Steve Merrill

Steve Merrill (2006)

Stephen E. "Steve" Merrill (born June 21, 1946 in Hampton , Rockingham County , New Hampshire ) is an American politician . He was governor of the state of New Hampshire from 1993 to 1997 .

Early years and political advancement

Steve Merrill grew up in Hampton and later attended the University of New Hampshire , where he studied history until 1969. He then completed a law degree at Georgetown University until 1972. Between 1972 and 1976 he was a member of the US Air Force as a lawyer . From 1975 to 1976 he was legal advisor to the Deputy Minister of the Air Force. When he retired from the service of this branch of service in 1976, he had made it up to the captain.

Merrill became a member of the Republican Party . Between 1976 and 1984 he worked as a private lawyer in Manchester . From 1984 to 1989 he served under Governor John H. Sununu as Attorney General of his state. In November 1992 he was elected the new governor of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Governor

Steve Merrill took up his new position on January 7, 1993. After being re-elected in 1994, he could remain in office until January 9, 1997. Right at the start of his tenure, he faced the problem of a deficit of $ 40 million in the state budget. Tax increases were out of the question because a court ruled that such a proposal by his predecessor Judd Gregg was unconstitutional. As a result, the state budget was revised downwards and expenditure cut. The governor got the financial situation under control when the economic upswing began. In the further course of his term of office he distinguished himself through responsible handling of finances, for which he was praised regionally and nationally. He was twice elected the most financially responsible governor of the United States by the Wall Street Journal .

At the end of his second term, he turned down running again in order to get more time for his family. Governor Merrill has two children with his wife, Heather Walker.

Web links

• Steve Merrill in the National Governors Association (English)
• Steve Merrill in nndb (English)