COMMENTARY

It's Time to Strengthen Governor's Powers

November 2002

By Donald J. Pfundstein*
for New Hampshire Business Review

Don't forget to vote on Nov. 5. Failing to exercise this precious right not only insults the men and women who have died defending our liberty, but strips you of your privilege of complaining if you don't like the result. There are very exciting campaigns at all levels. There is no excuse not to vote!

On Nov. 5, we will choose a new governor. Accordingly, it seems timely to review whether any structural changes in the scope of the governor's powers are advisable.

"To provide New Hampshire citizens with cost-effective, responsive governance, the chief executive must have sufficient power to manage affairs of state. Therefore, ... the members of the review strongly support the following changes in New Hampshire's state government:

• Extend the Governor's term of office to four years.
   
• Require agency heads to serve at the pleasure of the Governor and not for specific terms.
   
• Limit the appointment powers of the Executive Council to positions where the term of office extends beyond the Governor's.
   
• Increase the authority of agency directors to hire and fire subordinates.
   
• Grant the Governor sufficient executive authority to effectively manage the state's multi-million dollar budget and to carry out programs supported by the citizens of New Hampshire."

  (Citation to follow — yes, I love Stephen Ambrose's books.)

Regular readers may think that support of the above recommendations is purely Republican cheerleading for the GOP gubernatorial nominee, Craig Benson. The truth of the matter is that the recommendations were made in March 1982 by a panel organized by Democrat Gov. Hugh J. Gallen. (See New Hampshire Governor's Management Review, Inc., March 1982.) The Review notes that approximately 150 individuals or firms sponsored it. Senate President Robert Monier and Speaker of the House John Tucker (both Republicans) were reported as having supported its recommendations.

Unfortunately, Bob Monier is no longer with us and I haven't seen John Tucker in a long time. (You probably know Tucker as the voice of the home heating oil industry's ad campaign to have us heat with oil. With a brisk chill in the air and snow flying in the Great North Woods, Tucker's voice will probably be on the airwaves soon.)

I wonder if both these gentlemen actually supported strengthening the powers of the governor. As legislative leaders, that would be a refreshing step into the future.

Whether you like the New York-style government gridlock such as that featured in Oct. 20 Sunday New York Times or you yearn for more efficient delivery of government services, don't forget to vote on Nov. 5 for governor — and all other offices. At least one of your choices for governor makes a lot of sense and he's not the one proposing a big government income tax!

*Donald J. Pfundstein is admitted in New Hampshire.

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