June 2009 Archives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
June 30, 2009   
(603) 225-9341


CONCORD – Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on a Superior Court judge freezing $110 million that Governor Lynch has tried to steal from the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association fund:

“Unfortunately what we feared would happen has begun to happen. Republicans in the House and Senate warned Governor Lynch that the $110 million he is trying to steal from the Joint Underwriting Association to balance the state budget would likely be tied up in litigation.

“Yesterday a Superior Court judge ruled that the money has to be frozen until there is a final court decision on the ownership of the assets. This means the state budget closes out the last fiscal year $65 million in deficit and we start out next year’s budget $45 million in deficit. That makes $110 million dollars worth of shortfall.

“And with the inflated revenue estimates this may only be the beginning of even more serious problems for Governor Lynch’s budget.”

 
BACKGROUND:

The Laconia Citizen Reports That A Superior Court Judge Has Frozen $110 Million In Surplus Money From The New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association Fund That Governor Lynch Is Trying To Steal To Pay For Excessive State Spending:

Laconia Citizen: “Judge Kathleen McGuire's action on Monday will keep the state from taking $110 million in surplus in the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association fund and using it to help balance the newest state budget. Specifically the judge ruled: ‘The funds at issue will not in any way be transferred prior to the final order of the court.’” (6/30)

$65 Million Has Been Used To Balance The 2009 Fiscal Year Budget That Ends TODAY, June 30, 2009:

Union Leader: “The first impact the standoff hits at the end of July, the date the new budget calls for a transfer of $65 million onto state books for the 2009 fiscal year.” (6/28)

$45 Million Has Been Used To Balance The 2010 Fiscal Year Budget:

Union Leader: “Another $45 million is supposed to come out for the 2010 fiscal year.” (6/28)

 
There are many Republican events coming up in the next few days. Please find a few of them below and also check out the www.NHGOP.org website for additional events.
 
Hope you all have a safe and Happy Independence Day!!
 
1) Ted Gatsas for Mayor Family Fun BBQ - Friday July 3rd
 

Happy 4th of July ~ on the 3rd of July of Course!
Please join us for a Family Fun BBQ to celebrate America’s Birthday!  Prior to the fireworks show on July 3rd!

Jillians Restaurant
50 Philip Cote Street
6pm – 8pm
Click here for more information & to RSVP

2) Winnepesaukee Republicans July 4th Breakfast - Saturday July 4th

I hope to see some of you at our breakfast fundraiser this Saturday. As a YR, a concerned citizen and someone who is always on the lookout to meet leaders in NH, I am psyched to meet Fred Tausch, founder of STEWARD of Prosperity. Have you heard about Bob Bestani, one of our other speakers who happens to be a candidate for U.S. Congress?
 
Breakfast is from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the downstairs ballroom of the Wolfeboro Inn at 90 North Main Street in Wolfeboro. We do this every year at the hotel, and it is very important we have many of you there. Tickets are $25 per person, and there will also be a 50/50 raffle to raise more money for the GOP here in the Lakes Region.
 
Come out to support people like Bradley, Tausch and Bestani with your ears, voices and comradery. There will be time for questions to the gentlemen after the panel closes its address.
 
Join your neighbors from Carroll County GOP, Barnstead-Alton Republican Committee, elected representatives from Carroll and Belknap counties, and more! Bring your family and friends and catch early-bird parking for the famous Wolfeboro Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. We hope you will march with us and work of the all-you-can eat helping of pancakes, eggs, coffee and cream, etc.
 
Please e-mail me at ggg.pio@gmail.com for questions, details about our parade presentation or to let us know you would like to volunteer for either July Fourth event. We appreciate RSVPs for the breakfast to get an idea of the number of guests. Tickets are available at Dive Winnipesaukee in downtown Wolfeboro, or you may pay at the door.
Sincerely,
 
Gigi Giambanco,
Secretary, Winnipesaukee Republicans

 
3) Friends of Ray Burton at the Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods - Saturday, July 4th
 

Welcome to all my friends and supporters across this great district of Northern New Hampshire and beyond!

As we come in to the summer season I would like to announce one of my favorite events of the year, the annual July 4th gathering of the Friends of Ray Burton at the Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods!  This is always a great time to mingle and mix with a diverse group of people and enjoy the beautiful setting and events planned at one of Northern NH's premier vacation destinations.

The event gets started around 5:30 with registration and a social cocktail hour, with a bbq supper beginning at 7:30 PM.  We will have some honoured speakers and plenty of mingling.  Guests are invited to take part in the Mt. Washington Resort's July 4th activities for the evening, including especially the American Celebration Dance from 9-11 PM.  For more information on the Resort's planned activities see http://www.mountwashingtonresort.com/activities/event/detail/255

This event is a fundraiser to support me in my campaigns and serving the district, and as such there is a suggested donation of $75 per person.  All are invited and I hope to see you there!

