Governor's race

Jun 20, 2010 — Foster's Daily Democrat

Joey Cresta

Jun. 20, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- ROCHESTER -- Republican gubernatorial hopefuls participating in a Rochester 9/12 Group debate detailed their stances on immigration, education, the budget and more Saturday evening.

At times, the event was more a candidate's forum than a debate, since the four candidates all agreed on many issues. Participants included Frank Emiro, state representative for District 3 in Rockingham County; Jack Kimball, a Portsmouth businessman; Karen Testerman, founder of Cornerstone Policy Research; and John Stephen, former commissioner of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Of the state budget, candidates agreed that spending has become a problem. Testerman said several times that New Hampshire has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Emiro said he'd veto this year's budget and do away with new fees and taxes. Kimball said he'd direct department heads to cut 10-12 percent from their budgets. Stephen took issue with exaggerated revenue estimates and redundancies between state departments.

Kimball, citing his extensive business background, said tax relief for small businesses is important. He, along with the other candidates, said he is not in support of LLC, cigarette or toll taxes supported by Gov. John Lynch.

"The cow is running dry. You can't milk a dry cow," Testerman said.

Expanded gambling, another proposal to increase state revenues, was an issue the candidates were divided on. While Testerman, Kimball and Stephen all opposed it, Emiro was in favor and has supported House Bill 593. While Kimball said gambling brings crime, prostitution, depression and other issues, Emiro said those negatives are overstated and argued that a gambling bill could stimulate the economy and bring jobs.

New Hampshire jobs came up more than once during the two-hour-long debate. On the declining state population, Kimball said college graduates are leaving New Hampshire because more attractive jobs are elsewhere. He suggested creating incentives to convince new graduates to stay in the state.

Testerman argued for incentivizing the university system itself so state colleges produce graduates with the skill sets needed in New Hampshire. She was in favor of letting parents decide when their children can leave school, saying many great minds of the past left school early.

The candidates were all believers in local control of education. Stephen supported a Constitutional amendment restoring local control of schools and favored private business models and charter schools. Kimball agreed, adding that he supports parents who want to homeschool their children.

"We owe our kids the best education possible," he said.

Other issues drawing unanimous support included the right to own firearms and Arizona's new immigration reform law. Each candidate supported the legislation and said they'd support similar laws in New Hampshire.

"This is about sovereignty and the 10th Amendment," said Stephen. He added he would join the lawsuit against "Obamacare" if elected governor.

Emiro, who said he once lived in New Mexico, told the audience the border patrol is a waste of taxpayer money because it does not work. He said he backs Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and favors stopping businesses from hiring illegal immigrants.

Kimball would not only like to prevent illegal immigrants from finding jobs here, but said cutting off welfare is an important factor, too.

"You've got to take them away from the trough," he said.

When asked about Right to Work legislation allowing employees to choose whether to join a union, Kimball received applause from the audience. He said he "has seen enough," and has spoken to many union members who are unhappy with union activities.

He said he opposes unions being able to back candidates.

Testerman and Stephen both said they supported the rights of individual employees. Emiro noted that he served as state labor chairman for the GOP under George W. Bush and was on the board of directors for State Employees Association, SEIU Local 1984.

According to Testerman, the state retirement fund is also tied to the unions and must be renegotiated. She said if the unions do not want to negotiate, she would encourage them to go on strike because there are other people out of work who would be happy to take their jobs.

When asked about bipartisanship, Emiro, Stephen and Testerman all agreed that they would sit down and negotiate with those on "the other side of the aisle." Stephen said it is about principles, not parties, while Testerman called herself a coalition builder.

Kimball, though, said he'd be specific about stating his agenda and welcome those who want to follow that agenda to participate.

"It's time to define ourselves," he said. "Moderation causes us to lose."

Newstex ID: KRTB-1268-46248897