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Concord, N.H. - Reports revealed that a secret, private meeting took place between Governor Chris Sununu and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt. Neither the EPA nor Sununu's office gave the press or the public advanced notice of the visit. Pruitt, who just yesterday faced criticism for flying First Class and staying in luxury hotels on the taxpayers' dime, was reported to fly to the meeting in First Class once again. The governor's office claimed they were unable to disclose the meeting because of "security concerns" (which didn't exist for other New Hampshire visits from Trump cabinet members), while the EPA claimed they did disclose the event on their website. They didn't. NHDP Chair Ray Buckley issued the following statement: "Governor Sununu has a disturbing history of shutting out the press when Trump administration officials come to visit. Sununu has been more than willing to play along with Trumpian antics like restricted press access, while turning a blind eye to continuous abuse of taxpayer money through first class & private flights. Sununu's eagerness to duck the press shouldn't excuse him from answering questions about the Trump administration's behavior. Sununu also needs to answer for his praise of a Trump budget that slashes EPA funding, something the governor says he's 'encouraged' by. Pruitt's First Class proclivities and Sununu's lack of transparency are doing a disservice to New Hampshire taxpayers. Perhaps Sununu & Pruitt bonded over their climate denial and support for Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords, but they should both be ashamed of the fact that they have let corporate special interest override their concern for the environment. New Hampshire deserves better than a climate denying governor who embraces the Trump administration's worst environmental and ethical failures."
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