May 2008 Archives

Tom Brown announces that he's going to do something about it - from the Sun (page 7):

LACONIA — A week before the filing period opens on June 4, Tom Brown has announced that he will enter the Republican primary for one of the city’s five seats in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Brown, 38, will be making his second bid for a spot on the general election ballot in November. In 2004, when less than 17-percent of voters cast ballots, Brown ran seventh in a field of ten in the GOP primary, just one vote behind the two candidates tied for sixth place and 29 votes shy of the fifth place finisher. The fi ve Republican nominees — Don Flanders, Jim Fitzgerald, Frank Tilton, Ralph Rosen and John Veazey — went to sweep all five seats in November. Two years later, Fitzgerald lost his bid for the state Senate and only two of the four incumbents — Flanders and Tilton — held their seats as Democrats Jane Wood, Judith Reever and Beth Arsenault claimed the tree remaining seats.

“I didn’t even think of running in 2006,” Brown said, explaining that he had just begun a new job with HRO Plus, a small entrepreneurial firm that outsources human resources — health insurance, workers’ compensation, payroll and software packages — to national corporations. By 2007, Brown returned to politics as chairman of the Laconia Republican Committee and a regular guest on “The Advocates,” the radio talk show hosted by conservative and activist Niel Young.

“This time I’ve been thinking about it for months,” Brown said of his decision to join the race. “I’m concerned that Republicans aren’t getting a fair shake,” he said. “President Bush is not the whole party. It doesn’t start and end with him. I can’t stand to see Republicans being framed into something we’re not.”

Calling himself a “freedom Republican,” Brown said “I don’t want to lose the New Hampshire way of life. New Hampshire is an idea, not simply a state.” For him, that idea is embodied in the notion of limited government marked by laws designed to maximize personal liberty and policies intended to limit public spending.

“When you write a law,” Brown remarked, “you should ask ‘will it infringe on our freedom?’ It’s better not to have a law at all than a law that’s poorly written.” He said that if he is sent to Concord, his top priority would be to explore state expenditures with an eye to reducing them and “rolling back some of the recent tax increases.” At the same time, he would seek to promote economic development by encouraging entrepreneurial enterprise and commercial investment.

Public service runs in Brown’s family. His greatgrandfather was a supreme court justice in Massachusetts and his grandfather, after serving as an ambulance driver in the First World War, was elected to New Hampshire House of Representatives.

“I’m in this to do something,” Brown declared, “not for something to do.”

Show gratitude to our fallen by aiding today's veterans

ON MEMORIAL DAY, observed this coming Monday, Americans pause and pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make our nation the great country that it is today. Without that sacrifice by generations upon generations of Americans since the Revolutionary War, none of us would enjoy the freedoms that we too often take for granted. 

Whether attending a Memorial Day event on the federal holiday or the traditional Memorial Day of May 30, marching in a parade, laying wreaths, building monuments or displaying our flag, we all have the opportunity to participate in events honoring those who have sacrificed so much. As Americans, it is vitally important that we recognize, honor and thank those who have fought and died to defend our Constitution and the principles upon which our nation was founded. 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars eloquently state about Memorial Day: "It's a sacred day to all war veterans. None need to be reminded of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated. . . . Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America's collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime."

Or, as the American Legion also eloquently reminds us, "We are also proud of their families, who have sacrificed so much. Long after the battlefield guns have been silenced and the bombs stop exploding, the children of our foreign warriors will still be missing a parent. Spouses will be without their life partners. Parents will continue to grieve for their heroic sons and daughters that died way too early. We need to be there for them -- not just as members of The American Legion Family -- but as American citizens. Nobody can replace these fallen heroes -- especially in the eyes of their families -- but we can offer shoulders to cry on, assistance with educational expenses and assurance that their loved one's sacrifice will not be forgotten." 

As a nation, we honor the commitment of men and women who serve in harm's way by ensuring that they have every resource they need to defend themselves and prevail in battle. When these courageous soldiers return home with wounds or future health care needs, we must work to ensure that they have access to the best possible health care for physical and mental ailments. Our nation needs to modernize the educational benefits that are earned through military service. We also need to ensure that earned retirement benefits, disability compensation, and surviving spousal benefits match the commitment made by those who have served our nation. 

