By Anne Saunders, Associated Press Writer
MANCHESTER, N.H. --Democratic Gov. John Lynch and Republican challenger Jim Coburn attacked each other on taxes during their first debate Thursday.
Coburn said Lynch has shown a lack of leadership in education funding that makes an income or sales tax inevitable now that the courts have declared the state's latest school funding law unconstitutional.
"His inaction really calls into question where he stands on broad-based taxes," Coburn said, at a debate organized by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Lynch responded by restating his promise to veto any income or broad-based sales tax.
"We're not going to have a sales or an income tax in New Hampshire but we're also not going to abandon our responsibility to our cities and towns, to our schools and more importantly to our children," he said.
Coburn, a state representative from Windham, said Lynch missed an opportunity to solve the school funding problem when he failed to support Coburn's effort in the Legislature to get a constitutional amendment onto November's ballot that would keep the courts out of education funding.
"We need strong leadership in the next nine months if we're going to avoid the courts telling us what a quality education is and how we're going to fund it," he said.
The courts have given the Legislature until July to define an adequate education and figure out how to pay for it.
Lynch, in turn, accused Coburn of confusing voters with his position on the gas tax.
"Frankly I can't keep up with my opponent on this one," Lynch said.
In April, Coburn suggested suspending the state's 18 cents per gallon gas tax through the summer to give drivers a break and serve as an incentive for tourists. He later said the tax might need to be raised in the future.
Coburn defended his position, saying he proposed raising the gas tax only after New Hampshire has alternative fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, as a tool to encourage drivers to use the new fuels.
In his closing remarks, he accused Lynch of failing to show leadership by taking the safe road politically.
"I will not be the type of governor that trades my standing in the opinion polls for taking strong stands on the issues. On that you have my word," he said.
Lynch promoted his success in increasing the penalties on child sex offenders, in keeping the Portsmouth Shipyard open, in helping elderly residents get medicine when a new Medicare prescription benefit hit snags and in getting prompt assistance to flood victims in the state.
"We've gotten results, and that's what leadership is all about," he said.
September 8th 2006
JIM COBURN COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT EDUCATION RULING
“As Governor, I will make it a top priority to solve the education funding crisis. The latest Supreme Court ruling has made it clear that a constitutional amendment is an essential component of a permanent solution. I will provide the leadership necessary to get one on the ballot and get it passed. Our current Governor has failed to provide the leadership necessary to solve this problem as he promised during his 2004 campaign. His lack of leadership and opposition to a constitutional amendment has ensured that we remain without a lasting solution. Once again, unelected judges have decided they are more capable of determining our children’s future than our elected representatives. I pledge that as Governor I will make education funding a top priority, I feel that ‘adequacy’ is too low of a standard and will strive for an excellent education for our children, a goal we cannot achieve as long as the courts retain control of this issue.”
