million for families with a 35 percent tax applied to estate income above those caps.

Source: Nashua Telegraph coverage of 2010 N.H. Senate debate Sep 23, 2010

Paul Hodes: Fiscally irresponsible to allow tax breaks for the top 2%

Ayotte and Hodes show stark differences in their approach to taxes, business development and spending. Hodes believes the Bush tax cuts should be repealed for the wealthiest Americans, applying the influx of cash to the country's increasing deficit. " It is simply reckless. It's fiscally irresponsible to allow the tax breaks for the top 2%, where all the wealth has gone, while the middle class has been clobbered, to continue. That's $700 billion," said Hodes who argued an opposing strategy would double the deficit. "That's not fiscally conservative. That's not fiscally responsible," Hodes said.

Ayotte argued a repeal of the tax cuts amounts to a tax increase that would hurt the Granite State small businesses and cost $300 million. Ayotte argued it is simply the "wrong philosophy to raise taxes during difficult economic times" as she believes her opponent is trying to do."We're a small business state and these tax increases are going to hit our small business owners," said Ayotte.

Source: Fox News coverage of 2010 N.H. Senate debate Sep 23, 2010

Paul Hodes: Irresponsible to give $700B in tax cuts to wealthiest 2%

Ayotte favors extension of all Bush tax cuts while Hodes agrees with Pres. Obama that the tax cuts should end for those making more than $200,000 a year. "It's the wrong philosophy to raise taxes during these difficult, economic times and that's what he would like to do," Ayotte said of Hodes.

Hodes said keeping tax cuts for the wealthiest would add $700 billion and nearly double the federal deficit. "It is simply reckless and fiscally irresponsible to allow the tax cuts to go on to the top 2%," he shot back.

Ayotte warned that repealing tax cuts for the wealthy would cost individuals and small-business owners in the state $300 million a year.

Hodes has proposed to end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, and he accused Ayotte of opposing them by signing a no-tax increase pledge from Americans for Tax Reform. "My opponent, she believes that tax cuts for shipping jobs overseas will create jobs," Hodes said.

Ayotte declared, "What I have said is no tax increases on any business."

Source: Nashua Telegraph coverage of 2010 N.H. Senate debate Sep 23, 2010

Paul Hodes: Estate tax of 35% after first $5 million

Ayotte would keep the zero federal tax on estates that will jump back up to more than 50 percent if Congress doesn't extend that Bush tax cut.

Hodes instead wants to exempt from the tax $5 million for an individual and up to $10 million for families with a 35 percent tax applied to estate income above those caps.

Source: Nashua Telegraph coverage of 2010 N.H. Senate debate Sep 23, 2010

John Lynch: I will veto any income or sales tax

I am proud that we eliminated a major budget deficit without new taxes, and even put $50 million in the state’s Rainy Day Fund. I will veto any income or sales tax.
Source: 2006 N.H. Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 7, 2006

  • The above quotations are from State of New Hampshire Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Tax Reform.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021