Well to paraphrase Garrison Keillor regarding Lake Wobegon – “it has been slow this week down to the State Capital.”
After a thug fest of pushing through an irresponsible reckless budget followed by name calling to the RC Bishop and threats to the church’s nonprofit status – the Speakah issued an email edict to all republican reps and told them to be silent and there was silence! E-mails by reps immediately ceased and inflammatory ranting by tea baggers has been tepid. All appears quiet in Concord.
Perhaps it was planned to lessen the intensity and slow things down, but after a two week hiatus – the lower house of the NH General Court was called back to Concord. This past Wednesday, Representatives were serenaded by bag pipers (Tartan Day) and except for resignations by a couple of non-apologetic republican members, the only political act to speak of was a clever game of word smithing where we learned a fee is not a fee – it is now a tuition!
A FEE BY ANY OTHER NAME…
SB 66 which had been on the consent calendar having passed easily in committee was pulled and amended on the floor. Reason – it called for a fee (Tea Bag talk: fee = tax). The present gang of radical extremists in control apparently refuses to vote for anything that has a fee or tax attached – so the amendment changed the word fee to tuition and then all was right and the bill passed by a voice vote. But don’t be tricked – a fee by any other name is still a fee!
This is just one clearer example of this crowd’s understanding – or perhaps lack of understanding on how New Hampshire has been operating for over a hundred years. NH’s entire revenue system is for the most part based on the Property Tax, a couple of Business Taxes and a ton of fees to pay for designated programs. The System has been in place for a long time and was crafted by past republican controlled frugal Yankee Legislatures.
Among the best examples of this is the Highway Betterment Fund which has now been cut $45 million ($90m for the biennium) by the GOP Radical Extremists. Last session the House increased the fee for vehicle registrations to specifically fund bridge repairs and pave highways (including city & town roads. However – now thanks to the GOP Radical Extremists we will be on a 28 year road paving cycle! Yeah – once a road is paved – it won’t be paved again for 28 years – a giant step backwards! These funds used to go to cities & towns – so now when your local taxes go up because there will be no state assistance to fill potholes – thank a republican rep. Note: no democrat voted for this budget!
DON’T LET THE TRUTH GET IN THE WAY OF A GOOD STORY
I am now convinced that the more things change – the more they stay the same, and that this crowd will continue to follow their less than factual play book.
Last election – the republicans did an effective job of linking NH Government with their counterparts on the federal level in Washington DC. Consequently, people believed that NH spending was out of control and like “Heney Penny” was told that the financial sky was falling! Regardless of the fact that there was a global recession going on, and that all the national experts said how NH was being better managed than most other states and countries.
So now – following the same game plan of why let truth get in the way of a good story – they have linked spending & the deficit in Washington with spending in NH. Yes today’s mantra is “we have a spending problem!” So what if the elderly, mentally ill, children, poor, public employees and cities & towns get caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile they’ll just cut revenue streams – oops sorry – too bad! Social Darwinism rears its ugly head and Ayn Rand is now the tea baggers political patron saint!
The chant is “it’s not a revenue problem, it’s a spending problem!” This of course is just sophistry. Even one of my local papers (Eagle Times 4/16/11) stated in an editorial that “while catchy” such language is “hogwash.” The editorial went on to say that no one has the intestinal fortitude (their term was guts) to seriously look at both spending and revenue. NO – we’d rather play word games with tuition vs. fees and walk away from anything resembling being responsible!
STATES RIGHTS & THE CIVIL WAR!
I would like to end on a positive note – at least partially positive.
At the end of Wednesday’s session – Representative Campbell, (d) Nashua rose and addressed the House under Personal Consent. He pointed out how the Civil War started 150 years ago this week (April 12) and how New Hampshire has a long tradition of standing tall for justice.
He further brought our attention to the portrait of U.S. Senator John Parker Hale that is displayed in Reps Hall. Apparently Hale, a Republican, was the 1st senator elected as an abolitionist and was a key person in freeing the nation from slavery. Rep Campbell continued by providing an overview of how Hale’s family has served NH up to the present era and how former Republican Representative Jack Chandler was a direct descendant.
