Tagged: John Lynch

Sen. John Gallus,  a Republican from Berlin who represents the North Country, was among those voting last week not to override Gov. Lynch’s veto of so-called payday loans.

As NHPR reported “The measure would have lifted the current 36% interest rate cap on small loans. In place of that cap, Senator Matt Houde told colleagues companies could charge borrowers up to 403% interest.

“Lenders could charge consumers over $1100 to repay a $500 loan, over a 6 month term. I will let that speak for itself.”

The New Hampshire Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to give the state more leeway in how it distributes school aid. 

The amendment would make it easier for lawmakers to target money to poorer communities but not explicitly undue the Claremont rulings that require the state to fund an adequate education for every child. After the vote Governor Lynch described the proposal as “a significant milestone.”

“The milestone being that it has passed the state Senate, and that it is an amendment endorsed by the governor, by me. And now we are all going to work together to talk with our colleges in the house about the importance of the goals that we are trying to achieve.”

Governor John Lynch used his final state of the state address to ask GOP lawmakers change the tone in Concord, and to reverse course on cuts to higher education and a reduction to the state tobacco tax. 

 Drawing sharp lines has never been Governor Lynch’s style, but in this speech, Lynch did, repeatedly.

“The cut in the tobacco tax was nonsensical……”

 “We hear from some a lot of anti-government talk, but to me that doesn’t make any sense,

 Sadly, it has become too commonplace to attack state employees, and that needs to stop.”

 Lynch also laid down markers on major topics. He wants to take another crack at passing a constitutional amendment to make it easier to target school aid. But expanded gambling? Not on his watch.

Today marked Governor John Lynch's last State of the State address. And, as one might expect during a slow trudge toward recovery, the bulk of Lynch focused either directly or indirectly on the economy.

Gov. John Lynch gives his final state of the state address to the House and Senate. Read the transcript of the  live tweets from the Statehouse below:

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That's all for our live coverage! Check with NHPR and NHPR.orgthis afternoon for more coverage and analysis. #nhsots

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