THOSE WHO SAY – DON’T KNOW

There’s an old political quip that “those who say don’t know, and those who know don’t say,” which could mean keep your cards close and don’t let anyone know what you have planned. The saying might be apropos for the New Hampshire Legislature and what’s presently happening at the statehouse. Specifically the intricate below the radar screen wheeling and dealing that goes into crafting a budget for the next two years.

THE PROCESS:
If we compare the budget process to a football game with four quarters, the 1st is the Governor’s proposed budget and the 2nd quarter is the House’s additions & deletions as part of their review process. Halftime occurs when it’s passed off to the Senate for the 3rd quarter and further scrutiny. The 4th quarter, which we will be entering shortly, is the Committee of Conference where members of the House & Senate Finance Committees, along with input from the Governor, roll up their sleeves to work out differences and finalize a document that will determine spending for the next two years. Normally, the closer the House & Senate are will make the process easier and indicate common agreement regarding the final amount and how much will need to be raised through taxes. Conversely, the further apart makes the process more challenging.

THE PROBLEM:
External factors & developments are often used as clear indicators to support a specific argument, as well as sometimes be used as a smokescreen to divert attention and discredit a specific course of action/initiative. This is where the plot thickens and those who “say” may not really know what’s accurate, while those who “know” may be calculatedly silent! For example – State revenues for March & April were very strong and generated about 50 million dollars more than originally expected. Interestingly, some forces opposed to increased gaming and a high-end casino are now arguing that this additional revenue means we don’t need to license a casino along the NH/MA border. Meanwhile, those supporting the Governor are suggesting that such an argument is a smokescreen and how this new found revenue is mostly a onetime 30 million dollar tobacco settlement award and what will do in the future!

Remember – the legislature’s primary job is to craft an operating budget for the next two years that will hopefully minimize the impact to the counties, cities & towns, as well as NH’s businesses and property taxpayers. Two years ago, the then radical extremist House of Representatives passed a budget that downshifted costs to municipalities & taxpayers, as well as seriously impacted services to New Hampshire citizens. Opponents argued that the budget impeded the state’s ability to adequately function and caused drastic cuts to the neediest. The memory of 7,000 protesters marching last term to the state capital is still fresh and hasn’t been forgotten, nor the horrendous cuts levied onto social services, highway maintenance, UNH, and the downshifting of millions to municipalities. Last November – these extremists were ousted by voters who wanted a more balanced and common sense approach to government. Now their elected replacements are in charge and tasked with developing a balanced budget that has minimal impact on taxpayers while improving services and the ability for government to operate.

Unfortunately, the problem is while the proposed House budget is better and represents a few baby steps forward, it doesn’t completely restore funds inflicted by the draconian cuts. Moreover, the gap between the House and Senate versions could be $150,000,000 million dollars, thus causing a major hurdle in crafting any final budget. Many supporting the Governor’s argument for additional revenue are concerned that the 2014-2015 budget may be more similar in size to the one the Dems were elected to remedy. Also, there’s the lack of loyalty issue, where by not supporting the Governor (a fellow democrat) could not only damage her, but all democrats in the next election.

RUMOR MILL:
The estimated 150,000,000 million dollar budgetary difference between the two bodies could become an insurmountable obstacle for the Committee of Conference to resolve. This could result in a worst case scenario where the next budget might resemble the previous budget everyone hated. It also raises a number of questions. If a democrat controlled House passes such a budget - what’s the difference between the two parties? How will they explain to municipalities that more downshifting could happen? What will they say to the social service agencies who believed the cavalry was enroute to their rescue? However, the biggest question might be – how could this happen? Will the House and Senate being so far apart mean another draconian budget?

SPECULATION:
Normally, this should translate into House support for Governor Hassan’s plan to expand gaming and license a high-end casino along the NH/MA border. Not only would it generate 80 million in licensing fees at a time when more revenues are needed, thus help New Hampshire to limp along and better fund some additional support to human services, and infrastructure, while having minimal impact to municipalities, business and property owners. The alternative is to remain pure and wait for a broad based tax, while throwing the governor under the bus, and face a disenchanted electorate in two years! Who knows!