On an issue that involves the faith and trust of every soldier and their families, our nation must return to the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action designation, or POW/MIA. That designation has long been used by the American military for soldiers who are being held as prisoners or who are missing in action while serving our nation. Unfortunately, the POW/MIA designation has been changed to: Missing-Captured Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. POW/MIA is the only designation recognized by the Geneva Convention. Memorial Day would be a fitting time to restore the proper POW/MIA designation. 

On Memorial Day, we must remember that were it not for the sacrifice of fallen heroes and burden their loved ones carry, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy. Their sacrifice is a vivid reminder that freedom is never free. Further, our nation must show its gratitude by forever recognizing their honor and commitment and by ensuring our soldiers and veterans have the support they deserve.

Joe Kenney for Governor

Last Sunday at the New Hampshire Republican Party meeting held at Alton's Prospect Mtn High School, the prestigious Norris Cotton awards were given out.  These are given to those deemed to have been of exemplary service to the New Hampshire GOP

The one for Belknap County was awarded to Faith Tobin of Sanbornton - Congratulations Faith!

Provided by Grant Bosse's campaign at Bosse for Congress
It can also be viewed at YouTube.

John Stephen for Congress


Good afternoon.  It’s important to get the chance to speak here today because it is so critical that we get Republicans back to fighting for Republican principles, and we need to start now.  When Republicans act and vote like Democrats, we lose.  When we got away from the values that made us a majority party in Washington, the voters told us loud and clear that we no longer deserved to be in the majority. 

2006 was a humbling time for Republicans, but no one should have been surprised.  We didn’t lose the majority in Congress, we squandered it away.  With massive deficit spending, huge new programs and cumbersome regulations, our own representatives gave up the high ground on fiscal responsibility, limited government and personal freedom. 

Today, more Americans trust the Democrats on the economy than Republicans, and the Democrats have already told us they want to raise taxes in the middle of an economic downturn!  The voters are trying to send us a message- unfortunately, it’s not getting through to our party.

Just this week, a more than half of Republicans in the House in Congress voted in favor of a bloated, pork-filled farm bill that raises the cost of food for Americans and spent billions of taxpayer dollars to do it.  When are we going to learn the lessons of 2006?  Thankfully, Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu voted against this disastrous bill.  They understand that Republicans need to stand for something.

We saw this Congressional seat change from Republican to Democrat because the incumbent forgot what made Republicans a majority by voting for massive federal spending every year and sponsoring legislation like Real ID and Medicare Part D, which already has a greater unfunded liability than Social Security.  Voters may not have been able to tell who the Republican was.

Now, when the top issue for most Americans is the cost of gasoline, you would be hard pressed to find a difference between Jeb Bradley and Carol Shea-Porter on energy.  Both consistently voted to stop new energy exploration here in the United States by banning drilling in Alaska, off our shores and in the Rockies.  I thought Republicans supported new energy exploration to keep costs down and to protect our national security.  At a time when gas costs $3.75 and gallon and diesel is $4.50, voters need to know that there is a difference on this critical issue, but there hasn’t been one in this district for the past six years.

As a party, we need to change.  If Republicans are going to become the majority party again, it will be because we regained the trust of the people that we will return the core values that brought us to power- low taxes, limited government, less regulation and more freedom.  These are the very reason I am running for the 1st District seat.

Acting like Democrats is what cost us control of Congress.  Acting like Republicans, and convincing the public that we are serious this time, is the only way we will win.  It’s time to get back to the message that made our party strong.  It’s time to send people to Washington who have a track record of supporting Republican values.  It’s time to win again.

I ask you for your support and your vote.  Thank you, God Bless you and God Bless America!

(Concord)  Republican Grant Bosse today chastised Congressman Paul Hodes for introducing a bill to prevent the Department of Defense from communicating the ongoing progress in the global war against Islamic Fascism. Hodes has introduced an amendment to the 2009 Defense Authorization Act that would stifle the ability of military leaders to communicate military success to the American people, and could even threaten efforts of military recruiters nationwide.

“Paul Hodes has bought into the liberal fantasy that any news of American progress is propaganda, and the retreat-and-defeat agenda of the New York Times is to be taken as truth,” said Bosse. “This latest attack on the American military shows just how extreme Hodes has become.”

While Hodes would limit the ability of the Department of Defense to communicate its message to the public, he has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars to aid his re-election campaign. Hodes has habitually used the Congressional “franking privilege” to mail politically-targeted literature to New Hampshire voters. He is even using the Congressional Record for political purposes.

