CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today began his third term by stressing the need for continued bipartisan cooperation to help families through tough economic times and to address the financial challenges facing New Hampshire.

“Here in New Hampshire, we will be called upon to make difficult decisions in the next two years. We must come together to find solutions to the problems our families are facing today and to address the financial challenges facing our state as a result of the recession,” Gov. Lynch said.

“But it is not with pessimism or with a sense of foreboding that I speak these words.
My faith in our ability to work together and my belief in the spirit of the people of New Hampshire give me optimism about our future.”

In his inaugural address, Gov. Lynch said the nation was facing unprecedented economic challenges with the markets suffering their worst decline since the Great Depression; the number of people seeking unemployment benefits nationally at a 30-year high; and mortgage foreclosures across the country continue to rise.

“Our steady leadership is more important now than ever. We must have confidence in our ability to seek common sense solutions to uncommon problems, to employ calm in the face of fear, and to assert the certainty of our core values in these uncertain times,” Gov. Lynch said.

While the recession is national and global in scope, Gov, Lynch said there are steps that New Hampshire can take to help families now and to build the economy for the future.

Gov. Lynch proposed a Green Jobs Initiative, using proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Renewable Energy Fund to put people to work. He proposed expanding the state’s home weatherization program; investing in improving the efficiency of state and municipal buildings; training workers for energy-related jobs; and creating a low-interest revolving loan fund to help businesses become more energy efficient and switch to renewable energy.

“This Green Jobs Initiative will help create jobs for our people now, and make New Hampshire’s economy stronger for the future. Let’s help New Hampshire workers and businesses keep their competitive edge, and let’s keep good paying jobs right here in New Hampshire,” Gov. Lynch said.

He also proposed expanding the Job Training Fund, which is providing training to more than 3,000 workers from 70 New Hampshire companies, to include opportunities for unemployed workers.

In reviewing projects for the capital budget, Gov. Lynch said he will focus on projects that can start quickly and put people to work. He also said that the work over the past four years done to return fiscal responsibility to the Highway and Turnpike Funds will help create jobs for New Hampshire citizens.

With the national recession having a dramatic impacts on state revenues, Gov. Lynch called for continued fiscal responsibility.

“Let me be very clear: we face a budget challenge of unprecedented dimensions.

“We have a proven record of sensibly managing our state budget - and we have done so without a sales or income tax. We will continue to do so,” Gov. Lynch said. “As we develop the next budget, we will have to examine every area of spending, look at every program and say ‘no’ more often than we would like.”

“There are some initiatives and programs - no matter how worthy we feel they may be - that will have to be deferred until better times. We will not be able to do everything we want to, or even everything we should do as a state,” Gov. Lynch said. “But these tough times will not last forever. If we act wisely now, we can meet our responsibilities, honor our core values and still prepare New Hampshire for the future.”

The Governor called for continued progress in meeting the state’s education responsibilities, including the creation of an accountability system aimed at actually improving learning.

Gov. Lynch also said the state must continue to reduce the state’s high school dropout rate and improve education through technology.

“In every industry, technology is breaking down old barriers. The same must be true in education,” Gov. Lynch said.

In closing, Gov. Lynch said continued cooperation is essential to address the challenges facing New Hampshire families.

“Working together - Democrats, Republicans and Independents - we have embarked on a path of greater discourse and as a result, we have made real progress on the issues that matter to New Hampshire families,” Gov. Lynch said. “History will define this moment as one of unprecedented challenges. Let us define this moment in our history as one of cooperation, of courage and of action.”

Text of Gov. John Lynch’s Inaugural Address