Steve Marchand and Molly Kelly Are Committed To Hiking Taxes On New Hampshire’s Working Families

Today, New Hampshire Democrats will choose either Steve Marchand or Molly Kelly as their nominee for governor. But no matter which one of them wins the primary, Democrats will have a committed tax hiker at the top of their ticket this November.

As a state legislator, Molly Kelly had a consistent record of supporting tax hikes and even told the Keene Sentinel that “everything is on the table” when it comes to finding funding sources, including the income tax. Marchand has also stated that he supports burdensome tax hikes and has even refused to take New Hampshire’s traditional pledge to oppose any broad-based tax hikes if elected. Both have also made it clear that they support increasing the state’s gas tax, which would hurt motorists across New Hampshire.

Regardless of who emerges as the Democrat gubernatorial nominee, their party will be forced to run on a platform of increasing taxes on working families, making New Hampshire less affordable, and reversing economic progress. Both Kelly and Marchand have proven they can’t be trusted to lead the Granite State.

Molly Kelly’s Record Of Supporting Tax Hikes

In a 2008 meeting with editors from The Keene Sentinel, Kelly stated, “Everything is on the table” when it comes time to examine funding sources – At the time, Kelly had refused to take a pledge against broad-based income or sales taxes. “When it comes time to examine funding sources, Kelly said she has refused to take a pledge against broad-based income or sales taxes… ‘Everything is on the table,’ she said… She has four criteria for a tax to fund education: It must be fair, lower property taxes, provide relief for middle class families and be dedicated to education alone… ‘If it meets those criteria for me … I have no problem with it,’ she said.” (Source: Sarah Palermo, “Molly Kelly lays out her plan for a second state Senate term,” The Keene Sentinel, Oct. 9, 2008)

On June 6, 2012, Kelly voted against adopting a conference report that would place the question of amending the state constitution to prohibit an assessment, rate, or tax on personal income on the November ballot. “New Hampshire voters will be able to decide whether they want to prohibit an income tax at the November general election after both the House and Senate today approved CACR 13… The House approved CACR 13 by the necessary three-fifths majority to place the question on the November ballot. The House vote was 256-110… In the Senate, the vote was 19-4.” (Source: Ted Siefer, “Both House, Senate pass income tax ban amendment,” The Union Leader, June 6, 2012)

On March 27, 2014, Kelly voted for Senate Bill 367, which effectively increased the state gas and diesel taxes. New Hampshire General Court, March 27, 2014: On March 27, 2014, Kelly voted in favor of SB 367, a bill that would require the adjustment of the road toll according to changes in the Consumer Price Index, eliminating certain ramp tolls on the Everett turnpike in the town of Merrimack, and establishing a committee to study the effectiveness and efficiency of the department of transportation. (Passed 15-9) (Source: SB 367, Roll Call 40, 2014 Session, New Hampshire General Court, March 27, 2014)

Due to SB 367’s passage, the gas tax rose by 23 percent. “The state Senate Thursday voted 15-9 to send to the House a 4.2-cent-a-gallon hike in the state’s 18-cent gas tax, effective July 1.” (Gary Rayno, “Gas tax bill that would eliminate Merrimack tollbooth cruises through Senate,” New Hampshire Union Leader, March 27, 2014)

Kelly voted for a budget in 2009 that included tax increases on vehicle registrations as well as rooms and meals among other new tax hikes. “New Hampshire General Court, June 24, 2009: On June 24 2009, Kelly voted yes on the Conference Committee Report for HB 2” (Passed 13-11) (Source: HB 2, Roll Call 104, 2009 Regular Session, New Hampshire General Court, June 24, 2009)

Steve Marchand’s Record Of Supporting Tax Hikes

VIDEO: “I would be open to raising the gas tax.” “And then I would be open to raising the gas tax a few cents a gallon, and it has to be dedicated by law to infrastructure needs. And we’re screwed, like we gotta, we got like 130 bridges I gotta work on that.” (Source: “Steve Marchand Supports Raising The Gas Tax,”YouTube, March 3, 2017)

Steve Marchand wants to increase the state’s business profits tax.“Don’t expect too many changes in his platform, though. Marchand still supports legalizing and taxing marijuana and increasing the state’s business profits tax, which would supply millions of dollars to support state aid for full-day kindergarten and improve the state’s infrastructure, among other policies.” (Kyle Plantz, “N.H. Gubernatorial Race is Starting to Take Shape,” NH Journal, April 4, 2017)

Marchand has refused to take New Hampshire’s traditional pledge to oppose any broad-based tax hikes. “To understand how the pledge continues to shape—and some might say warp—politics within the New Hampshire Democratic Party, consider this recent exchange between the party’s two gubernatorial candidates at Dartmouth College. First up, Steve Marchand, who thinks the pledge is self-defeating. ‘So when we say don’t take the pledge – look it’s going to take more than two years to get out of the hole that’s a century in getting to this place, but culturally let us begin, we need additional revenue.’ (Source: Josh Rogers, “For N.H. Democrats Running For Office, The Political Pull Of ‘The Pledge’ Remains Strong,”New Hampshire Public Radio, September 6, 2018)