“Paul Hodes said the Surge was ‘too little, too late,’ and didn’t even bother listening to the testimony of General David Petraeus,” Bosse continued. “Now he wants to prevent the American public from hearing the news the New York Times does not see fit to print, while reserving his own ability to print propaganda at taxpayer expense.”

From Tom DeRosa (Political Director, NH GOP)

Greetings all --

 

This is a message to put two very important dates on your radar -- on June 23 and June 24 we will be having our candidate trainings. Both sessions will be held at night at the Courtyard Marriott in Concord.

 

On the night of the 23rd, we will have our House Candidate training and on the night of the 24th we will have our Senate Candidate training. Both nights will begin at 6:00pm and should be over at 9:00pm.

 

We will be notifying all candidates of these dates as well but please feel free to make them aware as well.

 

As you continue to recruit candidates please keep these dates in mind and as always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

From Tom DeRosa (Political Director, NH GOP)

Greetings all!  

I am writing to inform you of the upcoming town chair training session to be held on May 27th at the Bow Public Library at 6:00pm. This is a meeting that is being held for activists and town chairs everywhere to assist them in their needs for running a strong committee and helping to elect republicans in the fall and will last around two hours.

We can win in November with a strong slate of candidates and a strong message of Republican ideals but we cannot win if we are not organized. It is no secret that the democrats are energized right now but with this training and your hard work we will not only energize more people than they will but we will turn out more voters in November and hold on to the White House, protect Senator Sununu, and take back Concord!  

The meeting is not only for town chairs but activists and those interested in becoming town chairs or wishing to get more active with their town committee so please feel free to spread the word to those you think may be interested.  Please make every effort to attend this training and let me know either way if you will or will not be able to attend.

If you need a ride, let me know - I am planning on attending

-Skip

A Press Release from Grant Bosse - Bosse for Congress - Energy Plan:


(Hillsboro)  Republican Grant Bosse today unveiled a comprehensive Energy Plan to lower gas prices, promote new sources of renewable energy, and lessen Congressional interference in the energy marketplace.  Bosse also announced that former State Senator Jim Rubens and New England Wood Pellet founder Steve Walker will head up the Bosse campaign’s Energy and Environmental Council, advising Bosse on these complex issues.

“For the American economy to recover in the short-term, and prosper long-term, we need to find a better way of getting the energy we need to power economic growth,” said Bosse.  “My comprehensive Energy Plan will make all forms of energy more affordable, provide incentives for renewable energy breakthroughs, and protect the environment.”

The Bosse Energy Plan contained ten changes in federal energy policy which would reduce Congressional interference in the energy marketplace, increase supply of both traditional and new energy sources, and lower prices for American consumers.

• End ethanol subsidies and mandates.
• Provide permanent tax incentives for renewable energy sources.
• End subsidies for fossil fuel development, such as royalty-free extraction in deepwater offshore wells.
• Increase access to domestic energy reserves, such as Alaska oil field and oil sands in the Western United States.
• Streamline siting and environmental requirements for new oil refineries.
• Streamline application process for nuclear power plant construction.
• Simplify siting process for electric power lines.
• Cap-and-trade emissions from power plants.
• Promote X-Prize system for new energy breakthroughs.
• Reform energy research programs through New Energy Block Grants.

For more information on Bosse’s Energy Plan, log onto www.Bosse2008.com.

Full comprehensive energy plan after the jump

By KEVIN LANDRIGAN Staff Writer
klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com

CONCORD – The two possible Republican candidates for governor signed a pledge that would cap state spending at the rate of inflation plus population growth.

Sen. Joseph Kenney, R-Wakefield, charged that Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. John Lynch are bent on spending the state into needing a broad-based sales or income tax.

"We are being backed into an income or sales tax by this spending," Kenney told reporters.

"They want an income tax; there is no doubt about that."

Leaders of the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition insisted the pledge is meant to dovetail with – not dilute – the vaunted pledge to veto a broad-based sales or income tax.The group is staging a drive to get a local spending-cap petition before the voters in several communities across the state, including Merrimack.

Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta said lawmakers "fleeced" taxpayers by increasing state spending by 17 percent in the two-year state budget that concludes June 30, 2009.

Asked to give an example of the excess, however, Guinta offered a proposed reform of the state retirement system that GOP gubernatorial candidate Kenney voted for earlier this month.

"That's an example of fleecing the taxpayers," Guinta said.

