Posts by Jon Kiper
I am the only candidate for governor that has not taken this pledge—not because I intend to implement a broad-based sales or income tax, but because “The Pledge” is a deceitful fallacy.
A real-life example is that of House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn). His 2023 financial disclosure does not mention that his wife, Sharon Osborne, serves as Chairman of the Board at Latitude Learning, a homeschool cooperative. Rep. Osborne is required to report this potential conflict in his disclosure. However, this oversight is not his only violation of the public trust.
Ideally, I would address these systemic issues by running for a position in the House or Senate. However, the state’s policy of paying representatives and senators just $100 per year means that working-class individuals like me can’t afford to serve in Concord.
In offering a legislative pay of only $100 per year, we do not invite all walks of life into our so-called “citizen legislature.” Instead, we rely on wealthy elites to address working-class problems. In considering why New Hampshire is the only New England state that has failed to legalize cannabis, or why our legislature is so slow to expand housing and address homelessness, the cause is clear: a volunteer legislature overpopulated by older, wealthy, retired citizens shielded from working-class problems.
O P I N I O N THE SOAPBOX Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn. Dear Editor, My name