Saving Lives on New Hampshire’s Roads: Our Task Force Mission
April 17, 2025
New Hampshire’s roads should be safe for every driver, passenger, and pedestrian. Yet, in 2024, we lost 135 lives to motor vehicle crashes—heartbreaking tragedies often tied to impaired driving, reckless speeding, and distraction. As a member of Governor Kelly Ayotte’s Special Task Force on Highway Safety, I’m committed to turning the tide. Our April 4,
Safer Highways, Encouraging Local Investment, and Tackling Delays in Public Projects
March 30, 2025
I’ve been hard at work this March tackling issues that matter to our communities, from strengthening our local economy to enhancing safety and supporting our most vulnerable. Here’s a full rundown of what I’ve been up to this month—because you deserve to know how I’m fighting for you. Championing NH Banks in the Public Deposit
Councilor John Stephen Backs Streamlined Public Construction for New Hampshire
March 29, 2025
I’m always looking for ways to make state government work better for the people of New Hampshire. That’s why I’m proud to support Commissioner Charles Arlinghaus and the Department of Administrative Services in their efforts to tackle inefficiencies in our public construction process. Recently, I joined Councilors Joseph Kenney, David Wheeler, and Janet Stevens in
Councilor John Stephen Champions Community Input Across New Hampshire
March 29, 2025
As Executive Councilor, my job is to serve as a voice for all Granite Staters, ensuring that state decisions reflect the needs and concerns of our communities. Recently, I’ve been digging into an issue that hits close to home for the people of the North Country —a proposed New Hampshire Air National Guard project near
Councilor John Stephen Drives Creation of Highway Safety Task Force
March 29, 2025
I’ve made it a priority to tackle issues that directly impact the safety and well-being of Granite Staters. One pressing concern that’s been on my radar is the alarming rise in highway fatalities, especially among our young people. Last month, I took action by hosting a roundtable with state officials and advocates to address this
Councilor John Stephen Seeks Local Investment Boost in $750M PDIP Review
March 29, 2025
I’m committed to ensuring that New Hampshire’s public funds work for our communities—not just for far-off financial markets. That’s why I’m taking a stand on the Public Deposit Investment Pool (PDIP), a $750 million pool of taxpayer dollars that should be boosting our local economy. Too often, these funds are invested outside our state, and
Protecting NH Taxpayers: Addressing Federal Grant Indirect Costs
March 17, 2025
During the March 12, 2025, Governor and Council meeting, I raised a critical issue about indirect costs in federal grants, particularly those managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This issue affects how taxpayer dollars are spent, and I want to share my concerns and actions with you. I questioned a contract
February 2025 Highlights from Executive Councilor John Stephen
February 28, 2025
As your Executive Councilor, I’m proud to share some of the work I’ve been doing this February to serve our communities, improve safety, and strengthen New Hampshire’s future. From tackling traffic concerns to supporting innovative housing solutions, here’s a look at what’s been keeping me busy. Addressing Traffic Safety Concerns in Candia I was honored
InDepthNH: Outsourcing Contracts Versus Internal Staffing
February 26, 2025
An excerpt from InDepthNH Claremont, State Work To Transfer Property for Housing Needs by Paula Tracy Wednesday February 26, 2025 – Read the full article here. Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester, continued to express concern that the state is spending money with out-of-state contractors rather than use state employees to provide services, particularly within the
Union Leader: Mom of DWI Fatal Victim Pushes for Tougher Punishment
February 26, 2025
From Kevin Landrigan at the Union Leader – read the full story here. Stephen, a former state prosecutor and health and human services commissioner, said he was alarmed to learn about 45% of administrative law suspensions of licenses get withdrawn, often because the driver agrees to plead guilty to DWI or a lesser violation so