The Senate passed its retirement reform proposal (HB 1645), 24-0. Kenney said he voted yes only to get it to a negotiated settlement that he hopes will generate a better, final product for taxpayers.

As the Memorial Day recess rapidly approaches, Senate Democrats last night scrapped the version of the supplemental war funding bill they initially brought up on Tuesday. Democrats have been trying to find a way to “load up” the bill with more than $28 billion in extra spending over the next two years, according to the AP.  Fortunately, one of the provisions that fell by the wayside was work permits for immigrant farm laborers, but the bill, as Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday, is still filled “with a raft of unrelated domestic spending projects and policy proposals.”

In an editorial today, National Review Online lays out the problems with the supplemental bill that Democrats have crafted, but as NRO writes, the bottom line is, “We should be able to fund our troops in the field without paying billions of dollars in ransom to Congress’s pet projects.”

The issue of the spending itself aside, Democrats’ insistence on larding up the bill with “veto bait” is only serving to delay passage of the funds our troops need. The Pentagon has indicated it must have the funding approved by the middle of June, otherwise “the Defense Department will be unable to make payroll for our uniformed Army,” as Sen. McConnell pointed out. NRO was clear about what the hold-up means: “[T]hanks to Senator Reid’s lacksidasical management, even this flawed piece of legislation will probably not be sent to the president until after Memorial Day — meaning that we’ll be honoring our veterans while leaving our active-duty troops in the lurch.”

While Democrats struggle to figure out what to do with the supplemental bill, conferees agreed to a conference report on the fiscal 2009 budget resolution, which the House is scheduled to consider today. Unfortunately, there is little improvement in the budget since it was last seen. According to the AP, “The House-Senate compromise, more than a month overdue, contains a host of shaky assumptions - and forecasts that many of President Bush's signature tax cuts will expire on schedule at the end of 2010.”

Sen. Judd Gregg, ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee said yesterday, “This is a partisan budget crafted behind closed doors -- a budget that’s bad for taxpayers and bad for the economy. It includes the largest tax increase in history, blows through the $1 trillion mark in annual discretionary spending, and once again completely punts the urgent issue of entitlement spending reform.” Sen. McConnell added this morning, “American families can’t afford this budget. American job creators can’t afford this budget. And our economy can’t afford this budget.”

NEW GOP CANDIDATE?

The Republicans may have a second candidate for governor, after all.

With just four weeks left before the opening of the June 4-13 filing period, James "Jim" Adams of Pittsfield has Republican leaders excited.

Adams, the recently retired former New Hampshire/Vermont district manager for the U.S. Postal Service, said yesterday he is seriously thinking of running because he's upset by what he views as excessive spending in Concord.

Adams said he will make a final decision before the filling period opens and is currently trying to raise money. He says he's been encouraged by state party leaders.

While Adams would be making his first run for elective office, he's not a political novice, said state GOP Chair Fergus Cullen.

"Jim's initial strengths are management experience with a large organization with large budgets and a less tangible set of political skills that comes from rising to the top in a large political, bureaucratic organization and staying there," he said.

Adams, a New Hampshire native, spent 36 years at the postal service, the first 10 as a letter carrier. In 1988, he went to Washington as senior advisor to the assistant postmaster general and then as chief of staff to postmasters Anthony Frank and Marvin Runyon. He said he helped Runyon cut $14 billion in costs from the postal services in six years and was liaison to the White House, the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and worked with congressional leaders.

He returned to the state in 1997 as the district manager and "cut costs by 2.5 to 3 percent a year in every year I was here."

He retired on Feb. 29 and about three weeks ago, became interested in running.

"I was concerned with the state of the economy and with the 17.5 percent spending increase in the state budget," he said. "Where I came from, that sort of budget would have meant the individual in charge would no longer be there."

Adams called Democratic Gov. John Lynch "a good man and a very popular governor," but he believes the budget and government can be cut.

He took the anti-broad based tax pledge in an interview, and said that no, he is not related to former White House chief of staff and Gov. Sherman Adams.

Senate Democrats’ energy plan is garnering more criticism today, and not just from fellow Democrats.  Investor’s Business Daily has a scathing editorial today discussing the folly of Democrats’ proposal for a windfall profits tax and their unrealistic ideas about “price gouging.” IBD writes in part, “As any student who's taken Econ 101 at the local junior college can tell you, higher taxes don't encourage production; they discourage it.”

