On the day after her inauguration, Governor Hassan reflected on the importance of the task that is before her, and she gives some thoughts on where New Hampshire needs to go in the future. She hopes that the Granite State can move forward with bipartisan approaches to a number of issues–budget, taxes, transportation, and health care. One important goal is to balance the budget while not increasing taxes and avoiding an income tax or sales tax. A second goal is to develop a modern and solid transportation infrastructure. The governor is encouraged that over 30,000 people have signed up for the New Hampshire Health Protection Program. She feels that this improved health care coverage is an important building block for New Hampshire’s economy. When she was asked about ways to improve the business climate in the state, Governor Hassan pointed out, that according to the Tax Foundation, New Hampshire has the seventh best tax environment for businesses and is #1 in this region. The Granite State’s low tax environment is an important attraction to potential new businesses. Another important factor in attracting businesses to our state will be education. For this reason, the governor wants to focus making higher education more affordable by freezing tuition at the state universities and lowering them at the community colleges. Hassan also believes that we need to modernize and improve the way that we teach STEMS–Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. A task force has come up with recommendations for how to improve this necessary part of 21st century training for 2st century jobs. She is also aware that these workers of the present and future will also need to communicate well with coworkers and customers, be capable team-workers, and while thinking outside the box. Life skills are also part of the educational equation too–physical education and the arts.
Governor Hassan spoke about a commuter rail program. She sees this as an extension of her regional approach to economic problems. She believes that rail transportation would allow workers from Massachusetts to commute to businesses in Manchester or young people in Concord to go to Boston on a Saturday night without the hassle of driving. Improved public transportation would help to improve the quality of life in New Hampshire.
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