Concord Businesses Hear from Lynch [VIDEO]

Gov. , D-Hopkinton, met with Concord business leaders on Feb. 2, offering a slightly more pointed view of the as compared to his previous speech to the full Statehouse on Jan. 31.

Not unlike the previous speech, Lynch praised the Granite State as a caring place, highlighted successes of his administration, and commended public employees. He also spoke a lot about education, expanding opportunities, fixing the state’s funding problems, and constructing more school buildings, with a fairer split to communities that were property-tax-poor. Lynch also spoke about expanded economic development, productive job training programs, and focusing on the “good strategy” the state had in keeping taxes low and being fiscal responsibility.

But at other times, Lynch strayed from the script, and criticized the Republican-controlled House and Senate for cutting cigarette taxes, creating an uncivil environment at the Statehouse, while claiming they created a budget that was $14 million in deficit. He was critical of putting money in the rainy day fund before balancing the budget, suggesting ratings agencies looked at that as a lending criteria.

Lynch was also critical of the Legislature cutting higher education in New Hampshire in half during the last budget cycle. He said it would hurt business, during the long-term.

“Education drives jobs,” he said. “I think it is something that is shortsighted. Our public education system is a jewel … we need to make higher education a priority in New Hampshire.”

Lynch was also critical about the lack of funding for the widening of I-93 and a Republican attempt to derail the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority, saying it was an integral part of future transportation strategies.

“I think, some day, I’d like to see rail come up here to Concord,” he said, “It’s probably not going to happen in our lifetime, but it would be great to be able to get on a train and get to Fenway Park.”

Local business people in Concord commended the governor and liked what he had to say.

of , one of the sponsors of the luncheon, said it was a good opportunity for business people to not only hear the governor’s overall comments about the state of the state, but to get a little one-on-one time with him too.

“It’s really a civic responsibility and opportunity for us,” he said. “To have the chief executive officer of the state capitol here, to talk to the business community, is very important, and it’s important for the communication to go both ways.”

Champlin said Granite Staters were also lucky to have such an accessible governor who was willing to talk to people. He also said it was interesting that Lynch was still thinking about the future instead of reminiscing about the past.

“Instead of being retrospective, he’s really being prospective,” he said. “And looking at what still needs to be done and that’s a good thing to hear. He’s definitely fully engaged and probably will be for the rest of his term.”

John Tousignant of Partnership Frontiers LLC, said the talk was “an excellent overview of what New Hampshire has to offer” and he liked hearing the governor’s focus on education.

“The need for us to continue to stay focused on having an educated population is important,” he said. “We have it today, but we need to have it 20 or 30 years from now, too. If we let our guard down, we certainly won’t have that advantage and I think we’ll see it in the quality of life, overall, in the state.”

Tousignant advises clients on strategic planning, management, and green construction opportunities, and often does work with people in both the United States and Canada. He said good transportation infrastructure was another key to a prosperous future for New Hampshire, and the governor seemed focused on those ideals. Tousignant said he hasn’t heard many complaints about the current transportation opportunities since most businesses he talks to are drawn to the state for its “favorable economic climate for business makes it a desirable place for exporting and business partnerships.”