NH Governor Hassan Pledges to Restore 45 Percent Cut To Higher Education

By: Sarah Betancourt

New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan has been sworn in by Chief Justice Linda Dalianis. Hassan is the former state Senate Majority leader. In November 2010, Hassan was defeated by Tea Party Candidate Russell Prescott when Republicans regained control of both the state House and Senate. Hassan beat Ovide Lamontage in November.

She has pledged to restore the 45 percent cut in state aid to higher education. Cutting state support for public education in half while lowering the tobacco tax two years ago was “short sighted,” she said in her inaugural address.

She also emphasized the importance of innovation in New Hampshire, “95% of the world’s consumers live outside of the US. I want NH to be a leader in exports…to encourage innovation.” Hassan also called for doubling the sate’s tax credit on business and research development.”

Hassan mentioned improving the safety of towns and schools, but did not specify how. In 2013, she is the only pro-choice female governor in the country. Hassan won all ten counties in the state to become New Hampshire’s second female governor.

By: Sarah Betancourt

Sarah Betancourt is a Boston-based journalist who has written for In These Times, Open Media Boston, Spare Change News, Boston.com, the Boston Globe Environment Blog, and has had work appear in video on the National Geographic Water Currents Blog. She writes primarily about Boston politics, labor, Generation Y issues, and environmental policy.