CONCORD UNDERCURRENTS:

An interesting sidebar about being in the legislature is how it offers a window to what’s happening in NH. While the focus and attention has shifted to the Senate, there are a couple of issues still on the House’s radar screen that should provide a cultural marker on the State. Overall, the Session appears to have settled down and the animosity and bitterness that occurred when the extremists were in charge is gone. I attribute this to a new crop of representative, and the Speaker’s decision to integrate seating. Past practice was Dems sat on one side, and Republicans on the other separated by an invisible force-field. Now we find ourselves sitting next to members of the other party! Surprisingly, we’ve discovered they’re people just like us, they even have families! My seat mate is, about my age from northern Grafton County. He’s in his second term and seems to be a straight shooter and nice guy. Last week, he asked me if the Speaker’s behavior is really “her or an act?” He proceeded to say how last session he thought she was a rather prickly person; however he’s impressed by her ability to manage the House in a fair and professional manner. No matter who the Speaker is – it’s no easy task to manage and steer 400 egos. He then commented how he “didn’t know she had a sense of humor!” I thought about his comment and realized that the rancor that existed last term has vanished, and much of it is simply due to a change in the seating chart and opportunity to see others as people too – including the Speaker of the House!

I don’t want to mislead anyone in believing that no friction exists, or that we now routinely sit around singing Kumbayah. It’s just different now and while specific ideological divisions continue to exist, they’re now more collegial and somewhat less harsh. Among the Republicans, divisions are more noticeable – there’s the House Republican Alliance that continues the extremist-libertarian agenda of the last term, versus the more traditional “Main Street” Republicans who are more civil and approachable and would otherwise be thought of as conservatives. Interestingly, among the Democrats – the divisions are less transparent and more hidden. There is a clear inner-circle of reps loyal to the Speaker, and extremely protective of their access. Also because of last November’s election – there’s an extraordinarily large number of new legislators who as part of learning the ropes have bonded with other like minded members. Lastly, there are the more seasoned – some might say curmudgeons – such as yours truly, who tend to be cautiously suspicious. In the coming weeks, two issues (Casino Gambling & Northern Pass) may bring to light the divisions that separate House members and impact partisan solidarity, and provide a more transparent sociological snapshot on NH.

NORTHERN PASS
According to their website, Northern Pass is a proposed transmission line project to bring reliable competitively priced clean energy (hydropower) from Québec for use by residents and businesses in New Hampshire and New England. Proposed by PSNH and Hydro-Québec, the project is in the planning and permitting stage. Their goal is to enhance New England's economy by lowering energy costs and provide a foundation for long-term economic growth. Northern Pass promises 1,200 construction jobs and approximately $25 million a year in new property tax revenues to communities. Opponents are equally articulate with the mantra of “Trees Not Towers!” Much of the opposition is how the transmission lines will have a negative impact on tourism and property values. They argue that the only economic development tool left in the North Country is tourism which will be devastated by Northern Pass. Hopefully, we’ll find an agreeable solution since maintaining diverse energy sources is sound public policy, and buying energy from our neighbors is better than buying fossil-fuel from the Middle East!

CASINO GAMBLING
The other issue is Governor Hassan’s plan to establish a high-end casino along the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border, which she projects, will bring 80 million in revenue that’s needed to fund the Education and Mental Health Services that had been cut last session. Last week a new anti-casino group came forward that was heavily made up of prominent Democrats. Calling themselves Casino Free New Hampshire, they’re committed to defeating the casino bill. Among the leaders of CFNH are several affluent & prominent dems who surprisingly are openly challenging their governor, who they elected.
Watching all this unfold, I was sitting with a couple of seasoned, albeit technically “new” representatives. While technically newly elected, they’ve been politically active for decades having served as rep, senator, county-commissioner, and county attorney. Our conversation was amiable, candid and was for the most part objective in scope. While not trained as a sociologist, I noticed the one common denominator was how this Casino Free New Hampshire group consists of our more affluent members and from NH’s more well-heeled communities. Could it be they don’t connect with the challenges faced by average families in making ends meet, and paying for more programs will require sources other than increasing property taxes? So stay tuned, as I'm sure there's more to come.

