Lynch gets failing grade

In another election year, an ill-timed rating of his financial performance could hurt Gov. John Lynch.

The Cato Institute gave New Hampshire a "D" on fiscal policy, placing the state 33rd out of 46 in the survey, trailing neighboring 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 Americans for Prosperity Foundation-New Hampshire's state director, Corey Lewandowski.

"Once again, hardworking families in New Hampshire will be saddled with an increased tax burden because Governor Lynch can't stop spending."

The problem in this race is his GOP opponent, Joe Kenney, can't start spending campaign money to advertise this fact, which could drive home the message.

The Libertarian-based think-tank has never given New Hampshire extremely high marks, even though this group believes in low taxes and New Hampshire is one of only two states without a sales or income tax.

Lynch supporters note New Hampshire has received numerous awards during the last two years, including most livable state, low state tax burden, low poverty rate and one of the healthiest states in the country.

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