My own knowledge of Senator Hale is that he was raised and influenced by an uncle – John Parker – who had the distinction of being appointed by President Washington as the first United States Marshal for New Hampshire. Furthermore, how as a patriot, John Parker was the first person to read the Declaration of Independence aloud to the citizens of NH in 1776.
Some might find it odd that a Democrat Campbell would inform the 3:1 republican House about this early Republican – however, let us not forget that these radical extremists are not your father’s brand of republican either. In light of all this talk about nullification and States Rights – some wonder, especially in light of their vehemence against the federal government, if they would have voted to support the Union in ‘61!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
House Budget Cuts Will Affect All of NH
The following Op-Ed piece is by Representative David Campbell. A resident of Nashua - he is originally from neighboring Newport NH.
House Budget Cuts Will Affect All of NH
By Rep. David B. Campbell (D-Nashua)
I was born and raised in Newport, New Hampshire a half-century ago and since college have lived in Nashua. Throughout my lifetime, New Hampshire has been, for the most part, a Republican state and our state budgets (except for the last two) have been adopted by Republican legislatures. New Hampshire Republicans created the structure that is currently our state government, which has historically been conservative and frugal.
In the four years that the Democrats were in the majority, we did not add any new social programs, or change the structure that was largely dismantled by the recent House budget, but we, like the Republican legislatures before us, did fund these programs at respectable levels. Over the decades, it was these successive Republican legislatures that put a social safety-net in place, maybe not as tight a safety-net as some Democrats wanted; but over the years, Republicans have tried to take care of New Hampshire’s neediest citizens.
The recently adopted House budget drastically reduces funding and totally eliminates gigantic portions of that safety-net. I submit that this budget breaks the long-standing social contract between our state government and its people. It breaks faith, not only with the people directly affected by these cuts, but with the rest of the citizens of our state as well. Remember, the social safety net not only holds the needy up, but it also keeps them from dropping through that net and crashing in our society, landing in our towns and on our streets.
This budget didn’t just reduce funding levels; it eliminated or drastically cuts-back programs for thousands of children in need, thousands of domestic violence victims, and thousands with mental illness or who are developmentally disabled. It devastates programs for child care, Head Start, nursing home and Alzheimer care, vocational and post-secondary education and job training for the unemployed.
This is the ultimate DOWNSHIFT to local communities and property taxpayers. What is going to be the societal impact in our cities and towns with these programs eliminated or financially crippled? Add to this the volatile and dangerous combination of newly passed legislation that lowers the high school dropout age, allows individuals from age 18 to conceal handguns without permits, while simultaneously cutting the number of State Police officers.
This budget will put tremendous new and costly pressure on our local police forces, welfare departments, school systems, charities, churches and our communities and citizenry as a whole. Make no mistake: we will all see the impact of this budget very close to home. This budget reshapes our New Hampshire’s government, into a state that shows little or no compassion for its neediest citizens, while failing to protect the rest of those in our state from the resulting social ills. And finally, this House approved budget has vilified our public employees, including teachers, police and firefighters; and pits public workers against the very government that employs them. This is not the New Hampshire that I was born and raised in.
We the people of New Hampshire must ask ourselves: is this the kind of state government we want? Is this the kind of society that we want to live in? At the recent State House rally, the voices of thousands of people, who were directly affected by this budget, went unheeded. It will take a louder voice from the New Hampshire’s residents who are indirectly, but still dramatically and personally affected by this budget, to make a real difference.
House Budget Cuts Will Affect All of NH
By Rep. David B. Campbell (D-Nashua)
I was born and raised in Newport, New Hampshire a half-century ago and since college have lived in Nashua. Throughout my lifetime, New Hampshire has been, for the most part, a Republican state and our state budgets (except for the last two) have been adopted by Republican legislatures. New Hampshire Republicans created the structure that is currently our state government, which has historically been conservative and frugal.
In the four years that the Democrats were in the majority, we did not add any new social programs, or change the structure that was largely dismantled by the recent House budget, but we, like the Republican legislatures before us, did fund these programs at respectable levels. Over the decades, it was these successive Republican legislatures that put a social safety-net in place, maybe not as tight a safety-net as some Democrats wanted; but over the years, Republicans have tried to take care of New Hampshire’s neediest citizens.