As always, if you need anything, I can be reached at 603-747-3662 or ray.burton@myfairpoint.net

Best,

Ray Burton
Executive Councilor, District 1

 
Kerry L. Marsh
Political & Corporate Communications
 
Spectrum Marketing Companies
95 Eddy Road, Suite 101
Manchester, NH  03102
Phone: (603) 627-0042
Fax: (603) 627-1637
Cell: (603) 582-0119
 

Please join the New Hampshire Young Republicans for a Young Republican National Federation Convention Kick-off Tailgate Party!!


Hamburgers, Hotdogs and Soda provided. Please bring a lawn chair and a side to share (salad, chips, dessert etc).

If you would like something other than Soda please feel free to bring that as well.

We will have the Red Sox on the TV and radio outside so come on over for a great time!

If you could let BJ Perry (bjperry2004@aol.com)  or Kerry Marsh (kerry@spectrummarketing.com) know if you can make it that would be helpful with making sure we have enough eats but feel free to swing by as well!

Hope to see you there.

Kerry

Kerry L. Marsh
Political & Corporate Communications

Spectrum Marketing Companies
95 Eddy Road, Suite 101
Manchester, NH  03102
Phone: (603) 627-0042
Fax: (603) 627-1637
Cell: (603) 582-0119

 

BUMPED and Updated:

As was reported several days ago by Doug Lambert at GraniteGrok, NH Attorney General Kelly Ayotte has pulled out of this event.  Jim Pindell at NHPoliticalReport.com is now also reporting the same item (with no reasons given).

However, the Winnipesaukee Republican Committee blogsite is still touting AG Ayotte as their special guest speaker - the date of the post, however, is June 22, 2009 and no updates are visible.

CONCORD – Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on the passage of the Democrats’ disastrous budget:

“Governor Lynch and the radical Democrat leadership of the New Hampshire House and Senate got the budget they wanted today. They worked very hard to exclude the Republicans from the process and ignored every major spending cut the GOP tried to include in the committees, on the floor, and in the committee of conference.

“This is a disastrous budget that will have a devastating impact on New Hampshire families as they struggle to make ends meet during these difficult economic times. But as bad as this budget is for today, it is infinitely worse for New Hampshire’s future and its long-term job outlook and fiscal stability.

“In spite of Governor Lynch’s claim that his budget reduces spending, it doesn’t. It actually increases spending significantly – especially compared to what other states across the country have been doing. It is a shame the Governor couldn’t be honest about that.
                                                                                                                                                                             “In spite of what the Governor and the Legislature have said about this budget being balanced, it isn’t. The revenue projections that bring it into ‘balance’ are as fictitious as the revenue projections the Governor told us were solid and could support the 17.5% increase in spending of his last budget. We saw that the Governor had to eat those words after the November election last year as he tried to salvage that irresponsible budget with executive orders trimming back expenditures.

“But the worst part of this current budget is that it depends on onetime funding that will create an ever-recurring gap between revenues and spending programs. These include the $110 million theft of the medical malpractice fund surplus – which, in fact, may be blocked by a court injunction in the next few months as the medical profession’s lawsuit against this expropriation works its way through the court system. Furthermore, the onetime stimulus money propping up this budget will definitely not be there in the future and the Democrats’ ‘smoke and mirrors’ changes in accounting can only be performed once. All this leaves an approximately $500 million dollar continuing deficit for future New Hampshire budgets.

“This is the Democrats’ budget. This budget is absolute proof that the Democrats are ruining the State of New Hampshire.”

Concord, NH – Today, Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon issued the following statement in response to Senate passage of the proposed state budget:

"The big spenders in the legislature have once again saddled New Hampshire taxpayers with hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes and fees.  While people across New Hampshire are tightening their belts and reducing their spending, state government keeps spending freely.  Total spending for the proposed budget is up more than $ 1 billion, or more than 10%, and spending in the state's general fund, once accounting gimmicks are stripped away, is up $ 200 million, or more than 6.5%.”

Background:

The budget passed by the state Senate includes over $300 million in new taxes, including $62 million for a rooms and meals tax increase, $40 million in new business taxes, $85 million in car registration fees and a 14% income tax on gambling winnings.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
June 23, 2009   
(603) 225-9341

CONCORD – Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on the Democrats’ disastrous budget:

“The Democrats keep trying to shift the blame for their state budget disaster to the GOP.  They were able to conceal the Democratic fiscal failure in the past, but this time they can’t hide.  The Democratic spend and tax policies are ruining the State of New Hampshire.