National Review Online’s Jonah Goldberg also takes Democrats to task in his column and exposes the absurdity of politicians deciding for themselves just what profits are “reasonable.”

Another criticism leveled by the IBD editorial is that Democrats are looking to return to failed 1970’s energy policies. Indeed, a number of the Democrats’ ideas are particularly stale, reaching all the way back to 1974.

Additional: here, here

Meanwhile, Senator Gregg is trying to make a difference:

New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg has co-sponsored an amendment to address rising gas prices and reduce the country's dependence on foreign sources of oil.

The amendment increases the production of oil and gas in the United States, as well as supports the development of renewable energy and advanced energy technologies.

Gregg says the American Energy Production Act of 2008, on which the amendment is based, will produce up to 24 billion barrels of oil domestically and expand the nation's commitment to renewable sources and advanced energy technologies.

The amendment is pending on the flood insurance bill being considered by the Senate. It's been scheduled for a vote on Monday.

And Senator Gregg calls out NY's Schumer, and wins:

A recent report by New Hampshire Union Leader senior political reporter John Distaso discussed attacks on New Hampshire's senior senator, Judd Gregg, by a newspaper in New York.

Sen. Gregg rightfully took issue with an earmark inserted to a bill dealing with air traffic safety. The earmark was to fund a rail project in New York City. Rather than defend the rail project on its merits, the newspaper suggested that this project relates to 9/11 and thus anyone who criticizes it is insensitive.

Ironically, the first vocal critic of this dubious earmark was none other than The Wall Street Journal. If the World Trade Center had a hometown paper, one might argue the Wall Street Journal was it. Here is what the Journal had to say about the Schumer earmark in December of 2006:

"One of the projects to be funded: a new train from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy Airport. Why people in Oshkosh or Olympia should have to pay for this urban choochoo is a mystery.

"What makes this project especially objectionable is the creative financing conjured up to pay for it. This earmark hangs like a Christmas ornament from a must-pass bill to extend certain annual tax credits. And how's this for a misnomer? The subsidy is called the 'New York Liberty Zone Tax Credit.' Here's how it would work: New York would receive up to $2 billion over 10 years (about $1.3 billion of which is Sept. 11 money, for a net new subsidy of $682 million).

"Of course, New York City doesn't pay federal taxes, so this bill allows the Big Apple to retain the employer share of the payroll taxes that the city collects on behalf of its public employees ... The result: a new $2 billion hole in the budget. Our congressional sources say this is the first time this kind of tax credit has been provided for a city or state to pay for infrastructure pork."

In Washington, the easy path is to just stay silent about other members' earmarks and about wasteful spending in general. But, in the Granite State tradition, Judd Gregg has taken the road less traveled. New Hampshire taxpayers should be thankful he is trying to make a difference.

Jim DeMint is a Republican U.S. senator from South Carolina.

Date:        5/14/08

UNH POLL SHOWS SEN. McCAIN AHEAD IN NH: 

The most recent UNH poll shows Senator McCain defeating both Barack Obama (49-43 percent) and Senator Clinton (47-43 percent) in New Hampshire.  The poll shows McCain defeating Obama by a staggering 61-27 percent among independents, and topping Clinton by 53-30 among the same group.  McCain also wins a healthy chunk of Democrats against either candidate.  To read the UNH survey, go to here

 

THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR NH REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES THIS YEAR: 

Candidates won’t be running into a headwind like 2006.  Help us put a stop to the higher spending, tax increases, and left-wing agenda that has dominated Concord for the past two years by running for office this year!  Contact Mike Hamilton or 225-9341.

 

POLL ALSO SHOWS SUNUNU GAINING, SHEA-PORTER IN TROUBLE:

The UNH poll shows Senator Sununu up five points in the Senate race compared to the last time the poll was done and Carol Shea-Porter losing in the first CD. Check it out  

 

LYNCH INTRODUCES A NEW TAX, RAISES OTHER TAXES: 

To fill the growing state budget deficit resulting from Gov. Lynch’s 17.5% increase in state spending last year (NH has record revenues yet still has a deficit), Gov. Lynch this week proposed raising taxes on cigarettes (for the third time in four years) and alcohol, and introduced a new tax on poker.  One of the reasons fiscal conservatives seek to limit the number of different taxes (“no new taxes”) is because once a new tax is in place, it’s all too easy to raise it a little here and a little there, you know, for the kids.  Like Lynch is doing with cigarette and alcohol taxes.  Does any one really think a new poker tax will stay at the initial rate for long?

