From The Desk of Executive Councilor John A. Stephen
District 4
Dear Constituents,
March has been a productive month, and as your Executive Councilor, I’m committed to keeping our state focused on essential services, running efficiently, and ensuring your tax dollars work for you. Here’s what I’ve been up to this month:
- Championing NH Banks in the Public Deposit Investment Pool (PDIP): I’m leading the charge to ensure our New Hampshire banks play a strong role in the Public Deposit Investment Pool, a state program that helps towns, schools, and public entities invest taxpayer funds safely and effectively. By keeping these funds with our local banks, we strengthen our economy and keep benefits in-state. I’ve been working with Councilors Joe Kenney and Dave Wheeler, banking leaders, and state officials to push for fair consideration, fighting any tilt toward out-of-state institutions. This is about keeping our money local—I’m all in on this fight.
- Highway Safety Task Force: Governor Kelly Ayotte appointed me to this critical task force, and I’ve started collaborating with the Governor’s office, Steve Peccora, Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn, and Assistant Commissioner Eddie Edwards to set the agenda for our April kickoff. This month, I’ve been shaping recommendations—like enhanced enforcement and infrastructure upgrades—to reduce crashes and save lives. It’s about smart, targeted action to make our roads safer, and I’ll deliver those ideas to the Governor soon.
- Cutting Delays in Public Works Projects: I’ve seen how state delays inflate public works costs, so I met with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) to tackle bidding and approval holdups. With Councilors Wheeler, Kenney, and Stevens, I’m pressing agencies like Administrative Services to streamline operations. My letter to DAS Commissioner Charlie Arlinghaus lays it out. Efficiency saves your tax dollars—I’m on it.
Want to dive deeper? Check out my work on clean drinking water with DES, honoring Manchester’s Police Communications Unit, and touring the State Forensic Lab at johnstephennh.com
Live Free or Die,
Gov. Kelly Ayotte presented a commendation to the Manchester NH Police Communications Division for their life-saving work at the March 12, 2025 Executive Council meeting hosted by Councilor John Stephen.
Councilor John Stephen Backs Streamlined Public Construction for New Hampshire
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 recognizing his leadership with a letter of gratitude—and a call to keep pushing forward.
On March 28, 2025, we wrote: “We write today to extend our sincere gratitude for your steadfast commitment to reviewing and addressing the government hurdles that have long impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of public construction projects across New Hampshire. Your leadership at the Department of Administrative Services has proven vital in tackling these challenges, and we are particularly encouraged by your efforts to foster a more collaborative relationship between the state and the contracting community—a priority that resonates deeply with the concerns raised by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Associated General Contractors (AGC).” Source: Letter to Commissioner Charles Arlinghaus, March 28, 2025
This isn’t just about bureaucracy—it’s about building a stronger New Hampshire. The construction industry employs thousands of Granite Staters and delivers the infrastructure our communities rely on. But as the ABC’s recent proposal points out, contractors face real challenges: delays in Notices to Proceed, slow responses to change orders and payment applications, and unclear expectations around project scope. These hurdles drive up costs, disrupt timelines, and hit smaller contractors hardest, threatening jobs and economic growth.
The March 12, 2025 Breakfast Meeting of the Executive Council was hosted by John Stephen at the New Hampshire Department of Safety.
Support the Effort
I’m hard at work on the Executive Council finding ways to save your taxpayer dollars and streamline our government — meanwhile, our opponents have plenty of free time to go out and fundraise!
Pitch in today to support our efforts on the Executive Council and ensure we keep our conservative majority in the future, if you can.
Councilor John Stephen Drives Creation of Highway Safety Task Force
Executive Councilor John Stephen has made highway safety a priority, addressing the rise in fatalities, especially among young Granite Staters. Last month, he hosted a roundtable with state officials and advocates to tackle drunken and drugged driving enforcement and road safety, leading to Governor Kelly Ayotte’s creation of a 34-person Highway Safety Task Force led by Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn and Attorney General John Formella.
The Union Leader reported on March 29, 2025, that Stephen’s efforts persuaded Ayotte to act, with the task force targeting speeding, distracted driving, and wrong-way incidents. Drawing on his experience as a former deputy safety commissioner, Stephen aims to deliver draft recommendations within two months, ensuring safer roads through stronger enforcement and practical solutions.
Councilor John Stephen Seeks Local Investment Boost in $750M PDIP Review
Executive Councilor John Stephen is pushing for greater transparency and local investment in the review of New Hampshire’s $750 million Public Deposit Investment Pool (PDIP). On March 28, 2025, he joined fellow councilors and bipartisan legislators in questioning State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelle about the PDIP’s investment practices, urging that more funds benefit New Hampshire banks and communities rather than out-of-state institutions.
Stephen’s initiative aligns with his commitment to fiscal responsibility and economic growth, leveraging his experience as Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. He’s advocating for amendments to ensure council oversight of PDIP contracts, aiming to maximize returns for taxpayers and support the state’s economy amid tightening budgets.
WMUR: New Hampshire Faces New Budget Gap After Federal Government Cuts Off $80M in Grants
New Hampshire is grappling with an $80 million budget shortfall after the CDC terminated pandemic-era grant funding on March 26, 2025. State officials had relied on these funds to support public health programs, but with revenues already declining and federal aid waning, lawmakers face tough decisions as they finalize the next two-year budget by June 30.
Governor Kelly Ayotte has emphasized efficiency, directing agencies to find savings without tax hikes, though Democrats warn of potential service cuts. The loss of CDC grants, combined with other federal reductions like $27 million from the U.S. Department of Education, threatens programs such as disease prevention and mental health support, intensifying the state’s fiscal challenges.
Upcoming Governor & Council Meetings
Below are the scheduled Governor and Council meetings for April through June 2025. All meetings are held at the State House at 10:00 AM unless otherwise noted.
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| April 9, 2025 | Wednesday |
| April 23, 2025 | Wednesday |
| May 7, 2025 | Wednesday |
| May 21, 2025 | Wednesday |
| June 4, 2025 | Wednesday |
| June 18, 2025 | Wednesday |
Copyright (C) 2025 John Stephen for Executive Council. All rights reserved.
