Issues

Pete believes state government should focus on solving problems, not political division. It's time to stop the finger-pointing and start working together to address the issues burdening our working families.

Education and property taxes go hand in hand, much of the cost of our public schools falls on local property taxpayers. When the state cuts revenue or underfunds its constitutional responsibility to provide an adequate education, homeowners and businesses are left picking up the tab. Strong public schools are an investment in our future and it shouldn't depend on how wealthy a community is. Every child deserves a quality education, and every taxpayer deserves a fairer system that doesn't continually increase local property taxes each year.

Housing has become one of the many challenges facing New Hampshire. Young families can't afford to buy their first home, and many working families are burdened by rising rents. We need practical solutions that increase housing opportunities, encourage responsible development, and help communities build the infrastructure needed to grow, while preserving local control and keeping the character of towns. Teachers, public servants, tradesmen, and entrepreneurs alike should know that owning a home for their families in New Hampshire can be a reality.

Access to affordable, quality healthcare is essential for every Granite Stater. In my time as a firefighter, I responded to medical emergencies where the patient couldn’t afford their necessary medication. No one should have to choose between paying for prescription medications, seeing a doctor, or meeting basic needs. We must work to lower healthcare costs, expand access to primary and mental health care, address workforce shortages, and ensure that families, seniors, and rural communities can receive timely, high-quality care close to home.

Every community depends on well-trained police officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and correctional officers to keep families safe. Unfortunately, New Hampshire is facing growing staffing shortages because recruitment is down and experienced public safety professionals are leaving for better pay, stronger retirement benefits, or careers outside public service.

The changes made to the Group II retirement system over a decade ago have made it harder to attract and retain qualified personnel. We must strengthen retirement benefits, improve recruitment efforts, and invest in the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. Being short-staffed doesn't just affect those wearing the uniform, it can mean longer emergency response times, increased overtime costs, burnout, and greater risks to public safety.

Supporting public safety means supporting the men and women who serve. By investing in recruitment, retention, training, and competitive benefits, we can build a stronger workforce, improve public safety, and ensure our communities have the emergency services they deserve.

A strong public education system is one of the best investments we can make in New Hampshire's future. Our teachers should be focused on educating our children, not worrying about layoffs, shrinking budgets, or buying classroom supplies out of their own pockets. Every student deserves access to a quality education, regardless of what town or city they live in.

I support increasing the state's commitment to public education so we can reduce the burden on local property taxpayers, provide schools with stable and predictable funding, and give teachers the resources they need to succeed. We need to recruit and retain dedicated educators with competitive pay, safe classrooms, and give them the support they deserve. Investing in our schools strengthens our workforce, attracts businesses, and creates opportunities for the future generations to come.