John's Beliefs

Health Insurance

In my last election, I promised to pass an HMO's grievance procedures law. This past year, my legislation HB640, in which I was the sole sponsor, was signed into law and is known as the "HMO Accountability Act". Although many people worked on this legislation, it's passing was mostly do to my efforts, and the hard work of my committee members. As Chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee, which includes consumer protection over Banks & Insurance Companies.

I am in a key position to ensure NH citizens can acquire affordable Health Insurance. This past year, as a board member of NH Healthy Kids, I have worked as Chairman of the Adult Coverage Study, working on how to 'Broaden the Insurance' to include parents of Healthy Kids Insurance.

Banking

Because of my awareness with problems consumers have with credit bureau's, I sponsored 'Identity Fraud' Legislation. The law protects all NH citizens from someone stealing their identity and ruining their credit history.

In Our Town Of Rindge

The town of Rindge land exchange; Because of my leadership in the Legislature, I was able to have a late introduction and quick passage of a special bill for Rindge that legalized a road improvement by the town on land that had an easement.

Does NH Really Need An Income Tax?

Since the Claremont court decision, the Legislature has grappled with finding a long term solution to fund public education. I voted for (CACR26), which declares that it is the 'state's duty to assure an adequate education for all pupils in the state', because it placed the responsibility to solve the funding crisis squarely on the shoulders of the legislature, not the Supreme Court.

The statewide property tax that was passed last year was not an expansion to the property tax, but rather an equalized of that portion allocated to education. New Hampshire legislature also sent $220 million of new money back to the cities and towns. Because of this legislation, which I supported, 85% of the towns in New Hampshire actually saw a DECREASE in their property taxes. For example, Rindge's school taxes were lowered by 18% with a net effect on property taxes dropping by 12 1/2%.

New Hampshire does not need an income tax and I am opposed to it for several reasons: A 'Dedicated to Education' income tax, without a statewide property tax, would result in only 1/2 the money the school districts are now receiving from the state under the current statewide property tax law. A 4% income tax with generous personal deductions, (as supported by my opponent), will only generate 1/3 of the money necessary to fund public education.

• An Income Tax would actually HURT the elderly because not only does it maintain the current interest and dividends tax, it will also impose a tax on Capital Gains including, IRA's, Stocks, Senior's life Savings, the sale of a home.
• An Income Tax will also tax Pensions and Veteran's Benefits
• Young Families will inevitably be hurt by an Income Tax because it would cut into their Savings for both a down payment on their first home and/or for their child's College Education.
• The Income Tax would be devastating to the State's Economy. My opponent's plan would REMOVE our one unique economic engine and still continue to enforce the statewide property tax on Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses, hindering the CREATION of new jobs in New Hampshire.

Do we really want to make New Hampshire less attractive for new business and cause others to move out of state?

Finally, and most importantly, if the property tax is so unfair, then why do we continue to use it for education, town and county services? This question can be answered quite simply: CONTROL AND MONEY!

Our desire for "Local Control" of the schools and services requires the use of local tax revenue. Full state funding of education would lead to state (not local) control of the schools. We as a community want to make the decisions about our children's educations and their continued needs.

The property tax is not being REPEALED with the enactment of an Income Tax. Creating a new tax source does not change the need for the school districts to use property taxes to fund any shortfall from state sources. The property tax is still the number one source revenue for all schools in America.

Although some politicians have rejected the statewide property tax, every reasonable legislative funding solutions proposed this last legislative session including the statewide property tax in some form. Furthermore, Vermont (which already has an income and sales tax) just enacted a statewide property tax in the name of "Fairness". I believe a proper balance between current state revenues and the use of local and statewide property tax can be an equitable and constitutional way to fully fund education in New Hampshire.

I firmly believe that the income tax can not and will not replace the property tax but instead, will just become a new source of revenue to the state.