“This New Hampshire budget problem is a reflection of budget irresponsibility in the past.  The 17% increase in Governor Lynch’s last budget created this crisis, and the Democrats avoided any serious work on the budget until the Committee of Conference last week.  Now the governor and legislature have agreed to small budget cuts which really do not make any significant impact on their over-spending.  To cover this irresponsibility, they have increased taxes, raised fees, and devastated the communities of the state by short-changing them on money the state owes to the cities and towns.  And now they are talking about selling State Parks.

“In order to save the fiscal integrity of the state, Republicans urged going back and reducing the nearly 10% increase across the budget to a 2% or 3% increase across the board, saving 7%.  But the Democrats were locked into tax increases that will destroy jobs and our economy.

“Make no mistake about it.  This is Governor Lynch’s and the Democrat Legislature’s fiscal failure.  They came into power and have created a fiscal nightmare.  The only solution is to go back and unwind their irresponsible budget increases.”

Dinner with, Executive Councilor Ray Burton, and other Republican Candidates.  Ask your questions, tell them what you think.

Where:        Masonic Lodge Hall (Main Street in  Bristol, NH - across from
                    the Irving filling station)
When:          Saturday June 20th, 2009
Time:           5:00PM to 8:00PM

 How much does it cost?  Republicans watch the bottom line.  You get this great dinner for $10.00 per person.     Children 5 - 12 years $5.00   4 and under free.  Tell the candidates what's on your mind. Questions? Contact Cindy 536-3880



 

 

 

—P. J. O’Rourke

At 1:05 a.m. on Friday, June 19th, following several days of wrangling over the state budget, the Committee of Conference on HB1 and HB2 finally arrived at a budget—but not before creating a lot of heartache for the people of our state in the way of some serious tax increases. At one point early in the day on Thursday, the deficit had grown to as much $197.7M thanks to additional spending that had even exceeded spending in the Senate version of the budget. But after revising the revenue estimates, raising several taxes, and instituting a handful of cuts, the conferees came to an agreement on an $11.6B budget.

The state budget does not include a tax on refinancing mortgages, a much-publicized entertainment tax, a capital gains tax, an estate tax, or an attempt to eliminate the BET credit against the BPT. But what the budget DOES include—and perhaps the most devastating aspect of it all—is more than $600M in one-time money that simply will not be there when the legislature crafts the next budget in two years. According to Rep. Norm Major, one of our alternate conferees, in order to offset the reliance on the one-time money, the committee should have looked toward as much as a 10% cut in spending, or $500M over the next two biennium.

When we return to the majority in two years, we will face a gargantuan task in trying to balance a budget that relied heavily on one-time money and in undoing the many wrongs of the previous four years. When our constituents or the members of the state’s business community face a reduction in income, they do not expand their business or increase family spending, they cut back — and the State of New Hampshire should have done the same! The budget will go to the Senate first, on Wednesday, before we get the opportunity to vote up or down on both HB1 and HB2. Given the increase in taxes, the use of one-time money and the lack of serious spending cuts, we will OPPOSE the budget as written and we ask you to vote no.

We have included some of the major points of this budget and, of course, we will have much more information for you at the forum on Tuesday (see box). We will also hold a Republican caucus at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday as usual, prior to the House session.

Rooms and Meals Tax—raised to 9%, even higher that the House and Senate versions and now includes camp grounds, who alone will be taxed over $9M!

School Building Aid—For the second biennium in a row, the Democrat majority has bonded school building aid ($90M), once again passing on operating costs to the credit card, leaving our children’s children picking up the tab. This is an unnecessary and aggressive approach given the current economic climate.

Boat Fees—Fees for all boats have been doubled for what is supposed to be six years, at which time they would return to their current levels—but we all know that sunsets are actually repealed in one line item in subsequent bills.

Limited Liability Corporations (LLC)—They will take a big hit in this budget by being subject to the Interest and Dividends tax, regardless of whether or not they have transferable shares.

Gambling winnings—The conference committee reinserted the 10% tax on gambling winnings, collected inside or outside New Hampshire. We will be taking a further look at this tax because of the fact that non-profits in the state will have to become tax collectors for NH.

Retirement system—The system remains on the verge of bankruptcy, this time by having new state employees contribute more to their share of retirement, while teachers and Group II members do not—ensuring continued disputes and financial insolvency for our fledgling system.

Tobacco Tax—They increased the tobacco tax by another $.48 per pack, the fourth increase in five years, bringing the total tax to $1.78 per pack.

Registration fees—They increased registration fees by $30-$75, depending upon the weight of the vehicle. This tax hurts the elderly who may only occasionally use their vehicles.