Recently I was approached at the NH House by a Free Stater who wanted to ask about my record. Apparently, his group have scored me a F. While I was unprepared - and to use the videographer's own term I did conduct the interview. The following is a link to that interview that includes mis-speaks etc... Check it out here or on the Ridley Report via You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU4wKVYK7iI

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Last week the John Birch Society came to Concord to alert Representatives about what they view as one of the biggest threats to America today! According to the Birchers, there’s something called Agenda 21 that’s seeping into American society and will completely strip us of our rights! Since, all I know about the John Birch Society was that in the 60’s they were anti-communists who also opposed Civil Rights, I thought I’d attend and see firsthand who and what they were about. Actually, until a couple of years ago, when a republican state representative made known his membership, I thought the John Birch Society was defunct. Their heyday was in the 1960’s where they were viewed as a fringe extremist group best known for promoting various conspiracy theories. They were also anti Civil Rights which they described as being a tool of communism. Back then among their biggest enemies were the United Nations and something called the Tri-Lateral Commission.

If their informational forum is any indication – little seems to have changed with the JBS in the past half century (50 years). According to the Birchers – Agenda 21 is a devious attempt by the advocates of a One World Government to strip Americans of their freedoms like owning private property. However, after researching on the internet and talking with local planning and land use specialists dealing with municipal planning and community development, I learned that Agenda 21 is a planning tool dealing with sustainable development. It seems that Agenda 21 is a non-binding product of a 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The document has 40 chapters dealing with economic development and how to manage resources and the "21" in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st century.

I remember growing up how my mother and the good Sisters of Mercy used to say that “actions spoke louder than words”, and that I shouldn’t be confused by clever phrases and phony patriotism. As stated, the JBS in the 60’s were reputed to be racists & anti-civil rights, and if last week’s actions are any indication – maybe nothing’s changed. Latter in the week, while talking with an African-American State Rep, I learned not everyone was made to feel welcome. Although she had informed them she’d be attending, upon arriving she was told that she couldn’t partake in the lunch that was provided. One of the individuals at the entrance confronted her and said “who are you” and then he pulled back her coat to see if she had a legislator’s badge on her chest! Thinking they might be running short on box lunches, she proceeded to sit down but after a few opening remarks by the speaker she chose to get up and leave the event. Interestingly, I arrived after her but was provided a box lunch. Although I was unaware of what transpired, I did note that many people were leaving early, and not wanting to be late for my afternoon meeting, I also left before the speaker finished. As I was working my way across the room to the exit, I noticed that I seemed to have been the last remaining democrat in the room. If last week was any indication – not only do they seem to be still consumed with exposing non-existent conspiracies, but if the actions of these members are reflective of the organization – the racist tag may still fit. So what did I learn from my John Birch Society experience – that it was my last and I won’t be back!

ENTRANCES - EXITS
For more than two decades, I have admired Hillary Clinton. Her ability to clearly outline an issue in a logical, common sense manner has always been refreshing and explains why she was ranked one of the nation’s top lawyers. As someone who supported her for president, I was pleased when she accepted the appointment as Secretary of State. For the past four years, I’ve watched in amazement how she has crisscrossed the globe promoting American foreign policy and meeting with foreign leaders as well as regular people. I’m convinced there has never been a Secretary of State in recent history who has worked as tirelessly as Mrs. Clinton, but I was pleased when she announced she’d be stepping down after the New Year. Quite frankly, I was genuinely worried about her health and maintaining the pace. It’s clear that Hillary Clinton has set the bar pretty high for those coming behind her.

Therefore, her visit to Capitol Hill last week, as Secretary of State, to meet with Senate and House committees investigating security at US Embassies was possibly her final public appearance and finest hour. For months’ members of Congress, some who should know better, have been making a lot of noise regarding the lack of security and the death of four career Foreign Service workers including the Ambassador to Libya. Mrs. Clinton stared them in the eye and took no prisoners. Displaying a spectrum of emotions – from taking naughty school boys to the proverbial wood shed – she clearly outlined the administration’s position as well as provided a very human touch. I don’t know what the future will bring her – but last week she exited with style and class.

Free State = No State

I find it interesting how incidents that get a lot of attention by NH politicos, often receive minimal notice outside the statehouse. One incident that has been under the general public’s radar screen is a December blog posted by a state rep who wrote that among the biggest problems facing the state is the Free State Movement, and how she supposedly is prepared to draft legislation that would make it more difficult for them to operate. Apparently, she wrote that “Free Staters are the single biggest threat the state is facing today. There is, legally, nothing we can do to prevent them from moving here to take over the state, which is their openly stated goal. In this country you can move anywhere you choose and they have that same right.” Hardly anything terribly offensive so far, but then she added that “what we can do is to make the environment here so unwelcoming that some will choose not to come, and some may actually leave. One way is to pass measures that will restrict the” freedoms” that they think they will find here. Another is to shine the bright light of publicity on who they are and why they are coming.” While I certainly don’t endorse taking away anyone’s freedoms, I don’t especially want to silently standby and watch as an outside group attempts, under the radar screen, to infiltrate government and take over New Hampshire. Furthermore, if I happened to live in Cheshire County, like the rep that authored the article, where individuals claiming to be Free Staters routinely disrupt Keene City Council meetings, or regularly hold marijuana smoke fests as a common occurrence on the Keene City Common, maybe I too would also be a little less diplomatic.

In looking at the uproar her article caused among the conservative side of the political spectrum, one would have thought that she was promoting internment camps and soviet style gulags. The upshot was a tsunami of rancor erupted – even Rush Limbaugh got in the act attacking and chastising the representative for suggesting that freedoms be denied and the insensitivity of her comments. Who knew Rush was so sensitive!

Perhaps, you’re asking who and what is the Free State Movement? In researching them, I googled the term and according to Wikipedia “the Free State Project (FSP) is a political movement, founded in 2001, to recruit at least 20,000 libertarians to move to a single low-population state (New Hampshire, selected in 2003) in order to make the state a stronghold for libertarian ideas.” I then learned that participants sign on and commit that they will move to New Hampshire. Apparently, as of January 2013, over 13,000 people have signed this statement of intent, and now have five years to move here. It seems that the Free-State movement was started by a Yale PhD student who advocated getting a relatively small number of like minded people (20,000) to move to a place (New Hampshire), who would put in motion a process that would result in their taking over the State and implement a libertarian society. Needless to say the idea of a group of people moving here under the radar screen and taking over is very troubling.

The background article went on to state that in 2010, at least 12 "Free Staters" were elected to two-year terms in the 400-member New Hampshire House of Representatives. Interestingly, how many survived the last election and if any new “colleagues” were elected is not fully transparent, since when it comes to elective politics free staters tend to keep a low (invisible) profile. For the most part, they rarely admit when running for office that they’re FS or fellow travelers committed to libertarian principles. Although a few were publically exposed last session, after being discovered they opted to not run for re-election. Despite these bait & switch tactics, we do know that this past election at least two new free staters have been outed. Interestingly they ran as democrats, so we should assume that political affiliation (party) does not matter – Free Staters will run as anything that will get them elected. According to all accounts, Free Staters support a libertarian philosophy that advocates for a radical redistribution of power from the state to individuals. Translation: government programs for the least among us would be no more – everyone would be on their own.

The migration of people to New Hampshire is nothing new – foreign immigration from Canada and Europe in the 19th century is what built this state. The 20th Century movement of people from other parts of the country to the Granite State, as well as the influx of new foreign immigrants, has only made us more diverse and successful. However none of these groups came to “take over” – nor did they hide who they were and why they came. So, in closing, the most alarming fact about the Free State movement is concealing from us, the electorate, who they are and what they plan to implement that makes this most disconcerting. So remember - remain resolute.

PRIMARY OBSERVATIONS:

ROCKWELL MOMENT:
Norman Rockwell, the 20th Century American painter and illustrator, is famous for capturing everyday American Life on canvas and last Tuesday, as I entered Ward 3 to vote, I experienced my own rockwellian moment! The Disnard School Auditorium had been transfixed into an election precinct with neatly installed voting booths, registration tables, updated checklists and appropriate signage – everything was in place serving as a perfect reflection on everyday American life!

I was especially struck by the sense of tradition and tightness demonstrated by the election officials – not only was everything in tip-top shape, but the election personnel were ready to do their duty. My second observation was that elections’ in Ward 3 Claremont are very much family events. The Ward Clerk (Brenda Saunders) had her granddaughter (Elyse Gagnon) working as a ballot clerk; the two moderators overseeing cast ballots was former County Commissioner Donald Fontaine and his son Don, a retired Claremont police captain; two of the Checklist Supervisors were Ann and Melissa Richmond (mother & daughter); and to round things out, two of the other ballot clerks were sisters (Marcelle Obymako & Claire MacDonald). Then just to make the image complete, their brother (Joe LaPointe) and his wife arrived to vote to make it truly a family event. While I’m sure this was replicated throughout New Hampshire, it was (for me) a moving Rockwell moment and testimony of Americans exercising their right and doing their duty

WIN / LOOSE:
Maggie Hassan and Ovide LaMontagne, after the dust settled last week, emerged as victors and their respective party’s candidate for governor. Former Senator Hassan ended with a strong showing over her nearest rival former Senator Jackie Cilley who had been thought to be rising in the polls during the final weeks. Senator Hassan did exceptionally well in her home county of Rockingham and equally well in Hillsborough County. While Jackie Cilley had some of the most passionate supporters and creative commercials, her opponent’s decision to run a centrist campaign that included a steady approach of fundraising and building an organization proved successful. Locally, Jackie Cilley did very well in Lebanon and won two of the three wards in Claremont, however that was not enough to offset Maggie Hassan’s big win in heavily populated Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. Now a question being asked is will Hassan be able to replace the funds she spent in the primary to beat back the Cilley surge.
Meanwhile, on the Republican side – Ovide LaMontagne easily won the gubernatorial primary over his 35 year old challenger Kevin Smith, who from all accounts appears to have a very promising future in conservative party politics. Lamontagne was described, by MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews, as a class act in the way he handled his defeat to Kelly Ayotte for the United States Senate. His reputation of being a nice and good man is well founded. Ovide is what the old mémères would describe as someone who’s “mother taught him well” – i.e. manners and politeness. An interesting side bar is, if successful, Mr. LaMontagne will be New Hampshire’s first governor elected of French-Canadian ancestry. Although several, over the years, have tried and run for the office (e.g. Bussière, Raiche, Grandmaison), and while franco-americans account for about 35% of the state’s population, New Hampshire has never elected a governor of French-Canadian ancestry. Interestingly, since Franco-Americans have traditionally been democrats, perhaps having a candidate running this time as a republican might make a difference – then again maybe it just says such things as ethnic politics have run their course.

CT VALLEY SCENE:
Representative David Pierce, from Etna, won the democrat nomination for the new State Senate District 5 seat over his challenger former Representative Sandra Harris. While she won her hometown of Claremont, David Pierce made an extremely strong showing in his home community of Hanover.

On the Republican side – Representative Joe Osgood trounced his opponent Cynthia Coolidge Howard to be the Republican Party’s senate nominee in November. Both Pierce and Osgood have pledged to run campaigns based on issues and policies for New Hampshire’s future. Certainly, it has been a long time since we’ve had two candidates with such divergent and opposite views regarding New Hampshire’s future. It should prove to be a very interesting and informative campaign.

PERSONAL NOTE:
When I woke up last Tuesday morning, I was unopposed running for the New Hampshire House of Representatives; however by the end of the day I discovered I now have two opponents – Richard Madigan, a retired banker, and Gerry Donatelli, a musician! While they came up short of securing the necessary write in votes to be placed on the Republican ballot, they did each get 150 residents/voters in Ward 3 to sign a petition in order to be on the November ballot as independent candidates. These petitions were submitted to the NH Secretary of State’s Office a couple of weeks ago.

So while I’m disappointed and torn about not getting an opportunity to run unopposed – having two opponents certainly fits nicely into the American image of a Norman Rockwell moment –that is (of course) assuming that I win in November.
So stay tuned!

