In State of the State, Lynch Maps Out Road to Future

Editor's Note: This story has been updated with video clips and the House GOP leaders' response below.

In his last State of the State address, Gov. , D-Hopkinton, laid the foundation for what he would like to work on during the next year: Better funding for education, finishing up the widening of I-93, and prioritizing and shifting tax revenues to improve economic development.

Lynch praised the people of the state and called New Hampshire “the greatest state, in the greatest country, in the world,” to a standing ovation. He called residents “strong, resilient and caring,” but added that “the true strength of our state lies behind these doors.”

Lynch noted that for the fourth year in a row, New Hampshire was named the best state in the country to raise a child. But he said there is more work to be done.

“New Hampshire has a strategy that is working, let’s not mess it up,” he said.

Manufacturing is still the heartbeat of the economy, Lynch noted, saying that the state was partnering with companies to divert laid-off employees into other jobs and re-train unemployed workers for the jobs of tomorrow.

Lynch said he was proud of the work the state had made in improving noting that New Hampshire had one of the lowest dropout rate, 1.16 percent. He said the state had increased funding for public schools, new facilities, and now, kindergarten was available in every community in the Granite State.

However, Lynch raised concerns about funding issues, such as cuts to higher education and court rulings surrounding K-12 funding. He said he would support a constitutional amendment to fix funding problems but would oppose any amendment that would abandon the state’s responsibility to educate children. Lynch’s remarks on education led many Republican representatives to sit quietly in their seats while others in Representatives Hall cheered. The split was also seen during his remarks concerning gun legislation and remarks concerning attacks on public employees.

“Government, after all, is all of us, the people of New Hampshire,” Lynch said. “I will never take away their right to organize.”

Lynch said he would work to “improve government” not attack government, calling on all to commend first responders and .

Lynch proposed re-raising the 10-cent while doubling the research and development tax credit. He also called on restoring highway funds and widening I-93.

Lynch also came out against saying he would veto any legislation on the matter. He also said while he supported renewable energy, supporters of the needed to take more time to listen to the citizens of New Hampshire. He said it should be a local project, with local support. Lynch also said he would not support eminent domain for Northern Pass.

UPDATE 1: Here are video clips from Gov. John Lynch's address:

UPDATE 2: Here is the response from GOP leaders in the New Hampshire House: