Skip: April 2011 Archives

WHAT:  Meet and Greet with Governor Haley Barbour
WHEN:  Thursday, April 14, 5-7pm
WHERE:  KRL Bantry Components, 160 Bouchard St, Manchester

Statehouse Cafeteria
107 North Main St
Concord, NH

8:30am-9:30am April 15th 2011

Come meet Businessman and author Herman Cain as he explores a run for President. A Continental Breakfast will be served and signed copies of his latest book “They Think You’re Stupid” will be available for purchase.    

Please RSVP to Matthew Murphy before April 14th at matt.murphy@hermancain.com

A ceremony to unveil a memorial bench that was crafted in the memory of former Representative Mike Whalley of Alton will be held on Thursday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m. in Representatives Hall, where it will permanently reside.   The craftsman of the bench, Mr. Jon Siegel, will be on hand for the unveiling along with members of the Whalley family.  The ceremony is open to the public, including those members of the House who worked alongside Mike during his tenure as a state representative.

Rep. Gene G. Chandler

"I understand that we can't always have what we want and it's important to pick the side that best fits our beliefs, so I am going to re-engage and do the best I can to help make a difference.  I am proud to be a conservative and to be a small part in helping the people and businesses of New Hamsphire," said Leonard.

"Fred has always been a strong conservative voice within our caucus.  I respected his reasoning for leaving the caucus in January,  but I am extremely happy with his decision to rejoin the cause," said Bettencourt.  Leonard, a freshman representing the city of Rochester, is a member of the  House  Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services committee.   

"He  has been a great asset in terms of  moving our Republican agenda forward and helping us achieve important accomplishments,  such as passing over 30 bills  reducing regulations on N e w Hampshire  businesses, making the tough decisions to fix the structural overspending in the budget and passing retirement reform all so state government can live within its means .  He has also been very active in fighting for smaller government and lower taxes for many years in Rochester and that certainly fits well into our Republican Agenda," added Bettencourt.

“I look forward to welcoming prominent leaders to New Hampshire to address important issues at this very critical time in our nation.  New Hampshire is poised to deliver the Republican nominee for President.  This is why it is so imperative to bring together those with strong ideologies who have a vision to create solutions to defeat the radical Obama agenda.  We are in the fight for the soul of our country and must return to the founding principles and encourage responsible spending to ensure that our children and grandchildren will face a future of prosperity instead of a burden of debt. ”

“When we took office in January, we made clear that our goal was to bring transformative change to state government to make it live within its means and to provide a sustainable government that encouraged economic growth. Two of the greatest successes we have had have been the passage of the constitutional amendments.

“CACR 12 was the first time an education reform constitutional amendment has passed the House of Representatives, after 15 years of trying. That is a momentous accomplishment, and we are closer than any legislature has ever been to giving the citizens of New Hampshire the chance to vote to finally restore control of education funding to elected officials, and not unelected judges.

“The other constitutional amendment, if enacted, could have an even more profound impact on ensuring limited government here in New Hampshire. CACR 6, by requiring a 3/5th supermajority to raise taxes or to bond cost, would preserve our low tax status for generations. By raising the bar for those who want to grow government to add to the burden on New Hampshire taxpayers, we will force state government to live within its means. While these two amendments would bring durable change to the face of New Hampshire if the voters pass them, we also delivered on our immediate efforts to rein in government.

“There are a number of specific accomplishments; the one I am most proud of is how we have changed the culture here in Concord. As we said when we started the budget process, we have shifted the debate away from tax and fee increases, away from more borrowing, away from more downshifting onto local property taxpayers and toward using responsible revenue numbers. The entire tone has now shifted in support of our position, and I know that the budget will reflect these values from top to bottom.

“What I also am proud of the House for achieving is the willingness of representatives to take on big challenges. Throughout this entire session, we have tackled a number of problems that have vexed the legislature for years: an education funding amendment, making the tough decisions to fix the structural overspending in the budget and passing retirement reform. This has been by far the most productive House session in my experience, and the credit goes to the members who have done the hard work in the committees and on the House floor to come up with a tremendous number of good pieces of legislation.”

“The New Hampshire House of Representatives received a mandate from the voters last November to cut state spending; reduce taxes and fees; return fiscal sanity to the state; promote economic development and create jobs; mend a state retirement system that was nearing insolvency; provide our children with an education based on excellence; protect the personal rights and freedoms of its citizens; and maintain transparency in state government. We were sent here by the people to return fiscal sanity to state government and to repair the damage that was done to the New Hampshire Advantage, an advantage that we had enjoyed within the region for many years.  It was an advantage that resulted from low taxes, smaller government, local control and a business-friendly environment.  It was an advantage that had eroded over the past four years due to increased spending, more fees and taxes, and an anti-business sentiment that sent out the message to businesses that New Hampshire is ‘not the place you want to set up shop.’.

“It is clear that our citizens have been over-licensed and our businesses overburdened and for this reason our businesses have struggled over the last four years.  We have made moves to scale back some of these stifling business regulations. We have passed 30 bi-partisan bills that will reduce regulations on business, which, in turn, will help to create the jobs that the men and women of New Hampshire are so desperately looking for.  Make no mistake about it—jobs are not something that can be created overnight.  To create more jobs we need to provide for an environment that will allow our businesses to thrive.  We believe that we have taken a giant step toward that goal through a multitude of business-friendly bills that echo the sentiment that New Hampshire is open for business again.

“We have made moves to return transparency to state government by passing a number of bills. As a result, agency spending is now posted on the state website for all to see.  We passed legislation that would allow access to accident reports involving publicly owned vehicles.  While we have focused the budget and our fiscal house, we have not lost sight of our responsibility to keep this state for our citizens.  We passed a bill to reform the early release law to keep violent prisoners behind bars. We passed a bill to expand the death penalty to cover those who commit murder during a home invasion. And, in approving the Castle Doctrine, our citizens will be able to use deadly force in the defense of themselves or their family.

“We have taken steps to protect the rights of New Hampshire parents by passing legislation that will guarantee that they will be notified should their minor child have an abortion.

“When we stood here in January and presented our agenda, we made it clear that we would remain focused on the task at hand.  Last week we passed a budget that did not increase spending, bond operating costs, or downshift further expenses to our cities and towns, and today we have presented to you evidence that the New Hampshire Legislature has listened to the people and has worked hard to deliver on the promises made.”

• Passed a constitutional amendment to require a supermajority in the House and Senate to raise taxes or borrowing. (CACR 6)
• For the first time in NH history, that included more that 50 attempts in the legislature, the House passed a constitutional amendment to expand local control of education funding by returning authority to elected officials, not unelected judges. (CACR 12)

• Passed a fiscally responsible budget that, (1) was balanced by using realistic revenue figures; (2) did not increase taxes or fees; (3) does not downshift onto local property taxpayers; and (4)  does not increase borrowing, setting  New Hampshire on a financially sustainable path will allow our economy to grow and create more jobs. (HB 1 & 2)
• Passed an education funding formula that maintains existing levels of aid to communities and allows additional targeted aid to needy cities and towns.   (HB 337)
• Passed a bill to allow local communities to enact tax and spending caps. (HB 341)

• Passed a small business tax cut to protect reasonable compensation from the business profits tax.
• (HB 557)
• Passed a cigarette tax reduction to make New Hampshire more competitive in the region and enhancing cross-border sales. (HB 156)
• Passed legislation eliminating a tax on gambling winnings that was costing the state revenue. (HB 229)
• Passed a bill to reduce electricity costs by repealing the state’s cap-and-trade program. (HB 519)
• Passed numerous bills reducing regulations on business, which in turn will help to create more jobs for New Hampshire workers. (HBs 26, 30, 95, 109, 117, 133, 136, 141, 142, 143, 155, 173, 230, 248, 262, 276, 289, 291, 322, 333, 381, 404, 441, 450, 488, 503, 540, 570, 617, 651)
• Passed Right-to-Work legislation to expand opportunities to attract employers to New Hampshire
• (HB 474)
• Passed legislation to create an innovation business job growth function in the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority to promote venture capital and job growth throughout the state. (HB 605)

