Hassan Talks Gambling, Guns, Drugs in State of the State

Gov. Maggie Hassan delivered her State of the State address at the Statehouse in Concord on Thursday.

Her address focused on priorities like business, education and transportation, as well as issues like expanded gambling, the push to legalize marijuana, gun control and increasing the minimum wage. She also spoke of the importance of Republicans and a Democrats working together for the good of the state.

[To read the governor's full address, click here.]

"Because of the combined efforts of us all – citizens from the North Country to the Seacoast to the Monadnock Region to the Upper Valley – businesses, non-profits, and community leaders – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike – the state of our state is strong and growing even stronger," Hassan said. "In contrast to the dysfunction in our nation’s capital, in New Hampshire, we have worked together to support middle class families, to help innovative businesses thrive and to grow our economy."

On the topic of gambling, Hassan noted that the state will soon be losing an estimated $75 million per year to Massachusetts casinos, and urged legislators to pass casino legislation developed by the bipartisan Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority.

"Developing New Hampshire's own plan for one high-end destination casino will create jobs, boost our economy, and generate revenue to invest in critical priorities," Hassan said. "I encourage all legislators to fully consider the Authority’s carefully developed, bipartisan recommendations, recognize that we can do this in a way that works for our state, and vote in favor of authorizing a casino. Instead of funding Massachusetts’ needs, let’s take this opportunity to invest in New Hampshire’s priorities and help grow New Hampshire’s economy."

Hassan also asked legislators to take steps to keep New Hampshire’s communities among the safest in the nation. She encouraged collaboration to strengthen the background check system by including information for those who should not possess firearms due to severe mental illness. She called for passage of a bill creating a crime of domestic violence, an effort spurred in part last year’s tragic murder of 9-year-old Joshua Savyon of Amherst, whose mother Becky Ranes attended the address.

"Becky, none of us can grasp the pain you bear every day, but we are all inspired by your courage in sharing your story and advocating for this bill that will help countless families and communities,” Governor Hassan said. “I ask the legislature to heed Becky’s call and pass this bill, pass ‘Joshua’s Law,’ in memory of her beautiful son."

New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jennifer Horn was quick to respond to Hassan's address, saying in a prepared statement that the governor "offered no new ideas or real proposals to move New Hampshire forward and create more economic opportunity for middle class families." Horn said the governor missed an opportunity to lay out a bold vision for the future of our state, instead using her speech to "lay the groundwork for her support of a disastrous gas tax increase."

In the video clip above, Hassan talks about the need for one, high-end casino in New Hampshire.