MANCHESTER, NH —
The battle for an office in the corner of the New Hampshire State Capitol shifted focus Monday to labor, workforce and the economy.
Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig has touted her support for labor unions, while former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte is pitching herself to some voters.
Surrounded by union leaders representing teachers, Manchester firefighters, carpenters and electricians, Mr. Craig said that as governor he would reverse what Mr. Ayotte had not done: abolish the interest and dividend tax.
“Now we have Republicans like Kelly Ayotte who are fine with giving tax breaks to the wealthiest people in the state like her, and now the tax burden is going to fall on our hard-working people. It’s all about the family,” Craig said.
>> Download the free WMUR app and get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <
Craig said he opposes widespread sales or income taxes as governor, but is looking to recreational marijuana to fund his agenda.
“I said I support legalizing marijuana,” she said. “We're going to work with the legislation to do that. It's going to generate revenue that we can use to make affordable housing and education better in New Hampshire.”
Ayotte opposes marijuana legalization and is skeptical of its ability to generate tax revenue.
“Joyce Craig can balance her budget and smoke her own way, but I'm going to do it the old-fashioned way,” Ayotte said. “We're going to live within our means.”
Mr. Ayotte ignores Mr. Craig's criticism of interest and dividend taxes.
“While we welcome Joyce back to New Hampshire from California, the first thing she did upon her return was announce a $160 million tax increase for New Hampshire residents,” Ayotte said. he said. “It hurts retirees. It hurts people who are saving for retirement. I don't understand why she would propose raising taxes.”
While Craig is likely to garner the most union support in the race, Ayotte is focused on a core issue for public sector unions: restoring state contributions to so-called Group 2 retirement benefits for first responders. He is actively campaigning. Both candidates said they would work for police and firefighters as governor.
