CONCORD — Gov. Chris Sununu devoted more of his final State of the State address Thursday to what he has done in the past seven years than what he intends to do in his last year in office.
During a 29-minute speech, Sununu heaped praise on both parties in the Legislature for approving proposals that improved mental health and substance abuse treatment and expanded access to affordable housing and aid to education.
Sununu praised department heads who helped the state achieve high ranks in areas ranging from corrections and cybersecurity to low unemployment.
“Next year, there will be a new governor, a new Legislature, and new challenges to address, but we are so much better off when we all work together, and it is up to each of you that returns next year to bring the same level of energy, cooperativeness, and bipartisanship that has helped us achieve so much together,” Sununu said.
“New Hampshire has set the gold standard. Now I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, so let’s keep getting it done!”
Sununu mentioned only two items he will seek approval for in 2024, one to allow more wealthy families to obtain taxpayer-supported Education Freedom Accounts and the other to use $850,000 in state funds to send a New Hampshire National Guard unit to help Texas secure the southern border.
“Families are singing the praises of Concord for finally passing Education Freedom Accounts, which are now ranked as the most effective and popular school choice program in America — and why passing HB 1665 to expand this program is a great opportunity for NH families,” Sununu said.
Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed, 190-189, a bill that would change eligibility criteria for the taxpayer-supported education grant program to allow a family of four making 500% of the federal poverty level — $150,000 a year — to use the grants for private, religious, alternative public school or home school education of their children.
The current limit is 350% of the federal poverty level — $109,000 for a family of four.
On Friday, the Legislative Fiscal Committee is expected to approve Sununu’s request to deploy a 15-person Guard unit to work under the state of Texas’ National Guard direction for the next 90 days.
Last year nearly 200 Guard troops from New Hampshire worked at the Texas border with Mexico.
On both issues, Republican legislators got up off their seats and loudly applauded Sununu’s initiatives. Every Democrat in the House and Senate stayed seated.
Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy of Manchester maintained the state was not better off on several fronts than when Sununu first took office in November 2016.
“Unfortunately, though, the governor’s years in office have proven to be costly for hardworking Granite Staters. Since his first inauguration in 2017, key indicators on education, housing costs, energy prices, business environment, and quality of life have all declined,” Soucy said.
“Further, it is curious that today, the governor cited his greatest accomplishment was the passage of a bipartisan budget, when in reality it was the Legislature who crafted, developed, and ultimately passed that budget.”
Fighting for credit
In the address, Sununu referred to New Hampshire as ranking No. 1 among states for economic freedom, child well-being and return on taxpayers’ investment.
“2023 was a banner year for New Hampshire We advanced freedom, increased opportunity, grew our economy and put families first,” Sununu said.
Sununu, 48, began by joking that he might just try to make history and seek a fifth two-year term.
“I was reminded earlier this week that this is my final State of the State address. Although the filing period to run again isn’t until June, so you never know. Just kidding.
”Councilor Warmington almost just fell out of her chair over there,” Sununu quipped.
Two-term Councilor Cinde Warmington, D-Concord is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor against ex-Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.
Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley said Sununu can’t claim credit for much of what the state has accomplished.
“Throughout his speech, Sununu lied about his record while taking credit for accomplishments by the Biden-Harris administration, New Hampshire’s all-Democratic federal delegation, and Democrats across the state,” Buckley said.
For her part, Warmington said Sununu underestimated problems that the next governor will face on education, child care, housing and abortion rights.
“The governor claimed that the state of our state is strong. It may be for some, but too many Granite Staters have been left out and left behind,” Warmington said.
“We are all fortunate to live in this great state, but there are real challenges that have been neglected for far too long and must be solved.”
House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn, said Sununu set the right, optimistic tone and established a record that should help the GOP hold onto its majorities in the Legislature and replace him with another Republican in the corner office.
“As the governor said, we cannot take our successes for granted,” Osborne said.
“We must continue to fight for our ‘Live Free or Die’ principles, stick to our campaign promises and ensure taxpayer money stays where it belongs: peoples’ pockets.”