VALLEY OBSERVATIONS

Last week was the Democrat National Convention and on Wednesday the featured speaker was my old boss, President Bill Clinton, who many consider the best political orator in the country today. We first met, in Claremont during the fall of 1991, when he came to “test the waters” regarding the NH Primary & running for president. We did a walk thru downtown Claremont and I remember being impressed by this tall, chatty and affable southerner. Noticeably even then, he demonstrated this ability to grow ideas and explain complex issues in everyday language, in a way you never thought he was talking down to you, but deep down you knew he was the smartest guy in the room. Our paths have crossed a few times since he left office and I’ve always been amazed by his ability to recall minor details from events long ago. The last time we spoke was when he came to Claremont a few years ago while campaigning for his wife who was running for president. We were at Stevens High and he leaned over the rope line and said something like when this is all over let’s go back through the downtown and show me what’s new! We retraced our route along Pleasant Street and ended up at the Java Cup – unfortunately unlike ’91, where we had strolled up the street flanked by empty storefronts and few people, this time he was mobbed with fans and well wishers. However, being the consummate politico – President Clinton enjoyed meeting everyone. So watching him last Wednesday in Charlotte – I thought who else could talk for 52 minutes on national television – ad lib half the speech – and keep the nation’s attention talking about economics and government policy! Amazing!

***
This Tuesday - September 11 is primary day in New Hampshire, so everyone needs to get out and vote for their candidate. Republicans have primary races for Executive Council, Governor, and the new State Senate District 5. The republican candidates for Governor are Ovide Lamontagne and Kevin Smith, however long time Executive Councilor Raymond Burton is facing a serious challenge from Jerry Thibodeau who has close ties with the Tea Party faction of the GOP. The State Senate District 5 race has Joe Osgood and Cynthia Coolidge Howard vying for the nomination and opportunity to face off against the democrats in November. Howard is tight with the Tea Party crowd. Among the Democrats, there are three active candidates for governor; Jackie Cilley, Maggie Hassan and Bill Kennedy. They all seem to be good people, however Bill Kennedy may have gotten into the race too late and it seems between Cilley & Hassan. Interestingly, the only contested senate race in New Hampshire, on the democrat side, is here in the Connecticut River Valley between Representative David Pierce & former Rep Sandy Harris. The Charlestown Dems sponsored a forum last week that was very informative. Sharon Francis, a Charlestown resident, served as moderator and did a fantastic job keeping matters focused and positive. The result was a civil, substantive and informative discussion.

***
On Thursday, The County Delegation held a public hearing and special meeting regarding establishing a reserve fund. As Sullivan County’s legislative arm, the thirteen member delegation serves as the “guardian of the county purse,” so our thought was to establish a county reserve fund that would serve as a special fund to assist in capital improvements and avoid any sudden unforeseen spikes/surprises in local property taxes. Basically it would be a rainy day fund for capital projects in Sullivan County where by law, we could add to on a yearly basis. All but one of the delegation’s members supported its creation.

***
Sullivan County lost a good man last week with the death of Francis Edes – former lawyer, judge, legislator, WW2 Vet, musician, activist and most important someone who always looked out for the least among us. I first met Frank in 1980, as a young state employee tasked with establishing alcohol social detox sites around the state. Not only was I an inexperienced kid, but without a clue as what to do! Thankfully, it was guys like Frank who lent their gravitas and made the program a success.
New Hampshire had received federal money to de-criminalize public alcohol intoxication; and the thought was we’d recruit a cadre of unpaid volunteers who we’d train as special EMT’s to provide custodial care and be the first point of contact to turn around lives dependent on alcohol. Not only was I to create these sites, but I was to recruit people to staff them on a nightly basis – 7 days a week – for free! The hotshots in Concord told me to go out and recruit people in recovery, unfortunately my supervisors had forgotten that the second letter of AA stands for anonymous and a non-recovering 20 something (me) didn’t really have much credibility in that world. Here’s where Frank came into play – not only was he willing to go public as someone in recovery, he was willing to reach out to the AA community in the Connecticut River Valley and convince them that the chubby “kid” (me) was OK! FYI – Frank’s obit mentioned how he had 54 years of sobriety! Over the years, I continued to cross paths with Frank usually at various progressive political events and always marveled at his ability to be so gregarious and kind to everyone he met, although he didn’t suffer fools & phony’s lightly. It didn’t matter if you were President Clinton or someone who lived in a box under a bridge – you were treated with the same kindness. While he possessed a multitude of skills, his greatest talent was being an advocate for those most needy amongst us! His stories, laughter and kindness will be missed – RIP.