The recently adopted House budget drastically reduces funding and totally eliminates gigantic portions of that safety-net. I submit that this budget breaks the long-standing social contract between our state government and its people. It breaks faith, not only with the people directly affected by these cuts, but with the rest of the citizens of our state as well. Remember, the social safety net not only holds the needy up, but it also keeps them from dropping through that net and crashing in our society, landing in our towns and on our streets.
This budget didn’t just reduce funding levels; it eliminated or drastically cuts-back programs for thousands of children in need, thousands of domestic violence victims, and thousands with mental illness or who are developmentally disabled. It devastates programs for child care, Head Start, nursing home and Alzheimer care, vocational and post-secondary education and job training for the unemployed.
This is the ultimate DOWNSHIFT to local communities and property taxpayers. What is going to be the societal impact in our cities and towns with these programs eliminated or financially crippled? Add to this the volatile and dangerous combination of newly passed legislation that lowers the high school dropout age, allows individuals from age 18 to conceal handguns without permits, while simultaneously cutting the number of State Police officers.
This budget will put tremendous new and costly pressure on our local police forces, welfare departments, school systems, charities, churches and our communities and citizenry as a whole. Make no mistake: we will all see the impact of this budget very close to home. This budget reshapes our New Hampshire’s government, into a state that shows little or no compassion for its neediest citizens, while failing to protect the rest of those in our state from the resulting social ills. And finally, this House approved budget has vilified our public employees, including teachers, police and firefighters; and pits public workers against the very government that employs them. This is not the New Hampshire that I was born and raised in.
We the people of New Hampshire must ask ourselves: is this the kind of state government we want? Is this the kind of society that we want to live in? At the recent State House rally, the voices of thousands of people, who were directly affected by this budget, went unheeded. It will take a louder voice from the New Hampshire’s residents who are indirectly, but still dramatically and personally affected by this budget, to make a real difference.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
STAND UP & BE ABUSED
Sunday morning –
April 3, 2011
At the end of Mass this morning – the priest at my church - rose and addressed the congregation to voice his outrage and shock about the recent verbal attack on the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester by a member of the NH General Court. The priest’s basic points were how could someone who claims to be a catholic be so rude and show such disrespect for the Office. He ended by asking us to pray for the General Court and this representative.
While I certainly agree that such behavior & comments are disrespectful – why should we expect anything else from a group of individuals who see nothing wrong in calling Firemen thugs (Yeah? The people who rush into burning homes & save lives) – Republicans who disagree with them are shunned & called RINO’s – and the term democrat is interchangeable with socialist & communist. However, among the most shocking is – the 80+ year old couple who care for their 60+ year old developmentally delayed child being treated as if they are somehow trying to scam the system! Their only crimes being fear and worry over who will care for their child after they are gone and asking for some help now to supplement the care they give 24/7. Now, I could go on and cite more examples of insults – but that isn’t necessary. The message seems to be – not only are we going to deny you help – but we see nothing wrong with insult and abuse should you disagree!
A week or so back I wrote about “Who are these People” and how the NH House of Representatives is controlled by a group intent on dismantling government and how they seem to consist of Home Grown Libertarians; Social Conservatives; and Free Staters. I went on to write that what I find especially troublesome is their – intolerance! Many appear to be affluent and seem to not have any knowledge about the needs of average NH families. Consequently, since they see the best defense as a good offense – it is only logical that they revert to branding people who are affected or disagree. They are convinced they know what’s best!
That attitude was reinforced this weekend in reading the State Legislator email thread where numerous republican representatives came to the defense of their majority leader. One a vice chair of a committee actually stated “I am a Catholic and I stand with DJ. McCormack has always been a corrupt scumbag in my book!” He goes on to write “This is one of those instances where no apology is necessary in my opinion. Why should we kowtow to a corrupt hack of a Bishop??” One concurred with: “You speak from my heart the things I cannot say not being of that faith.” Another expressed shock that the Roman Catholic Church was against the Death Penalty – “I was personally insulted a while back when the Bishop issued a statement against the death penalty, making it sound like such punishment was against Catholic doctrine.”
Of course – then there is the republican rep who wants the Bishop to “apologize to his church and to those practicing catholics that he seems to denounce.”
Now in fairness – there was one republican rep who wrote and stated the comments were wrong and that “if you want respect give respect.”
However – a telling example of this group’s belief that government does not have any responsibility for the general welfare of its citizens was provided by a rep who wrote:”Government is force, not charity. Government should be limited to protecting the rights of all people to be treated equally under the law. All people, by the way, includes the rich, the middle class, those who are struggling and anyone else. Charity comes from the hearts of individual people acting on their own free will…” Forget that charitable organiztions in NH presently provide 500 million in charity statewide and would have to double that amount to fill the gap created by this budget.
So Government is force and has no business in providing a social service net: is this what we want for NH & is this what you really voted for last November?
April 3, 2011
At the end of Mass this morning – the priest at my church - rose and addressed the congregation to voice his outrage and shock about the recent verbal attack on the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester by a member of the NH General Court. The priest’s basic points were how could someone who claims to be a catholic be so rude and show such disrespect for the Office. He ended by asking us to pray for the General Court and this representative.
While I certainly agree that such behavior & comments are disrespectful – why should we expect anything else from a group of individuals who see nothing wrong in calling Firemen thugs (Yeah? The people who rush into burning homes & save lives) – Republicans who disagree with them are shunned & called RINO’s – and the term democrat is interchangeable with socialist & communist. However, among the most shocking is – the 80+ year old couple who care for their 60+ year old developmentally delayed child being treated as if they are somehow trying to scam the system! Their only crimes being fear and worry over who will care for their child after they are gone and asking for some help now to supplement the care they give 24/7. Now, I could go on and cite more examples of insults – but that isn’t necessary. The message seems to be – not only are we going to deny you help – but we see nothing wrong with insult and abuse should you disagree!
A week or so back I wrote about “Who are these People” and how the NH House of Representatives is controlled by a group intent on dismantling government and how they seem to consist of Home Grown Libertarians; Social Conservatives; and Free Staters. I went on to write that what I find especially troublesome is their – intolerance! Many appear to be affluent and seem to not have any knowledge about the needs of average NH families. Consequently, since they see the best defense as a good offense – it is only logical that they revert to branding people who are affected or disagree. They are convinced they know what’s best!
That attitude was reinforced this weekend in reading the State Legislator email thread where numerous republican representatives came to the defense of their majority leader. One a vice chair of a committee actually stated “I am a Catholic and I stand with DJ. McCormack has always been a corrupt scumbag in my book!” He goes on to write “This is one of those instances where no apology is necessary in my opinion. Why should we kowtow to a corrupt hack of a Bishop??” One concurred with: “You speak from my heart the things I cannot say not being of that faith.” Another expressed shock that the Roman Catholic Church was against the Death Penalty – “I was personally insulted a while back when the Bishop issued a statement against the death penalty, making it sound like such punishment was against Catholic doctrine.”
Of course – then there is the republican rep who wants the Bishop to “apologize to his church and to those practicing catholics that he seems to denounce.”
Now in fairness – there was one republican rep who wrote and stated the comments were wrong and that “if you want respect give respect.”
However – a telling example of this group’s belief that government does not have any responsibility for the general welfare of its citizens was provided by a rep who wrote:”Government is force, not charity. Government should be limited to protecting the rights of all people to be treated equally under the law. All people, by the way, includes the rich, the middle class, those who are struggling and anyone else. Charity comes from the hearts of individual people acting on their own free will…” Forget that charitable organiztions in NH presently provide 500 million in charity statewide and would have to double that amount to fill the gap created by this budget.
So Government is force and has no business in providing a social service net: is this what we want for NH & is this what you really voted for last November?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
NH HOUSE BUDGET – A TAX ON YOU & ME!
Is New Hampshire walking away from its constitutional responsibility?
“When men enter into a state of society, they surrender up some of their natural rights to that society, in order to ensure the protection of others; and without such an equivalent, the surrender is void.