The much anticipated education bills (SB 530 and SB 539) will finally come to the floor of the House this Wednesday and, should they survive the legislative process and are signed into law by Governor Lynch, they undoubtedly will be challenged in the courts.

Despite facing a budget deficit of more than $250M, Democrats in the House Finance committee have amended and passed SB 539, adding more than $130M in additional spending to the cost of an adequate education. This bill is expensive, ineffective and blatantly unconstitutional! It violates every one of the Claremont decisions, 2-13. This marks the fifth time that the original bill, presented by Democrats on the Adequate Education Costing Committee, has been amended and each ‘fix’ has been worse than the previous one. This bill provides for an arbitrary cap on state aid. Transitioning to full adequacy aid is not the same as full adequacy aid, and our Supreme Court has ruled on more than one occasion that the state must pay, from day one, the full cost of a constitutionally adequate education.

SB 539 also establishes nearly 40 new donor towns while purportedly “holding them harmless” for two years. Those districts that would receive less state aid in FY 2010 and FY 2011 under the majority formula would be guaranteed the amount they received in FY2009. Donor towns purportedly would have their excess statewide education property tax rebated, but after two years, the taxpayers in everyone of these communities would be hit hard.

This is exactly what the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in Governor Shaheen’s “ABC Education Plan.” It contains absolutely no mechanism to send money back to the towns from the state. The Democrats have added more than $130M in spending with absolutely no idea of where the money is coming from. The majority have clearly chosen to put off the hard work until the next budget—after the fall elections—thus significantly increasing the fiscal problems facing the state in the next biennium and leaving us open to broadbased taxes.

SB 530, relative to kindergarten aid, is also unconstitutional and will be headed for the courts. In funding the new kindergarten mandate adopted last year, Democrats fail to pay for the entire cost imposed on the twelve school districts which have not voluntarily chosen to offer public kindergarten—a clear violation of Article 28-a of our State Constitution. The four year transition period available to these school districts to pay for kindergarten does not cover the land, site preparation or core facilities’ cost. The bottom line: SB 530 orders twelve school districts over a four-year period to construct kindergarten facilities. Forcing the state and the municipalities to do significant construction and spend millions of dollars at a time when our economy is at a standstill is fiscally irresponsible.

When will the Democrats wake up to the fact that, as Ronald Reagan once famously stated, “we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem?” It’s a fact that revenues this year are $72M ahead of last year, a 3.8% increase. Had the Democrats held spending to a more modest increase, instead of their 17.5% boost in spending, and listened to Rep. Major’s warnings of overinflated revenues and a slowing economy, we would not be facing the financial crisis that we are in today.

Rather than looking for reasonable places to reduce the bloated budget passed last year and bring it into line with our rising revenues, Democrats look to raise still more taxes and fees. In fact, just this week Governor Lynch announced a plan to raise money for the general fund while ignoring an earlier pledge not to raise taxes or impose new fees on the citizens of New Hampshire.

The Lynch plan calls for increasing the tobacco tax by 25 cents—the third time that our “let’s not raise taxes” governor has increased this tax! If the State of Massachusetts fails to pass a proposed $1 increase, it would leave NH just $.18 a package lower than the Bay State. What would that do to the many businesses located in our border communities?

Governor Lynch has also proposed imposing a new tax, at a rate of 10% on Texas hold ‘em winnings, raiding dedicated funds in the amount of $1M, imposing additional costs on business owners by reducing the discount on alcohol they buy to 10% and forcing lapses of $2.2M on Home-Community Based Health Care (HCBC) and nursing services program. The governor also proposed to bond $80M of school building aid over the biennium, which will free up an additional $40M in general fund revenues each year, but represents a significant shift from the New Hampshire tradition of paying for such projects in cash. By bonding our school building aid, we are mortgaging the future rather than paying our obligations as they come due—much like using one credit card to pay off another one. And as Rep. Major has calculated, this bonding will cost the state an additional $32M before it is paid off.

This will be a very important week in the NH Legislature as we take up education funding and begin the discussion of a Constitutional Amendment. We invite all members of our caucus to attend a Republican Caucus on Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM in Representatives Hall. The first order of business will the discussion of a possible Constitutional Amendment. Following that, and if time remains, we will then take up the regular House Calendar. On Wednesday, our caucus will be held, as usual, at 9:00 a.m. in Rooms 305-07 of the LOB.

