Priorities and Initiatives - Improving Government
Governor Lynch continues to work to improve government through reforming laws, improving efficiency, and increasing transparency.
- Ethics Reform
Governor John Lynch pushed for the reform of New Hampshire state government's ethics laws, creating an ethics commission for the Executive Branch, tightening gift-giving rules, and increasing the regulation of lobbyists. The Executive Branch Ethics Commission is the first of its kind for New Hampshire. more... - Online Licensing
Governor Lynch has worked to move more services online, creating efficiencies, reducing costs and making it easier for New Hampshire citizens to access state services. The state recently put driver's license renewals online. - Greater Efficiency
Governor Lynch has worked with state agency heads and lawmakers to reduce state general fund spending in the current budget. This was achieved through difficult choices such as closure of the state prison in Laconia, the closure four district courts and a reduction in personnel.
The Governor continues to work to:- Implement changes in how the Department of Health and Human Services does business;
- Eliminate outdated boards and commissions, and reinstating only those that are truly necessary;
- Expand centralized purchasing to save money;
- Make the state Liquor Commission run more like a business.
- Ending Redundancies
Governor Lynch has worked to create greater efficiencies in state government by eliminating redundancies and duplications in services. He worked to successfully merge the Highway Patrol with the State Police to improve public safety and efficiency. The Governor also moved the Workforce Opportunity Council into the Department of Resources and Economic Development to better coordinate the state's economic development and workforce investment efforts. - Justice Reinvestment
Governor Lynch continues to work to implement reforms to the state's correction system that will improve public safety and cut taxpayer costs by reducing the recidivism rate. The Justice Center of the Council of State Governments and the Pew Foundation are conducting a comprehensive review of New Hampshire's Corrections system, which is being overseen by a bipartisan state leadership team with representatives from the executive, legislative and judicial branches. - Greater Transparency
Governor Lynch has worked to provide greater transparency in state government. For the first time ever, the State of New Hampshire now makes monthly spending reports available online.