Kennedy Pushes Income Tax, Stricter Gun Control

Democratic candidate for governor Bill Kennedy, the self-admitted "dark horse" in this year's race, pushed his income tax platform and advocated for stricter gun control regulations during an appearance at Nesmith Library on July 26.

Kennedy, a Danbury resident, spoke before a small gathering of the Windham Democratic Town Committee, where he talked about his plans for a 4 or 5 percent flat rate income tax in the state.

He explained to the audience that he wouldn't endorse the idea without a decrease in the state's property tax.

"There's still many people that are scared that it's a perpetuation of taxation," Kennedy said.

But the goal for Kennedy is to drastically reduce the property tax.

"The intent is to reduce the property tax by one-third to 50 percent," he said.

The income tax would then supplement the lost revenue. Kennedy said if done right, it could increase revenue in the state.

Kennedy added that he is against any kind of sales tax.

He argued that he thinks the state is close to legislation, and that the discussion on the idea needs to happen now.

Kennedy also fielded some questions on N.H. gun control, where he brought up his 29 years of military experience.

He told the audience that in the military, people couldn't hold firearms without proving competency.

"There should be rules and regulations and some controls embedded with gun ownership," Kennedy said.

He used the example of a driver's license, where those who want to own a gun would have to pass some sort of test.

Asked if he agrees with automatic weapons in the hands of citizens, Kennedy said "I don't think so."

"Those were designed for military purposes," he said.

Kennedy also said that he is the only candidate against expanded gambling, saying that the $200 million revenue projections are much higher than what they would actually be.

"It is not the panacea to our revenue woes that (other candidates) play it up to be," he said.

He argued that costs will come from increased police patrols, and that casinos will also drive increased corruption and social problems.

"(Casinos are) one issue that probably splits the state almost down the middle," he said.

Apart from the expanded gambling issue, Kennedy said that he aligns with his fellow Democratic candidates on "about 80 percent" of the issues in this year's election.

He said that he is more liberal than his opponents on marijuana laws, arguing that there should be a decriminalization of the drug in the state.

Kennedy said that he formerly worked Counter Drug Intelligence Operations in Florida, and aruged that marijuana isn't quite as bad as it is portrayed.

"I fought the drug war while down in Miami (and) it isn't the demon that people play it up to be," he said. "Alcohol was always the issue."

Kennedy explained that he never responded to an incident where someone increased in their aggression after using marijuana.

On mass transportation, Kennedy told the Windham residents that he is in favor of a "trans-NH" rail system that would reach up to the top of the state, but only as a "viable, long-term plan" after a railway is built to run through Salem, Manchester and other largely populated areas of N.H.

Bill Duncan, Democratic candidate for the District 3 Executive Council seat, spoke before Kennedy, outlining that he largely got into the race because of what he called the "terrible anti-public education legislation" that has gone through the House.

"It would have been steps on the road to dismantiling New Hampshire public education," Duncan said. "Only one bad bill passed – the voucher bill."

The voucher bill passed by veto-proof margins earlier in the spring, with its purpose to establish tax credits for businesses that donated to private school scholarships for New Hampshire students.

Duncan said that he is running to "restore balance to a council that's off the rails."

He wants to promote what he called "responsible projects" that meet the needs of state citizens.

Duncan, who currently lives in New Castle, is running against incumbent Chris Sununu.