Charter Schools—While they were funded at Senate levels, an amendment was adopted by the committee which would ask the commissioner of DOE to find a way to see how enrollment laws could be changed without risking federal dollars—the conference committee all week discussed its dismay over having to increase enrollment at public charter schools and did discuss ways to eventually roll back the enrollment once the stimulus dollars disappear.

Spending reductions—Republicans on the committee offered several spending reductions over the week of negotiations, some of which were adopted and some not, including: cutting USNH budget, reducing HHS incentive funds, reducing judicial branch, reducing the state’s share of municipal retirement contributions, ordering additional layoffs or cuts to personnel related costs, reduce family resource center, cutting the CCSNH budget by $1.5M a year and several others.

Concealed Weapons—They increased the fee for out-of-state concealed weapon permits from $20 to $100. One final note to be aware of, a lawsuit has been filed by a coalition of more than 200 health care agencies and doctors who have been insured by the state Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) seeking to stop the state from taking more than $100M of the $150M held in the state-established medical malpractice fund for use in balancing the budget.

If there is an injunction forthcoming that prevents the state from using that money in its budget, it could be back to square one. We will keep a close eye on this story.

I would also like to remind everyone that the NH State Republican Committee will host Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi for a fund-raiser on Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30 p.m.until 7 p.m.at C.R. Sparks in Bedford. Contact the state committee at 225-9341 for details.

Have a great weekend. I look forward to seeing you at the Budget Forum.

-Sherm

Grant Bosse from NH Watchdog (lead Investigative Reporter for the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy) live blogged the NH Budget debate yesterday.  His reporting can be seen here.  He will also be on Meet The New Press (WEMJ 1490am, 9-11am, live streamed from GraniteGrok) to discuss his take on the budget process.

Kevin Smith of Cornerstone Policy Research and CPR-Action was on the show discussing the budget last week and former Governor and current NH GOP Chair John Sununu was on the previous week.

The committee of conference on the budget finally finished their work at 1:00 a.m. this morning.  The staff is working on the Republican Report, which will include talking points on the highlights of this budget.  The report itself  will be in the mail this afternoon, but we will also send it via email today as well.

Additionally, Reps. Kurk, Major and Scamman will be looking at the final budget over the weekend for the purpose of giving a report at our Budget Forum on Tuesday at 9 am.
In the meant time, here are few of the highlights of the budget:
 

• The Rooms & Meals Tax has been raised to 9%
• For the second biennium in a row, this Democrat majority legislature has decided to bond school building aid.
• Fees for all boats have been doubled.
• Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) are going to be taking a big hit in this budget by being subject to the interest & dividends tax, regardless of whether they have transferable shares.
• The conference committee reinserted the 10% tax on gambling winnings.
• Republicans on the conference committee offered several spending reductions over the week of negotiations, some of which were adopted and some not, including: cutting the cancer plan, cutting USNH budget, reducing HHS incentive funds, reducing judicial branch, reducing state share of municipal retirement contributions, ordering additional layoffs or cuts to personnel related costs, reduce family resource center, cutting the CCSNH budget by $1.5M a year and several others.
• The retirement system remains on the verge of bankruptcy, this time by having new state employees contribute more to their share of retirement, while teachers and group II members do not.
• They increased the tobacco tax by an additional 45 cents, the fourth increase in five years!
• They increased the registration fee $30 for most automobiles, on top of a $6 increase in the previous budget.

I hope you can make it on Tuesday. We will also be having a caucus on Wednesday morning at 8:45.
 
Thanks for your hard work.
 
Sincerely,
 
- Sherm

The committee of conference on the budget finally finished up it's business for the day at about 11PM last night.  While everything is still on the table until the final document is voted on, here is an update of what they acted upon last evening:
 

1. The conferees said "NO" to allowing expanded gambling in New Hampshire
2. They rejected a plan to implement a Capital Gains tax.
3. The voted "NO" on the Estate Tax.
4. They tentatively decided to bond $87M worth of school building aid.
5. They raised the cost for out-of-staters to get a 4-year concealed pistol permit from $20 to $100.
6. The voted no on putting a hold on the reduction of the Insurance Premium Tax.

 
Earlier in the day, the conferees also:

1. Voted to increase the cigarette tax by $.45 to $1.78 per pack.
2. They voted to double the cost of boat registrations
3. Compromised on the plan to reduce the budgets on the Status of  Women.  They cut the commission's budget in half for 2010 and gave it a grant of $1 in 2011.
4. They voted to allow LCHIP about 75% of the $4.5M the fee is expected to raise over the biennium.

The governor appeared briefly before the committee and told them that projected revenue figures for 2010 are LESS that the figures of 2004 and 10% less than 2008.   Rumors circulated throughout the evening that he would propose a 9% Entertainment Tax, but that never transpired.  But it is still "in the wind," along with a proposal to boost the Rooms and Meals Tax to 9%.
 
