John Lynch: We Need All He Has To Offer

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 22:02:04 PM EST

Second, it's great to see so many new people getting involved in our government, and you see them with bright eyes enjoying everything new, looking at what they now can contribute.  I noticed from time to time what a couple of under-20 new Legislators were applauding for, or not.  One, a Democrat who happened to be sitting some distance to my left, seemed to applaud at different lines with a higher or lower level of enthusiasm than another to my right a few seats away, a Republican.  Interesting.  Already taking sides.  Already being critical and independent thinkers in their own rights. Good for them.  

It was also interesting for me because my first Inaugural was 40 years ago just about to the day, in early January of 1969.  I was a much younger and somewhat lighter guy elected to my first term -- the youngest House member that year.  Now I'm about the "average age."  But on this day, one still feels young.  Even Walter Peterson, who was sworn in as Governor on that day long ago, looked young and vibrant today.  

To get to some substance, I thought John Lynch did well in his speech, but I did expect a bit more.  He gave words of optimism, and painted the picture of the difficulties we're going to face in the months to come.  That's important for a leader to do.

I was a bit concerned about his warnings that state government would have to say "no" to a lot of important things, and that we wouldn't be doing some of those things that as a government we should do.  

The State of New Hampshire cannot put up a "Going Out Of Business" sign.  President-Elect Barack Obama has the courage to say that now is the time to INVEST in our people, put ourselves to work, find ways to create real jobs, and spend what needs to be spent on our nation to make it economically and structurally strong again.

I was heartened to hear John Lynch talk about weatherization programs and conservation of energy for homes and state buildings.  That's where we can use some of our state's bonding capacity to put people to work leading up to next winter, when indeed our economy is likely to remain downturned.  Spring is coming in just a few weeks and hopefully we'll survive through this winter.  IF we get serious now about conservation and weatherization programs statewide and spend heavily in that area during the next few months -- and I'm talking tens of millions of dollars -- come October of 2009 we begin getting some good payback.  The cold will come again after a summer of warmth, and we need to be better prepared.  Putting people to work now doing that for then is a wise investment in ourselves.

I was sad to hear from the Governor no new efforts to fund education.  Rhetoric is good, and it was nice to hear him say that all our young people should have quality schools and should graduate.  We were all happy to applaud to that.

But how do we get "there" from "here?"  We can't just lay all school funding at the feet of cities and towns again.  We have to do something.  Saying to millionaires that they don't have to worry about paying a fairer share might be another loud applause line for some, but it doesn't help solve our financial commitments.  I think he should hold a series of Statewide Education Summits, bringing together people of all levels from all backgrounds together to examine how to better provide educational excellence to meet the needs of the 21st Century and beyond -- and how to pay for it fairly. Investing in our kids is our very best investment for our future -- and theirs.

So, I expected a bit more of John Lynch.  He's an intelligent problem-solver.  He has great business expertise.  He has a strong compassionate streak.

He IS our Governor.  Solving our problems in an agressive and positive way is his job.  It's our job too -- all of us in an out of government -- but we need leadership and direction.  

About John Lynch:  let's use his talents more.  We need him.  We need all he has to offer.  And we'll all try to help him.