Please remember that we value the input of every member of our caucus. I hope to see a good turnout for our caucuses on both Tuesday and Wednesday. If you have any concerns with regard to legislation appearing in the calendar, please let us know.

For Immediate Release                                                                           Contact: House Republican Office   

May 1,2008                                                                                            603-271-3665

Today Governor Lynch announced a plan to raise more money for the general fund, but in doing so he ignored a pledge he made just months ago not to raise taxes or impose new fees on the citizens of New Hampshire.

The Lynch plan calls for increasing the tobacco tax by 25 cents, imposing a new tax at a rate of 10% on Texas hold’em winnings, raiding dedicated funds in the amount of $1 million, imposing additional costs on business owners by reducing the discount on alcohol they buy to 10%, and forcing lapses of $2.2 million on Home-Community Based health Care (HCBC) and nursing services programs.  This plan would theoretically bring in approximately $45 million for the year, according to Rep. Norm Major (Plaistow), former Ways & Means Chairman.  The governor also proposed to bond $40 million of school building aid, which will free up an additional $40 million in general fund revenues.  

House Deputy Republican Leader David Hess (Hooksett) stated, “I am frankly disappointed that the governor has not kept his pledge to the citizens of New Hampshire. But I am not surprised.” 

“Ronald Reagan famously stated in Washington in the 1980s that ‘we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.’  That is exactly the case in New Hampshire in 2008.  Rather than looking for reasonable places to reduce the bloated budget passed last year and bring it into line with our rising revenues, the Governor and the Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate want to raise still more taxes and fees.  If we had passed a reasonable budget, with an increase in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), we would not be where we are now,” added Rep. Hess.  “While our projected deficit for this fiscal year is $45 million, revenues are actually up $72 million, or 3.7 percent above last year,” stated Rep. Major, who serves on the Ways and Means committee.

Republican Policy Leader Rep Gene Chandler (Bartlett) said, “This plan is going to hurt more than help our citizens.  Reducing the discount for small business owners to 10% for alcohol, threatening our hospitality industry; it is outrageous to think that either consumers will pay more or small business owners make less at a time when our economy is in trouble.  These businesses are the backbone of tourism for our state economy; we can not and must not do anything to endanger that.  By bonding $40 million in school building aid, we’re mortgaging the future rather than paying our obligations as they come due.  We also should have learned our lesson from last year when we increased the tobacco tax and revenues dropped off.  Here we go again with an additional tax burden to our citizens; it is irresponsible and not in the best traditions of doing what is right for New Hampshire.”

“War Over Gas Prices Explodes” is the headline in Roll Call today, which writes, “[B]oth parties and President Bush ratcheted up the blame game Tuesday and scrambled to propose an ever-expanding list of possible salves.”  Of course, it’s instructive to recall that Democrats have been firing salvos over gas prices for more than two years. In fact, Senate Democrats and their Senate candidates were saying, “Talk is cheap, gas is not,” and promising that if they were given control of Congress, they would act to alleviate high gas prices.

Two years later, “Gasoline . . . is $1.25 more, on average, than it was when the Democrats took over Congress,” as Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said at a press conference yesterday. Senate Republican Conference Vice Chair John Cornyn elaborated: “Two years ago, Speaker Pelosi said that if Democrats were given the majority, they would produce a common sense plan for reducing the pain at the pump. Well, we’re still waiting for that plan.”

Politico reports today, though, that Democrats are actually working on proposals, but that they are apparently more interested in scoring political points against Republicans and demonizing oil companies than doing anything to address the real issue of energy supplies.  Their ideas apparently range from bad Carter-era retreads like windfall profits taxes to demanding price gouging investigations that have turned up nothing in the past.

At a Rose Garden press conference yesterday President Bush warned, “Congress is considering bills to raise taxes on domestic energy production, impose new and costly mandates on producers, and demand dramatic emissions cuts that would shut down coal plants, and increase reliance on expensive natural gas. That would drive up prices even further. The cost of these actions would be passed on to consumers in the form of even higher prices at the pump and even bigger electric bills.”

