From Kevin Landrigan’s State House Dome

Executive Councilor-elect John Stephen of Manchester is hosting the first of a series of issues roundtables on Jan. 16 from 4-6 p.m. at the Manchester offices of developer Arthur Sullivan, 900 Elm St.

The topic is the state permitting process and what can be done to cut back on delays and eliminate redundances among state agencies.

“It’s really quite alarming some of the stories told to me about the backlogs and just inertia that can frustrate a development that is bringing jobs and often desperately needed housing units to the state,” Stephen said.

“I know we can do better.”

For more than a decade, The Stephen Group has worked with states across the country on government efficiency projects.

Stephen recently completed one with the state of Arkansas for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

“Once you bring agency heads into the same room together focused on a problem, it’s amazing to see the collaboration and the better service to the customer that can result from that,” Stephen said.

Two legislative leaders on this topic, permanent House Housing Committee Chairman Joe Alexander, R-Goffstown, and Senate Commerce Committee member Keith Murphy, R-Manchester, will join Stephen at the event.

Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte made this a focus of her campaign and is likely to highlight the issue during her inaugural address on Thursday.

Ayotte said she wants to bring about a commitment that a developer will get an answer from all relevant departments that are reviewing a particular project within 60 days.