Issue Position: Jobs and the Economy

Issue Position

--Balanced budget with no new taxes funds essential needs in education and mental health
Sen. Watters kept his pledge against an income or sales tax and worked with a bipartisan, unanimous senate coalition to restore funding for essential services.
--Tax credit bills boost jobs and economic development
Working with businesses, economic development directors, and District 4 Chambers of Commerce, Sen. Watters' bills doubled the research and development tax credit program and extended and expanded the Economic Revitalization Zone Tax Credit Program.

--Funding Transportation Needs in District 4
Sen. Watters fought for funding to rebuild roads and bridges and to provide road funds for District 4 projects. Supported by the Business and Industry Association, the NH Municipal Association, and local governments, he cosponsored the bill to raise the road toll by 4.2 cents a gallon. Serving on the Transportation Committee, Sen. Watters ensured the Ten-Year Highway Plan supported Rte. 108 upgrades, the Little Bay Bridges project, and planning for Exit 10 on the Spaulding Turnpike.

--Supporting Working Families
Sen. Watters fought back attempts to undermine collective bargaining and supported efforts to provide fair pension and medical benefits for New Hampshire workers.

--Energy
Sen. Watters supports clean and renewable energy and reliable transmission infrastructure for electricity and natural gas to promote lower energy costs for families and businesses.

--Workforce and Affordable Housing
A member of the Commission on Affordable Housing, Sen. Watters sponsored bills to cut red tape and promote development of workforce housing.

--Minimum Wage
Sen. Watters took the "Minimum Wage Challenge" to experience life on minimum wage as part of the fight to create a New Hampshire minimum wage law.

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