NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release – Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Contact: Corey R. Lewandowski (603) 894-5881 or (202) 550-7839
E-Mail:CLewandowski@afphq.org
 
CATO Institute Ranks Governor Lynch BEHIND Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick In His Ability To Control State Spending

WINDHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE— Americans For Prosperity Foundation, a grassroots free-market group, touted a recently released report by the CATO Institute titled “Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors: 2008” which indicated that Governor John Lynch has done a poor job at controlling the size and scope of government in New Hampshire.  Specifically, of the 46 states surveyed, New Hampshire is ranked 33rd, trailing behind neighboring states like Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. 

“Governor Lynch’s ranking should be a wake up call to the citizens of New Hampshire that state government growth is out of control,”  said AFP Foundation- New Hampshire’s State Director Corey Lewandowski. “Once again, hard-working family in New Hampshire will be saddled with an increased tax burden because Governor Lynch can’t stop spending.”

Three Governors received a grade of “A” including Charlie Christ (R-FL), Mark Sanford (R-SC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV).  CATO goes on to state Governor Manchin “has enacted probably the most pro-growth tax reforms of any governor.”
New Hampshire finished second to last of the six New England states.  Only Connecticut and Governor Jodi Rell (R) who received an “F” from the CATO Institute performed worse.  This ninth biennial fiscal report card examines the tax and spending decisions made by governors since 2003. 

“Governor Lynch has once again failed to help sustain the New Hampshire advantage of lower taxes and less government regulation,” said Lewandowski. “The NH state motto of ‘Live Free or Die’ might need to be changed to Tax-Achusetts.”

Americans For Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFPF believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFPF educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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