Tammy Simmons GarthwaitePrimary Election 2022 Winner
Running forState Representative - Hillsborough 19 (Ward 10)
in 2022
Running as Republican
After owning a home on Parker Street for 20 years, my husband Dan and I bought our home at 166 Varney Street. Dan and I used to joke that we were likely the only people who owned properties on both Parker AND Varney Streets at the same time!
Served two terms as State Representative for Ward 10
Current jobOffice Manager at J&R Langley Co. here in Ward 10
When I first moved to NH in the 80s I worked at Norwood Realty. I went back to my graphic arts career and went on to own a print & copy shop. I have worked in a medical practice dealing with health insurance pre-certifications, as a customs broker, an import/export specialist, and a bookkeeper.
Current residenceManchester NH Ward 10
Time lived in NH30+ years
HometownAmsterdam, NY
School of Lifelong Learning ;)
Best way to contact candidatetammy@tammysimmons.org
603-235-9998
If elected or re-elected, please describe legislation you expect to sponsor or co-sponsor.
Being listed as the Sponsor or co-sponsor isn’t what is important to me. What is important is improving our laws regarding bail reform to keep our communities safer, expanding educational opportunities for all of NH’s kids, removing barriers on businesses so that they can grow and create high-quality jobs in our state, making government more transparent and efficient, and protecting the individual rights of all NH residents.
What are the most important concerns facing you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?
Neighbors are telling us that they are most concerned about insanely high inflation impacting everything from the price of eggs to the cost of housing and concern over how they will heat their homes this winter. After that, their biggest concerns are about the homeless in our city, crime and bail reform, and education.
These are all issues that I am confident will come up in the next two years. See my answer to #1.
The NH legislature cannot control the policies that are set in DC that are causing inflation but we can pass laws that allow businesses to grow so that they can offer more employment opportunities; we can pass legislation that allows people to keep more of their money by continuing to prioritize state spending and reducing tax rates on both businesses and individuals; we can clarify and change the bail laws to eliminate the ‘catch & release’ scenario we are currently dealing with.
I will support policies that push back against federal government overreach and protect the constitutional right of granite staters.
New Hampshire legislators are citizen legislators and being a legislator is a significant time commitment. How much time per week can you spend on legislative duties while the Senate/House is in session?
Having served two prio terms, I know what the time commitment is and am able to adjust my part-time work schedule to meet these needs.
How do you feel the current divisive political climate in the United States will impact the New Hampshire General Court over the next two years and how would you navigate that divisiveness in your duties?
I would hope that all 400 State Reps are able to behave like the adults they actually are. Being able to listen to colleagues who have a differing opinion on a matter is critical to being an effective legislator. How is anyone going to learn new ideas or understand an opposing viewpoint if they cannot even start by being cordial?
What is the most significant issue facing Manchester at the municipal level and how can you, as a legislator aid the city government on that issue?
See #2
In your conversations with voters, what is the most significant issue to them right now? How would you address that if elected or re-elected?
See #1 and #2
In your opinion, what were the five most significant pieces of legislation introduced over the last two years? Please explain what made them significant.
The State Budget which cut spending by $172.5 million while building the Rainy Day Fund up to $257 million – the highest ever in state history.
Establishing Education Freedom Accounts so that lower-income students are able to access the same educational opportunities as kids from more affluent families. Education plays a significant role in the future of our children and of our state and it should not be limited to the school assigned based on zip code.
Reduction of the meals and rooms tax from 9% to 8.5%. In addition to reducing the rate, more than $2.5 million additional in meals and rooms taxes were returned to Manchester. This was intended to be tax relief for Manchester residents, but our city government chose to just spend it.
Establishing a committee to study nuclear power and nuclear reactor technology. We must find more reliable sources of energy for NH so that we can avoid the situation we are currently in.
While it may not have passed, the bail reform bill. This will definitely be brought up again in the next term and I look forward to representing not only Ward 10 but the entire city of Manchester on this issue which is impacting our community in such a negative way.
