Home | Molly Kelly

Proud to Serve District 10

The Marlborough Listening Tour was a spirited conversation. Appropriately, the group had discussed the process that led to the new Marlborough school. As many of you know it was a long and very involved progression that, at times, tested this close-knit community. The tale of how they came together to create the most tangible of investments for the town’s children is a strong testament to what can be done when a community pulls together.

The Chesterfield Listening Tour is being planned as we enter the holiday. We’ll be in touch very soon.

Thursday I had the pleasure of continuing the Listening Tours in Keene. A diverse group of people came to discuss such important issues as manufacturing throughout the Monadnock region; how to bring in more government contracts and how local companies are trying to diversify to meet the ever-changing needs of the local and national economy. We talked about how Keene businesses compete locally and that tied into how and if our local economy can be improved with both short and long-term goals.

We talked about the differences between, and perceptions of, health care delivery and health insurance. And we touched on the current economic model and the current educational model; how they overlap and do not overlap.

The practical, financial and emotional impact the economic doldrums have on the state of New Hampshire was a big topic. We talked about how we’re pulling together during such a challenging time. And we touched on how the US is shaping the values of other nations.

I am grateful for everyone’s candor and participation.

As New Hampshire’s State Senator for District 10, Molly Kelly has built a reputation as an independent voice, working seamlessly and successfully with both Democrats and Republicans to find common-sense solutions to the problems facing New Hampshire and the nation.

Since her election to the Senate in 2006, Senator Kelly’s bi-partisan approach has succeeded in building a significant record of legislative accomplishments – strengthening the role of education in our state and ensuring safety in our schools which, in turn, secures the health and prosperity of local businesses; guaranteeing gay marriage as a civil right; and protecting the natural resources of New Hampshire.

In the 2009-2010 biennial session Senator Kelly has accomplished:

Passage of SB 180 (as sponsor and Chair of Senate Education Committee), the School Accountability Bill. The last piece in a 20-year constitutional process, passage of this legislation establishes an accountability system for the state’s public schools, ensuring the opportunity for an adequate education for the children of New Hampshire

Passage of SB 153 (sponsor), the “Auto Dealer Bill of Rights”, which provides additional financial and legal protections for local auto dealers, their employees and consumers. This includes oversight of the broker-dealer community, regular review and evaluation of marketing materials and regulatory examinations, thereby ensuring the protection and long-term health of Cheshire County’s automobile dealerships

Passage of SB 115, strengthening the Healthy Kids Corporation Program, which establishes a young adult “buy in” program providing affordable health insurance with no gaps

Supported the use of medical marijuana for medicinal purposes

Sponsored a tax credit bill to help small New Hampshire businesses create new jobs by encouraging and promoting the sustainability of advanced manufacturing and “energy efficient” products – one of the most important slices of the New Hampshire’s economy

Through her efforts, Senator Kelly has been a vital force in balancing the state budget, focusing on helping the people of New Hampshire through these difficult times and spurring the state’s economy. The budget reflects New Hampshire values: 100% funding for education, 100% funding for school building aid. And the budget prioritizes the most vulnerable among us, while also protecting the vitality of our state’s families and businesses.

Governor Lynch signs Senate Bill 180; a bill sponsored by Senator Kelly that ensures an adequate education for New Hampshire's children

Today Senator Kelly joined the governor, educators and engineers in support of the Real World Design Challenge -- a new program that encourages high school students to learn and apply engineering skills toward a “real world challenge”.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, August 21, 2009 Contact: Senator Molly Kelly
(603) 271-4153

SENATOR KELLY SUPPORTS ENGINEERING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS

CONCORD – Senator Molly Kelly (D-Keene) joined Governor John Lynch, educators and industry executives today to launch a program that will give New Hampshire students the opportunity to learn and apply engineering skills to solve a “real world challenge.”

New Hampshire has agreed to participate in a national program called the Real World Design Challenge -- giving high school teachers and students access to $1 million in engineering software as they compete to design a two-engine commercial jet with enhanced fuel efficiency. Last year, an all-girls team from Hawaii became the first winner in the program, now starting its second year with a new design challenge. This is the first year New Hampshire has participated.

Senator Molly Kelly speaks with Dan Caron, a teacher at Kingswood Regional High School, as state officials announce New Hampshire’s participation in a national program called the Real World Design Challenge. Caron is interested in having his students participate in the program, which encourages students to learn and apply engineering skills to solve a “real world challenge” in competition with other schools.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance learning opportunities and inspire our students to pursue careers in math, science and engineering. Our nation is a nation of problem-solvers and I see this as a way to develop the skills and stimulate more interest among young people in addressing the challenges facing our nation,” Kelly said.

“It’s exciting because students will have the opportunity to apply skills and compete with each other for the best solutions,” she added

Senator Kelly is chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee and a member of the Advanced Manufacturing Education Advisory Council. She recently attended an education conference in San Francisco on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The state Department of Education will help enroll and support schools and teachers that choose to participate. Students and teachers involved in the program will have access to some of the same computer assisted design and modeling software used by professionals and access to mentors from industry, government and major universities around the country.

Senator Kelly with Ralph Coppola, Director of Real World Design Challenge and Director of Global Government and Strategic Education Program at Parametric Technology Corporation