Stephen, Business Leaders Says State Must Change Anti-Business Environment Under Lynch to Grow Jobs
Press Release
John Stephen, Republican nominee for Governor, and business leaders from across New Hampshire today gathered for a press conference to call for change the state's anti-business environment under Governor Lynch.
"All across the state, I've heard from business owners who say that they simply don't have confidence in state government to help them grow here," Stephen said. "They are afraid of more tax increases, more regulation and the lack of a cooperative environment that has deteriorated under Governor Lynch. We need a leader who will help our economy grow and create new jobs. That's been the prime focus of my campaign and it will be my top priority as Governor."
Stephen pointed out the numerous groups that have New Hampshire poor ranking for doing business here. The Tax Foundation shows that the state has fallen from 36th to 50th for its business tax rate under John Lynch's term as Governor, and also 39th for unemployment tax rates. Forbes ranks the state 47th in terms of regulatory policies and 40th in terms of business costs. A recent University of Connecticut survey showed that New Hampshire ranks 49th for manufacturing costs.
"These numbers don't lie -- New Hampshire is no longer business friendly and it has gotten a lot worse under Governor Lynch's policies of tax, spend and regulate," Stephen added. "We are losing our competitive advantage when John Lynch signed a job-killing LLC income tax on small business, a massive increase in unemployment taxes and a 12% increase in the rooms and meals tax. As Governor, I'll cut the highest business tax rates in the nation and make government a partner with employers, not an obstacle."
Stephen and the business leaders took particular note of Lynch's comments that there was "no increase in the business taxes," despite the LLC, unemployment and rooms and meals tax hikes.
"The small business owners I speak to me are wondering how Governor Lynch can say that with a straight face and without his nose growing," Stephen remarked. "They know raised their taxes, hit them with tons of new regulations and made it harder for them to grow and add new jobs. It's time for change that will help our employers and New Hampshire's economy."
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