Stephen Signs Property Protection Pledge; Blasts Lynch's Ongoing Efforts To Raid Doctors' Money

Press Release

John Stephen, Republican nominee for Governor, today signed the Property Protection Pledge at a press conference in Concord. The event showcased the importance of stopping government from illegally taking private property and, in particular, the attempt by Governor Lynch to raid $110 million from the Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) that Lynch included in the current budget. Subsequently, both state Superior and Supreme Court have blocked the state from the funds as unconstitutional.

"The only reason why most citizens even know the name "JUA' is because of the out-of-control overspending by Governor Lynch," Stephen said. "When Governor Lynch was putting his budget together, despite all the new tax and fee increases, all the accounting gimmicks to hide money and all the federal stimulus money pouring in, he still wanted to spend more. So, he went looking for any money lying around that he could find in order to avoid doing the one thing that he refuses to do -- make the tough decisions to balance the state budget."

Stephen joined medical professionals, attorney for the plaintiffs who sued to stop the raid and State Senators and Senate candidates for the event. The legislative Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules is currently reviewing rules to move the JUA fund into the Insurance Department, where the Lynch administration could then take the funds.

"In the worst recession of our time, the Governor decided to go after the private property of hard working medical professionals across the state," Stephen added. "After being blocked by the state Supreme Court from trying to raid these funds, Governor Lynch is still trying to take it away from its rightful owners. This is in defiance of our principles of justice, in defiance of any respect for property rights and in defiance of the common sense of decency for how government should operate. At best, this is as irresponsible as the type of behavior we see in Washington today. At worst, it's theft from the hard working doctors and nurses of the state."

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