Stephen Calls on Lynch to Stand Up Against Dem Tax Hikes

This morning, John Stephen’s campaign for Governor issued the following statement calling on Gov. Lynch to stand up against proposed Democrat tax hikes.

Stephen Calls On Lynch To Stand Against Job Killing Tax Hikes

Says Governor must issue veto threat against capital gains, death tax proposal

MANCHESTER, NH- John Stephen, Republican candidate for Governor, today called on Governor Lynch to demand that House budget writers drop plans to add an income tax on capital gains, an estate tax or an increase in the insurance tax or face a veto of any legislation that includes these taxes. Yesterday, the Ways and Means Committee voted to add these taxes to legislation that already included Lynch’s 20 cent per pack increase in the cigarette tax, and expanded that tax increase to include other forms of tobacco, such as cigars.

“The stakes are so high for our economy that being ‘concerned’ is simply not going to cut it,” Stephen said. “The ramifications of adding an income tax on capital gains and a death tax would have a devastating effect on our economy at a time when employers are struggling to get back on their feet and create jobs after over 40 tax and fee increases from John Lynch’s last budget. This tax plan is a recipe for higher unemployment, lower wages and sending more people out of New Hampshire. Governor Lynch needs to take a stand, be a leader, and tell the legislature that he will veto these job-killing taxes the second they come to his desk.”

Stephen called on the legislature to balance its budget through spending reductions. He said that the legislature should reject all new taxes, including Lynch’s cigarette tax increase, the fifth in six years.

“Governor Lynch’s cigarette tax hike will have a serious impact on the many border communities across New Hampshire that rely on out-of-state customers for their business,” Stephen added. “This tax undercuts the New Hampshire Advantage and means fewer jobs with the retail stores in these cities and towns. Hurting employers and costing the state jobs isn’t leadership, and Governor Lynch needs to come up with a new plan that balances the budget without more job-killing taxes.”