NH gubernatorial candidates consider 4-day week
CONCORD, N.H.—New Hampshire's gubernatorial candidates would consider authorizing a four-day work week and telecommuting for state workers to save energy costs.
But Democrats John Lynch and Katy Forry and Republican Joseph Kenney would not support a blanket telecommuting policy for all.
"The duty of state government is to serve and protect people. Our first job is making sure we are serving the public and are available to the public," Lynch said in response to an Associated Press survey on candidates' spending priorities. "The state director of personnel is currently reviewing telecommuting policies with that goal in mind, and we would consider any proposals for a four-day week in the same vein."
Forry agrees telecommuting might be a way to cut the state's energy costs "but supervising such an arrangement would take a special level of skills (and) development of standards to avoid abuse of such a system."
Kenney would want formal rules established for each agency on teleconferencing as a standard method of operation. Some meetings could be held using video conferencing, he said.
Like Lynch and Forry, he would not leave state agencies unstaffed.
"We must be careful which services we are doing this with and not lose the personal touch for our citizens," he added.
Some agencies began using answering machines to make up for staff reductions during past efforts to trim state costs.
Lynch, 55, of Hopkinton is seeking his third term as governor. Forry, 68, of Jaffrey is challenging him in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary. Kenney, 48, of Wakefield served three terms in the state Senate and four in the House. He faces no opposition in the GOP primary.
All three also pledge to reduce state energy use.
Lynch said he already is taking steps and pointed to his executive order directing state agencies to reduce energy use, to buy more energy efficient vehicles and supplies and to build and renovate buildings so energy is conserved.
Kenney said he would have agencies conduct internal energy audits and adopt strict conservation policies, such as turning out unnecessary lights. He also said it might be cheaper to replace some state vehicles and equipment with more efficient models.
Forry suggested heating buildings with geothermal, wind and solar power. Kenney also said alternative power sources should be considered in new buildings.
Lynch and Kenney are on opposite sides on the regional greenhouse gas initiative -- known as RGGI. Lynch signed it into law this spring; Kenney would repeal it.
The law added New Hampshire to the other New England states, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland in a market-based, "cap and trade" program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the region's power plants.
Lynch believes joining RGGI will allow New Hampshire to cut the emissions that contribute to global climate change, increase energy efficiency and ultimately help consumers save on energy costs.
Kenney agrees with critics who believe RGGI will increase energy costs for consumers and the state because electric users will pay for broad efficiency measures not directly related to electric production, such as more efficient fuel oil furnaces.
On taxes, Lynch and Kenney pledge to veto a general sales or personal income tax. Forry believes New Hampshire should enact an income tax to relieve the burden property taxpayers shoulder for education.
"It might later be in the form of an amendment to our constitution and specify that all money from this tax is to go toward public education and replacing at least half of the residential property tax dollars that go toward supporting public schools," Forry said.
Forry also supports doubling the penalty landowners pay when they take property out of current use, with the proceeds from the increase going to the state.
Kenney said he does not support any increases in existing taxes or imposing new ones.
"I support administrative fees as far as it goes to cover the costs of the existing program," he added.
Lynch did not say if he would support tax increases or new taxes, but agreed with Kenney that some fee increases are appropriate.
"Fees are appropriate for special services, but should be kept at the minimum necessary to provide the services," Lynch said.
Asked which agencies should get top priority for funding, the three generally agreed social services are near the top. Kenney said cultural resources ranked near the bottom of his priorities. Forry and Lynch did not specify agencies lowest on their lists.
Lynch and Kenney also said they would try to avoid layoffs if the economy dictates a need for budget cuts next year. Both said they would first try to save money by making government more efficient. Kenney said he would consider reducing the number of outside consultants hired. Lynch pointed to the merger of state police and the highway patrol as an example of efficiency measures taken under his administration.
"Layoffs would be a last resort," said Kenney.
As to new spending, Forry said she would build a new women's prison and make improvements at the Veterans Home in Tilton. A retired teacher, she also would spend money on dropout prevention, tobacco education and better access to buildings for the physically disabled.
Lynch listed no new spending initiatives, but said he would focus on maintaining or expanding the programs demanding little or no state money. As an example, he gave insuring children under a federal-state program with a 3-1 federal match for state dollars.
Kenney, a lieutenant colonel in the Marine reserves, also said he supports improvements at the Veterans Home and would consider building a new women's prison if that was more cost efficient than continuing to lease space. He also would sell state property to pay for capital projects.
Kenney said he would only support new or expanded programs that produced state revenue.
"This is not the time for a new program nor is it the time to expand a program," said Kenney. "We should be concentrating on helping the taxpayer and hoping to maintain what we have."
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On the net:
Lynch: http://www.lynchcommittee.com/
Kenney: http://www.draftkenney.com/
Forry's mailing address: Forry for Governor, P.O. Box 464, Jaffrey, N.H. 03452