Once again, we will have the committee of conference staffed today and will keep you up to date as to what is happening.  As those of you who have been around for a number of years know, this is an extremely fluid situation.  Things that may have been voted down yesterday can suddenly re-appear again.  Once they figure out what kind of "hole" they have created with their spending, they are going to have to look for a  large revenue source somewhere or agree to considerable cuts in spending.  As of yesterday afternoon, though, they had actually raised spending by $3.7M over what the Senate had already spent!
 
Once gambling was defeated last night, Sen. D'Allesandro responded by blocking any effort to bring forward the estate tax and a capital gains tax by claiming that, "we should not be increasing tax during a recession!" (must be his Republican roots).  It is pretty clear that  Sen. D'Allesandro will not let go of the gambling issue without a fight.  Today should be interesting.
 
Stay tuned.  We will hold an informational forum on the final product next Tuesday at 9 AM in  Rooms 305-307 of the LOB.  I hope to see you all there.
 
Thanks
 
Sherm

We have been closely watching the Committee of Conference on HB1 and HB2 for the past couple of days and can tell you that the progress has been extremely slow, as you would expect.   This purpose of this email is to bring you up to date as much as possible as to where we currently stand---as of Wednesday afternoon.
 
HB 1, at this point, while mostly completed, still has a few major issues still to resolve.  Unfortunately, much of the Senate position has carried the day today, with additional increases having been added for Health and Human Services and the  Commission on the Status of women and men.  LCHP monies have been restored--fully in the first year with only half their dollars transferred to the General  Fund in FY11.
 
As you may have heard from yesterday's committee of conference session, the biggest blow was suffered by NH drivers who will witness a doubling in their fees.  As of this point in the discussions in HB2, the House has agreed to the Senate's tobacco tax rate.  As of 4PM this afternoon, in between the many recesses that the conferees have taken, we are waiting for the more controversial proposals in the budget--namely gambling, the re-finance tax, capital gains, the BET credit deferral and who knows what else to appear.  They still must answer the biggest question of all, "Where is all the money going to come from?"
 
Of course, the situation is extremely fluid. We will have members of our staff and leadership in attendance throughout the evening and will keep you posted.
 
Sherm

  New Hampshire House and Senate Republicans

                    News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Contact: Senator Peter Bragdon

June16, 2009                                                                                    (603) 271 - 2675

                                                                                                             House Rep. Sherm Packard

                                                                                                             (603) 271-2675

Concord, NH - Today, House Minority Leader Sherm Packard (R- Londonderry) and Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon (R-Milford) released the following statement on Governor Lynch's proposal to tax mortgage refinances.

"Taxing families and businesses looking to lower their monthly mortgage payments is a slap in the face to those trying to make it through these difficult economic times.  Instead of taxing people who are trying to hold the line with their own expenses, Governor Lynch and the big spenders in the House and Senate should learn from these families and businesses by holding the line on government spending,” said Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon.

He continued, "While New Hampshire citizens and businesses are cutting back their expenses, the Concord big spenders are proposing a 7% increase in spending.  This 'Do as I say, not as I do' attitude has got to stop."

“Governor Lynch has proposed a new and devastating tax proposal for New Hampshire,” said House Republican Leader Sherm Packard (Londonderry). “At a time when most budgets around the country have seen a reduction in spending, this governor and his spending-into-oblivion party are looking under every rock and behind every door to raise money, and now they want to tax people who need the money most; our homeowners who have worked and saved hard.  I once again call on Governor Lynch to examine specific reductions offered by Republicans in the proposed budget to get our financial house back in order.”

Background:

The current general fund budget for FY 08/09, as adjusted by actions of the governor and the legislature, is $3.107 billion.  The proposed general fund budget for FY 10/11, including the Liquor Commission (which was in the 08/09 budget, but was moved off budget for 10/11) is $3.327 billion, a 7.1% increase.

This Op-Ed piece was sent to the state's newspapers today.
 
Sherm Packard
House Republican Leader
 

While the people of New Hampshire are going about their daily lives there’s a battle of philosophies going on at the State House—one that would have the state run up a tab and then worry about where the money to pay for it is coming from and the other that would have us look at the existing revenue and live within our means.  Unfortunately, the former seems to be winning.

Perhaps Democrats serving in the Legislature should take a lesson from their constituents when it comes to budgeting, especially during these tough economic times.  Just as John and Mary Doe are forced to live within their means, so too should state government.  But instead, in the Democrat-controlled legislature, it has become about spending and not about cutting.   In the last three years it has become about raising revenue through fees and taxes and not about  living within our means.  In crafting a budget for 2010-2011 Democrats have clearly put the “cart before the horse.”