Article 3 NH Constitution (June 2, 1764)
The GOP has crafted a budget that is reckless and disgraceful for the state of NH. Basically their approach is that every city & town (individual ultimately) is on their own. Affected groups and citizens across the state are voicing their concern – but are being told by the Finance Chair to “shut up & get out”. Yes, this is how we speak to those keeping us safe and believe it is acceptable to place our most needy people at risk.
Here is an overview of how this budget affects services to NH‘s most needy and dramatically shift costs to the Cities and Towns.
CAN’T EVEN LOCK ‘EM UP & THROW AWAY THE KEY:
Closes the NH State Prison in Berlin;
Eliminates the Consumer Protection Bureau – the people who just successfully prosecuted NH biggest Ponzi Scheme last year;
Cuts support for Victims of Domestic Violence – thus overwhelm local law enforcement by cutting programs in half that help victims of domestic & sexual violence;
Cuts drug & alcohol treatment for about 25,000 people which will lead to higher crime rates and increased property taxes;
Repeals the category known as Children in Need of Services (CHINS) – thus l increase the burden and costs to schools & towns, as well as force many to be prosecuted as delinquent & incarcerated at costly youth facilities;
Reduces funds to repair Bridges and Unsafe Roads, which will increase local costs & put our infrastructure at risk.
KIDS – DISABLED – ELDERS – WORKING FAMILIES – NH joins the 3rd World:
Cuts services to people with developmental disabilities, services that help them live independently and stay out of more expensive nursing homes;
Cuts access to critical heath care services;
Eliminates preventative health care for children thus send health care costs for children skyrocketing & increase emergency room visits. NH Health care will now have to be rationed;
Hospitals will face a 115 million dollar tax increase which will raise costs for individuals and businesses and kill jobs in NH;
Eliminate treatment for 8,000 people who have the most serious mental illnesses – Now these individuals will be a danger to themselves and the community.
EDUCATION IS OVER RATED – YOU DON’T NEED IT:
Cuts Head Start;
Slashes dropout prevention & vocational technical programs [note: 20% of all NH wages come from smart manufacturing and high tech business (Center for Public Policy Studies) and that these programs are key for attracting & maintaining businesses];
Reduces special education programs to the lowest allowable legal level;
Eliminates funds for statewide special education programs;
Eliminates almost one million dollars in grants to schools & local community organizations through the State Arts Development which will impact 363,000 students;
Cuts almost in half funding for the Community College & University System – [UNH System 80 million ~ Community College System 10m];
House Republicans are stealing money from college students & their families to cover holes in this reckless and irresponsible budget. This is unprecedented – ever!
NH’s RACE TO THE BOTTOM:
This budget will kill thousands of NH jobs and attacks hard working NH people struggling to support their families. Thousands of jobs will be lost that will put NH’s economic recovery at risk and cause property taxes to rise to astronomical levels.
Implements a job killing collective bargaining agreement – worse than Wisconsin, which will lead to lower wages & higher unemployment. [Done at night – with no public hearing] this is an unprecedented attack on the people who protect you, teach your children & fix your roads;
Implements a 100 million dollar income tax on public employees & working families;
Eliminates 600 jobs at the Berlin State Prison;
Eliminates the Director of Economic Development for NH. Yeah! That will show business we’re serious about economic growth;
Cuts almost 1 million from the Innovative Research Center which has created public/private partnerships that spurs innovation & creates jobs;
Forces 4,000 community businesses to lay off workers;
Cuts 10 million dollars from childcare for low income parents forcing them to choose child care over jobs thus forcing them to rely on public assistance (which will be the cities & towns);
PROMISED TAX RELIEF “SMOKE & MIRRORS”:
Republicans lied to the people of NH when they said they would not downshift or raise taxes. This irresponsible, dangerous & reckless budget will increase property taxes to historic levels and at a time when so many middle class families can least afford to take the hit.