• Passed a bill to expand the death penalty to cover those who commit murder during a home invasion.
• (HB 147)
• Passed a bill to reform early release law to keep violent prisoners behind bars and restore discretion to the parole board for those who re-offend. (HB 524)
• Passed legislation allowing law abiding New Hampshire residents to carry concealed weapons without requiring a permit. (HB 330)
• Passed a bill to allow the Castle Doctrine which permits the use of deadly force in the defense of oneself. (HB 210)
• Returning transparency to NH state government:
• Passed a bill to open up records of annulments of crimes. (HB 82)
• Passed legislation to post agency spending information on state website. (HB 331)
• Passed a bill to allow for the recording of law enforcement officers while working. (HB 145)
• Passed a bill to allow access to accident reports involving publicly owned vehicles. (HB 347)
• Passed legislation to have state government use open source software. (HB 418)

• Passed a bill to overhaul the state’s lower court system. (HB 609)
• Passed legislation to move the state pension (HB 580) and retiree health plan (HB 231) back toward financial solvency.
• Passed a reorganization of state agencies to promote streamlining of functions and easier access for our citizens. (HB 635)
• Passed a bill to enact a performance-based measurement system for state government. (HB 508)
• Passed a bill to consolidate the Racing and Gaming Commission into the Lottery Commission. (HB 348)
• Passed legislation prohibiting the use of preferences for race, sex, religion or sexual preferences in state hiring. (HB 623)

• Passed legislation to require parental notification prior to a minor having an abortion. (HB 329)
• Passed a bill to ensure that students are not forced to attend schools teaching material which parents find objectionable. (HB 542)

• Passed a bill to allow small schools more flexibility to develop staffing plans that meet their students’ needs. (HB 290)
• Passed legislation to allow school to receive accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. (HB 130)
• Passed a bill to allow teachers to protect themselves and stop disruptive students from injuring classmates. (HB 375)
• Passed a bill to allow schools more flexibility in transportation options in transporting students. (HB 172)
• Passed legislation allowing charter schools to receive support for leased space. (HB 505)

• WHAT - Barnstead-Alton Republican Committee (BARC) Meeting
• WHERE - J.J. Goodwin's Restaurant, 769 Suncook Valley Highway (Rt 28), Center Barnstead (603-364-9780)
• DATE - Tuesday, April 12
• TIME - 6:30 pm (or better yet, why not arrive at 5:30 or so to have dinner - at your option - and socialize)

“Governor Lynch’s willingness to stick to his guns on his overinflated revenue estimates, even though they have been resoundingly discredited by House Republicans and Democrats alike, is fiscally irresponsible.  I marvel at the Governor’s commitment to      bringing back the $30 car tax,  adding  new fees and downshifting $150 million onto the local property taxpayers despite the fact that these  clearly  are non-starters for House members across party lines.  It takes a lot of courage to keep advocating for ideas that are opposed in a bipartisan fashion and proven to be failures, and he deserves credit for that.  He continues to ignore the fact that the people of this state are sick and tired of the tax and spend mentality of the last four years.”
 
“The House Republican budget delivers on the promises that we made to the voters.  Unlike the Governor’s budget, it includes no tax or fee increases, no downshifting and realistic revenue estimates.  It also does not have any bonding or accounting gimmicks like the ones that were a hallmark of Governor Lynch’s prior budgets.  We are very proud to have live up to our commitments and we know that the taxpayers of New Hampshire support this effort to move our economy forward again,” concluded Bettencourt.