Local Economy 

With the current stress of the economy, people in New Hampshire will need relief. This winter and potentially the following year could be particularly difficult due to the rising prices of fueling which is putting both employers and employees in a squeeze. Both need to be thought of when legislation is brought up. After the short term needs of this economy are met, we need to take steps to strengthen the economy on a long-term basis. This means better education, jobs, and care for the youth, the working class, and the elderly.

Available education for just youth won't do. New Hampshire needs more accessible Technical and Community colleges, to help workers get the education necessary to attain jobs that will support a family.

 More jobs will come from protecting the environment to support tourism, offer incentives for businesses who hire NH college students, and lastly more accessible and effective education.

Slowly, to support local businesses, a long term plan to restrict chain businesses in NH is intriguing. Local economies would flourish and more people would become business owners.

Environment

The beauty and health of New Hampshire's environment is a large part of what makes this state so great, and it should be among our top priorities to protect the environment of the Granite State. We can do this in a number of ways. We can invest in state parks, pass strict legislation on both point and non-point pollution, promote healthy practices such as recycling, bicycling, using public transportation, natural farming on a small scale, and the use of renewable energy sources.

I think the State of New Hampshire, as well as the nation, needs a major educational reform. One that will reshape the funding as well as the curriculum. First of all, funding  must move away from regressive taxes such as the lottery and move toward raising funds from targeted taxing of things like alcohol, cigarettes, oil, and other commodities that are not healthy or sustainable. The curriculum needs to be more dynamic so that students with all different learning styles can succeed in school.