This GOP House Budget –
Shifts the cost of state government onto local communities in the form of public safety, education & health care;
Increases costs for students, families, & businesses;
Does not lower business or property taxes;
Implements a 100 million dollar income tax on public employees & working families;
Implements a 115 million dollar increase in business taxes on hospitals [guess where these costs will be passed onto – you & me];
Creates a 16 million dollar tax loophole by firing the state auditors [the guys who presently watch out for our interests]
In this week’s NH House Calendar – the minority blurb regarding the budget was they “cannot support HB1… because the level and breadth of the cuts will threaten essential programs and services necessary. If the Finance Committee had considered a responsible revenue estimate for the next two years, the minority believes that at least $200 million of the cuts could be restored. Further the minority believes that adjustments proposed to avoid paying hospitals over $116 million of disproportionate share support is essentially a new and inappropriate business tax. Finally … that the proposed increase in retirement contributions is essentially an income tax for almost all of our public employees”
Their recommendation was the budget should be declared inexpedient to legislate and killed. Let’s see what the 3:1 GOP NH House of Representatives – The People’s House – will do this week – stay tuned!
“When men enter into a state of society, they surrender up some of their natural rights to that society, in order to ensure the protection of others; and without such an equivalent, the surrender is void.
Article 3 NH Constitution (June 2, 1764)
The GOP has crafted a budget that is reckless and disgraceful for the state of NH. Basically their approach is that every city & town (individual ultimately) is on their own. Affected groups and citizens across the state are voicing their concern – but are being told by the Finance Chair to “shut up & get out”. Yes, this is how we speak to those keeping us safe and believe it is acceptable to place our most needy people at risk.
Here is an overview of how this budget affects services to NH‘s most needy and dramatically shift costs to the Cities and Towns.
CAN’T EVEN LOCK ‘EM UP & THROW AWAY THE KEY:
Closes the NH State Prison in Berlin;
Eliminates the Consumer Protection Bureau – the people who just successfully prosecuted NH biggest Ponzi Scheme last year;
Cuts support for Victims of Domestic Violence – thus overwhelm local law enforcement by cutting programs in half that help victims of domestic & sexual violence;
Cuts drug & alcohol treatment for about 25,000 people which will lead to higher crime rates and increased property taxes;
Repeals the category known as Children in Need of Services (CHINS) – thus l increase the burden and costs to schools & towns, as well as force many to be prosecuted as delinquent & incarcerated at costly youth facilities;
Reduces funds to repair Bridges and Unsafe Roads, which will increase local costs & put our infrastructure at risk.
KIDS – DISABLED – ELDERS – WORKING FAMILIES – NH joins the 3rd World:
Cuts services to people with developmental disabilities, services that help them live independently and stay out of more expensive nursing homes;
Cuts access to critical heath care services;
Eliminates preventative health care for children thus send health care costs for children skyrocketing & increase emergency room visits. NH Health care will now have to be rationed;
Hospitals will face a 115 million dollar tax increase which will raise costs for individuals and businesses and kill jobs in NH;
Eliminate treatment for 8,000 people who have the most serious mental illnesses – Now these individuals will be a danger to themselves and the community.
EDUCATION IS OVER RATED – YOU DON’T NEED IT:
Cuts Head Start;
Slashes dropout prevention & vocational technical programs [note: 20% of all NH wages come from smart manufacturing and high tech business (Center for Public Policy Studies) and that these programs are key for attracting & maintaining businesses];
Reduces special education programs to the lowest allowable legal level;
Eliminates funds for statewide special education programs;
Eliminates almost one million dollars in grants to schools & local community organizations through the State Arts Development which will impact 363,000 students;
Cuts almost in half funding for the Community College & University System – [UNH System 80 million ~ Community College System 10m];
House Republicans are stealing money from college students & their families to cover holes in this reckless and irresponsible budget. This is unprecedented – ever!
NH’s RACE TO THE BOTTOM:
This budget will kill thousands of NH jobs and attacks hard working NH people struggling to support their families. Thousands of jobs will be lost that will put NH’s economic recovery at risk and cause property taxes to rise to astronomical levels.
Implements a job killing collective bargaining agreement – worse than Wisconsin, which will lead to lower wages & higher unemployment. [Done at night – with no public hearing] this is an unprecedented attack on the people who protect you, teach your children & fix your roads;
Implements a 100 million dollar income tax on public employees & working families;
Eliminates 600 jobs at the Berlin State Prison;
Eliminates the Director of Economic Development for NH. Yeah! That will show business we’re serious about economic growth;
Cuts almost 1 million from the Innovative Research Center which has created public/private partnerships that spurs innovation & creates jobs;
Forces 4,000 community businesses to lay off workers;
Cuts 10 million dollars from childcare for low income parents forcing them to choose child care over jobs thus forcing them to rely on public assistance (which will be the cities & towns);
PROMISED TAX RELIEF “SMOKE & MIRRORS”:
Republicans lied to the people of NH when they said they would not downshift or raise taxes. This irresponsible, dangerous & reckless budget will increase property taxes to historic levels and at a time when so many middle class families can least afford to take the hit.