As Roll Call noted, “Republicans said there was no mystery to rising prices — supply isn’t keeping up with rising demand.” Indeed, Republicans took the opportunity yesterday to remind reporters that Democrats have repeatedly scuttled GOP proposals to increase domestic energy supplies. As Sen. McConnell said, “[W]e’ve had an opportunity to build more refineries, and the Democratic majority voted it down.  We’ve had an opportunity to open up additional parts of the outer continental shelf, even in a place like Virginia where you had one Democratic senator and one Republican senator in favor of it, and the Democratic majority voted it down. It’s clear that on the production side of the equation, this new majority is not interested in doing anything.” Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl added that President Clinton vetoed a Republican plan to drill for oil in ANWR years ago, which could now be producing quite a bit of oil.

Republicans have proposed basic steps Congress could take to increase domestic energy supplies, but Democrats have repeatedly opposed them. It’s unfortunate, but unsurprising, that in the absence of constructive suggestions, Democrats are looking instead to score political points.

Despite facing a budget deficit of more than $250M, Democrats in the House Finance committee today ignored the impending financial crisis and added more than $130M in additional spending to the cost of an adequate education, passing SB 539 in a partisan vote. 

According to House Deputy Republican Leader David Hess of Hooksett, the bill violates every one of the Claremont decisions, from 2-13. “This bill is expensive, ineffective and blatantly unconstitutional,” said Hess. “It provides for an arbitrary cap on state aid, preventing any town from receiving more than 115% of their current state aid over the next biennium. As such, the bill costs an adequate education but then blatantly fails to fully fund it,” he added. 

“It marks the fifth time that the original bill, presented by Democrats on the Adequate Education Costing Committee, has been amended and each ‘fix’ has been worse than the previous one,” said Hess.  In referring to the legislation as the “son of ABC,” the first education funding bill passed under Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and quickly declared unconstitutional by the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Hess warned that it would establish nearly 40 new donor towns. The legislation purports to hold the donor town harmless, which is exactly what the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in Gov. Shaheen’s original bill, and it contains absolutely no mechanism to send money back to the towns from the state.   “The Democrats have added more than $130M in spending with absolutely no idea of where the money is coming from,” concluded Hess.

Calling the bill “Alice in Wonderland” legislation last week on the floor of the House, Rep. Hess concluded that the bill, in its present form, is “even more strange.” 

Unless amended on the floor, the bill will now go to a Committee of Conference.

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From the Laconia Daily Sun (5/3/08 ):

Faith Tobin, one of the people who worked on the April 26 community auction that raised funds for the family of Melanie VanTassell, confessed to being somewhat dismayed about the only story about the event that appeared in the Daily Sun this week.

In yesterday's edition there was a short story about how Selectboard Chairman Andrew Livernois had bought a box of old dinner plates at the auction and confessed to being disappointed when he got it home and discovered that some of the dishes were broken. The twist was that Livernois later went online and discovered that the plates that were still in one piece were worth more to eBay collectors than what he'd spent on the entire box.

Livernois was joking about the outcome of the situation at Wednesday selectmen's meeting in the town office building.

But Tobin sad the event, which rasied almost $5,000 for a family that lost their home in house fire in February, was so much more.

In her role as Sanbornton's Overseer of the Public Welfare, VanTassell has made many friends in the community and last wee, Tobin said, the people of the town had a chance to respond to her personal difficulties – which they did with a passion.

“It was really fun,” she reported “Everyone had a great time”.

Tobin's husband, State Representative Bill Tobin, ran the auction, and “he moved at a really fast pace so people really enjoyed it,” she said

The Tobins worked with Selectmen Steve Ober and his wife Karen, former selectman Patsy Wells and Mona Smith to organize the event held in the Old Town Hall. The Tobins and members of Boy Scout Troop 82 helped display the books and other items that were sold. Wells organized the sale of donated food items.

What especially impressed Tobin was how people gave despite their own financial hard times.

“People were bringing in handmade items like quits or paintings, things that meant a lot to them,” she said. “One man brought in a beautiful handmade inlaid cribbage board. Some people baked great desserts which were auctioned off. They all wanted to do it for Melanie. It was a great community outpouring.

“Everything was given with such love and heart-felt feelings,” she add. “some of the businesses are suffering but they donated gift certificates and items. I wish you could have seen it. Older people were coming in in tears, bringing things were were worth a lot of money and saying, if it doesn't sell, give it to the family.”

The job of a public welfare officer can be a difficult one but VanTassell has always handled it with an enthusiasm and optimism her neighbors appreciate. It was in that spirit of given that Sanborton responded to her family's needs last weekend.

Good people doing good things deserve to be appreiated.  Well done!