New Hampshire Governor Vetoes, Condemns 'Right to Work' Bill

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch vetoed a so-called "right-to-work" bill Wednesday, saying there's no valid economic argument or other justification for the anti-union legislation.

"States should not interfere with the rights of businesses and their employees to freely negotiate contracts," Lynch said in statement condemning the bill. "That is unless there is a compelling public interest, and there is no compelling public interest in passing this legislation."

Republican leaders immediately pledged to override the veto. The bill passed by a two-thirds majority in the Senate but would need 14 additional votes in the House to become law.

In his statement, Lynch stressed that New Hampshire already has a lower unemployment rate and stronger economy than most states with right-to-work laws.

"New Hampshire has an economic strategy that is working...In states with a right-to-work law, workers on average have a lower standard of living, bringing home less in their paychecks and going without health insurance more frequently," he said.

Then he obliterated the business argument for such laws: "In my time as a CEO, in my years spent in the private sector turning around companies, and in my seven years as governor, I have never seen the so-called right-to-work law serve as a valuable economic development tool.

"In the last seven years of recruiting businesses to move to New Hampshire, not one business leader has ever even asked me if New Hampshire had a right-to-work law, let alone suggested it was a factor in the company's location decision. No New Hampshire business leaders have ever told me that the lack of a so-called right-to-work law prevented them from expanding or hiring new workers here in New Hampshire. And no New Hampshire workers have ever told me they couldn't get a job because New Hampshire doesn't have a so-called right-to-work law."