They tipped their hand on their budgeting philosophy back in April of this year when House Floor Majority Leader Dan Eaton (d-Stoddard) stood before his colleagues on the House floor and told them, “It makes sense to know how much you’re spending before you decide how much money to raise.”  I wonder how many of his constituents fill a supermarket shopping basket to the brim and then try and figure out where the money is coming from to pay for everything once they get to the checkout counter?  It’s not the way our citizens run their family budget and state government should take a lesson.

The question among the conferees who are currently deciding between the House and the Senate budget seems to be to spend at the high House level or the much higher Senate level.   When they should be discussing cuts, Democrats continue to talk about increases in spending and even higher taxes.  The philosophy among State House Democrats for the past three years has been to spend first, raise taxes later and not to worry how much has been spent—once again putting the proverbial cart before the horse. In fact, they have increased General Fund spending by nearly 24% since they were given control of the two chambers three years ago. Republicans, on the other hand, believe that we should first see how much revenue we have, without inflating the figures, and then adjust our spending accordingly to live within our means—just as the people of New Hampshire must do in their everyday lives.

The overall budget for the House for the two-year biennium is $5,002B while the Senate budget in General Fund dollars is $5,082B.  However, the Senate added another $75M when they removed the liquor commission and placed it into a separate fund, leaving the difference between the two budgets in general fund dollars at about $155M.

In the court of public opinion, the discussion should not be whether we pass more taxes or turn to gambling to solve the budget crisis, but where we should cut in order to live within our means.  In the end, Rep. Eaton got it backwards because it really makes more sense to decide how much money we have raised before deciding how much to spend.  I believe that the people of New Hampshire have seen enough of the spend-and-tax Democrats and are looking to replace them with prudent Republicans who will spend less and lower state taxes.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
June12, 2009   
(603) 225-9341

CONCORD – Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on the budget process:

“As the budget process enters its final weeks, Governor Lynch and the liberal Democrat House and Senate Leadership keep focusing on the wrong choices for New Hampshire. They are trying to pose a false choice between job-killing new taxes and gambling. The real focus should be on cutting spending.

“The National Governors Association recently reported that governors across the country on average, have reduced general fund spending by 2.5% this year on top of a 2.2% reduction in their 2009 budgets. That’s a total cut of spending of nearly 5 % on average in states across America. There is no reason why New Hampshire cannot be as fiscally responsible for our citizens.

“When Governor Lynch says he ‘does not support across the board spending cuts’ he is using a weak and lazy excuse to avoid making the tough but necessary budget decisions. Families and businesses throughout New Hampshire have had to make across the board cuts to deal with these tough economic times.

“The only hope we have is that the last time Governor Lynch said he didn’t support something – same sex marriage – lo and behold we got same-sex marriage. New Hampshire should get so lucky on spending cuts.”

BACKGROUND:

Governor Lynch Has Refused To Make Across The Board Budget Cuts During These Tough Economic Times:

• Associated Press: “Lynch said he does not support an across-the-board spending cut as a solution. He called that option ‘simplistic and poor financial management.’” (6/11/09)

But The Non-Partisan National Governor’s Association Reports That Governors Across The Country Are On Average Cutting General Fund Spending By 2.5%:

• National Governors Association: “In fiscal 2009, state general fund expenditures declined 2.2 percent—the first decline in actual state general fund spending since 1983. Likewise, governors' recommended budgets for fiscal 2010 represent a 2.5 percent decrease in general fund expenditures, which would mark the first time actual state spending declined two years in a row.” (6/4/09)

Governor Lynch Has Approved Irresponsible Budgets That Have Increased General Fund Spending By 5% And 17.5%:

• Union Leader: “The first budget under Lynch raised state general fund spending by 5 percent. The second one raised it by a whopping 17.5 percent…” (6/10/09)

The Current Budget Proposal Increases General Fund Spending By About 7%:

• Union Leader:  “…and next year's increase looks to be in the neighborhood of 7 percent.” (6/10/09)

When Frank Tilton, Chair of the Belknap County Republicans, says:

People ought to listen! 

As a result, there will be no monthly gathering of the Belknap County Republicans this month.

On the other hand, when Frank Tilton says:

People ought to listen....and DO! 

He asked to pass this message along:

And adds:

"Cruise went well. Thanks to all the good Republicans (and a few democrats) for the turn-out."

CONCORD – Senator Jeanne Shaheen this week announced that after decades of supporting traditional marriage, she has flip-flopped her position and come out in favor of same-sex marriage - only after it became law in New Hampshire. Shaheen joins other Granite State Democrats, including Governor John Lynch, who have caved into pressure from the radical left of their Party, and changed their stance on the issue

As Governor, Shaheen “condemned” same-sex marriages and clearly stated that she believed that marriage should only “exist between a man and a woman.” She also rejected civil unions, and vocally opposed Vermont’s first in the nation civil union law.

“After having clearly opposed same-sex marriage and civil unions for decades, Jeanne Shaheen is ‘pulling a Lynch’ and caving into pressure from the radical left of her Party. This is another example of how unprincipled, deceitful and dishonest the New Hampshire Democrat Party has become,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “New Hampshire voters are now beginning to realize that the Democrats are more than willing to say one thing during the election season and then break their word once they are in office.”

Governor Lynch had also opposed same-sex marriage during his campaigns for office before signing legislation on Wednesday that legalized it.

BACKGROUND:

Jeanne Shaheen Has Been A Strong Opponent Of Same-Sex Marriage:

•  Jeanne Shaheen “condemned” same-sex marriage: “Gov. Jeanne Shaheen yesterday condemned homosexual marriages. ‘I believe that marital unions should exist between men and women,’ Shaheen told reporters, when asked how she felt about the civil unions law.” (Union Leader, 4/27/00)

Jeanne Shaheen Opposed Civil Unions:

• Jeanne Shaheen Opposed Vermont’s Civil Unions Law: "I don't support Vermont's law," Shaheen said. (Union Leader, 4/27/00)

• Shaheen Reaffirmed Her Opposition To Civil Unions: “Shaheen had said in April that she did not support the Vermont law and felt that marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman.” (Union Leader, 10/27/00)

This Week, Shaheen Flip-Flopped Her Position On Same-Sex Marriage And Defended Governor Lynch’s Flip-Flop:

• Shaheen Now Supports Same-Sex Marriage: "I congratulate Governor Lynch and the state legislature on advancing a marriage equality bill that also protects religious freedom. New Hampshire has a long history of leadership on issues of civil rights and equality, and I'm proud our state continues to lead the way in ending discrimination with this bill signing today." (Shaheen Press Release, 6/3/09)

Governor Lynch Had Clearly Opposed Same-Sex Marriage Before Legalizing It This Week:

• Governor Lynch Opposed Same-Sex Marriage: “I think the word marriage is reserved for a marriage between a man and a woman.." (Union Leader, 4/16/09)

Concord, NH – Today, Senate Republicans offered the following statement regarding the cap on charter school enrollment, which eliminates 150 students on current rosters, contained in the senate passed budget:

“The cap will have the effect of turning our backs on kids that stand to benefit most from this type of education.  This will devastate the kids and their families and tarnish New Hampshire’s reputation as being innovative and creative in educating our children,” said Senator Carson (R-Londonderry).

Republicans offered an amendment to remove the cap on charter school enrollment, which the Senate Democrats defeated.

New Hampshire Senate Republicans

               News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  Contact: Senator Peter Bragdon

                       June 3, 2009                                                                          (603) 271 - 2675



Concord, NH – Over $250 million in new taxes will by paid by New Hampshire citizens, following today’s vote in the state senate.  The vote was on HB 1 and HB 2, the proposed state budget, which increased general fund spending by 8.8%.

“The big-spending Democrats are passing hundreds of millions of dollars onto New Hampshire taxpayers.  Rather than increase spending 8.8%, Senate Democrats should hold the line on spending and thus hold the line on taxes,” said Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon (R-Milford).

Republicans made several attempts to remove new taxes on businesses and individuals, but these efforts were rejected.  The Republican proposals included eliminating $80 million in new business taxes, $40 million in taxes on the tourist and hospitality industry, $50 million in local property tax increases caused by the loss of revenue sharing and $75 million in new tobacco taxes.

“The only solution Democrats offer is higher spending of nearly $1.2 billion and unfortunately supported by higher taxes.  This is exactly the wrong time to tax New Hampshire citizens and discourage our businesses from creating jobs,” said Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro).

“Higher spending and increased taxes in a recessed economy are part of the Democrats’ liberal agenda, showing they are out touch with New Hampshire voters.  If Governor Lynch signs this budget as passed today, our budget will look like Massachusetts’s in the next biennium,” said Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
June 3, 2009   
(603) 225-9341


CONCORD – Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on Governor Lynch breaking his word and legalizing same-sex marriage:

“Up until the very last minute I had hoped that Governor Lynch would keep his word and veto the same-sex marriage bill. Unfortunately the Governor has let down the people of New Hampshire by making a calculated political decision and failing to honor his commitment.

“What makes this situation even more disappointing is that the Senate had to break their rules to get this bill to the Governor’s desk. This makes it tainted legislation all around.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
June 1, 2009   
(603) 225-9341


CONCORD – Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on Governor Lynch’s disastrous real estate tax proposal:

“Governor Lynch’s plan to make homeowners and businesses who refinance their mortgages pay a huge real estate transfer tax is another example of how out of touch he is with what is happening in New Hampshire. Even President Obama has encouraged homeowners to take advantage of lower mortgage rates to refinance their payments and ease their burden during these very tough financial times.

“Governor Lynch however seems to feel that overburdened mortgage payers should help bailout his disastrous budget. This latest tax gambit by the Governor, when added to his other desperate tax increases, underscores the fact that when the state needs a real governor, there really is no governor to be found.

“ ‘Nice’ works when there are no problems, but today in difficult times New Hampshire could really use some leadership.”

BACKGROUND:

Governor Lynch Is Proposing A Disastrous Real Estate Tax Plan:

Union Leader: “If you're thinking of refinancing your mortgage, you might want to act fast. Gov. John Lynch is looking at a proposal that would tax refinancings the same way we now tax real-estate transfers.” (5/31/09)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GOVERNOR LYNCH’S DISASTEROUS PROPOSAL

“Legislators — and Gov. John Lynch — are running away from reality. Lawmakers are heaping taxes on top of more taxes, while the governor is downshifting the cost of state government by denying cities and towns the aid they have historically received.”

 

PORTSMOUTH HERALD: Tell State To Cut Spending
Editorial
May 31, 2009

• The Democrats Have Proposed Budgets That “Greatly Increase[s] Taxes”: “The N.H. Senate Finance Committee has passed an $11.5 billion spending plan that would, if passed, nickel and dime us on small expenses, greatly increase taxes on our struggling businesses, and add the clatter of 13,000 slot machines to help pay for our profligate spending. And it will do this without addressing any of the long-term budget busters waiting to blow up on us in the future when we no longer have $500 million in stimulus money or $100 million from an unused medical malpractice fund.

• The Democrats Have Refused To Focus On Cutting Spending: The one thing we are not seeing is any real restructuring of our state government to dramatically bring down spending. Granite Staters like to think of themselves as frugal Yankees but this is a myth. Look at how taxes and fees are climbing, factor in our high property taxes and the whole notion of New Hampshire as a low-tax paradise begins to fall apart.

• New Hampshire Does Not Need Gambling Or New Taxes To Balance The Budget: “The fact is we wouldn't need gambling or any of these new taxes if we could just bring our spending in line.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PORTSMOUTH HERALD EDITORIAL


FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT: Anti-Business Lawmakers Must Be Stopped Now
Editorial
May 31, 2009

• The Democrats Are Threatening New Hampshire’s “Business-Friendly Environment”: “New Hampshire’s New Hampshire's reputation as a state with a business-friendly environment is at risk. It might mean a slower recovery from the recession than was previously thought. We may be in for many more months of hard times. And it is all because of an irresponsible legislative proposal.”

• The Democrats Are “Afraid To Attack” State Spending: “The Senate Finance Committee wants the Legislature to suspend the business enterprise tax credit. Why? Because members of the committee and others in the Senate and House are afraid to engage in common sense government — afraid to attack the $11.5 billion budget for 2010 and 2011 from the spending side. The lawmakers have turned to what they see as an easy escape from the budget woes created by runaway spending and overestimations of revenues.

• Governor Lynch And The Democrats Are “Running Away From Reality”: “The Legislators — and Gov. John Lynch — are running away from reality. Lawmakers are heaping taxes on top of more taxes, while the governor is downshifting the cost of state government by denying cities and towns the aid they have historically received…..

CLICK HERE FOR FULL FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT EDITORIAL

 
UNION LEADER: Budget Unreality: Spending Without Looking
Editorial
May 31, 2009

• The Democrats’ Budgets Increase Spending Instead Of Cutting It: “Each of these budgets is based upon the Dan Eaton Principle. During the House budget debate, Republicans objected to the leadership's plan to pass a spending bill first, then go for the tax hikes needed to pay for it. They said, reasonably, that the state should budget like families do, by first determining how much money is available, then deciding how to allocate it. House Majority Leader Eaton rebuffed the criticism with an aphorism: ‘It makes sense to know how much you're spending before you decide how much money to raise.’”

• New Hampshire’s Economy Will Be Devastated By The Democrats’ Budgets: “The economy is shrinking, prices are falling, and yet New Hampshire legislators are preparing to take still more money out of the already sputtering economy to pay for the budget they want but cannot afford to fund with existing revenue sources.”

• The Democrats’ Budgets Are Out Of Touch With “Reality”: “It must be nice to be able to budget without having to factor in reality or accountability.”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL UNION LEADER EDITORIAL