This GOP House Budget –
Shifts the cost of state government onto local communities in the form of public safety, education & health care;
Increases costs for students, families, & businesses;
Does not lower business or property taxes;
Implements a 100 million dollar income tax on public employees & working families;
Implements a 115 million dollar increase in business taxes on hospitals [guess where these costs will be passed onto – you & me];
Creates a 16 million dollar tax loophole by firing the state auditors [the guys who presently watch out for our interests]
In this week’s NH House Calendar – the minority blurb regarding the budget was they “cannot support HB1… because the level and breadth of the cuts will threaten essential programs and services necessary. If the Finance Committee had considered a responsible revenue estimate for the next two years, the minority believes that at least $200 million of the cuts could be restored. Further the minority believes that adjustments proposed to avoid paying hospitals over $116 million of disproportionate share support is essentially a new and inappropriate business tax. Finally … that the proposed increase in retirement contributions is essentially an income tax for almost all of our public employees”
Their recommendation was the budget should be declared inexpedient to legislate and killed. Let’s see what the 3:1 GOP NH House of Representatives – The People’s House – will do this week – stay tuned!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Who are these People!
The statehouse news this week has centered on the GOP House Budget and projected human service cuts that will dismantle NH’s social service infrastructure – forcing a downshift of costs to the cities and towns which will result in out of control property taxes! This all leads me to ask – Who are these People – can they really be this cold, heartless and selfish!
My mother always told me as a little boy to “not stare – it wasn’t polite”, however, for the past three months, sitting in Reps Hall – at the eastern end of section IV, [an area - I call the penalty box of political hockey] – I am constantly amazed by what comes out of their mouths and cannot help but stare and continuously ask – Who are these People and where do they come from!
Unfortunately, while much has been written about the new federal legislators – little can be found about NH House members. Being one of 400 allows for a degree of anonymity – a bad thing for the publicity seeking needy, but a valued tool for those who do not want to have their agenda exposed. Even some republicans have said they don’t know anything about these new guys. Note: I say guys because they are overwhelmingly male - this session has the lowest number of women members since something like 1974. But who are they – Are they all some sort of monolithic radical extremist political Borg – who think alike, act alike and look alike? That would be too easy.
So after three months of intensive staring – I believe they are not real republicans – they’re not even real conservatives, but radical extremists who want to deregulate everything and ultimately dismantle government.
Overall, they seem to fall into a continuum of center/center-right to extreme far right. I break them down into various sub groups: Standard Main Street Republicans (an endangered species) and the rest are tea bag types, or at least fellow travelers consisting of Home Grown Libertarians; Social Conservatives; and Free Staters.
MAIN STREET GOP:
Truly an endangered species – socially moderate, fiscally responsible, “live and let live” types are now near extinction. Sadly, should they voice disagreement with what is going on; they are immediately denounced as RINO’s (republicans in name only). I heard of a conversation with a distinguished old school republican who after talking about the need for responsible government, was denounced as ‘not really being one of us!’ FYI – once upon a time the state republican platform called for an income tax - the days of Winant, Peterson and Hager are long gone – this is not your father’s Republican Party!
TEA BAGGERS:
Now to call everyone else in the majority a member of the Tea Bag Movement would be wrong. Although many seem to identify with the tagline – they do come from different start off points.
Personally, what I really find the most offensive regarding this group is NOT their adherence to an originalist interpretation of the US & NH Constitutions. No – it is their usurpation of patriotic (historic) terms and that only their interpretation is accurate – a total intolerance for anything different. Yeah – that’s what I find especially troublesome – intolerance!
I break this collective crop of representatives into the following sub-groups – Social Conservatives, Home Grown Libertarians, and Free Staters
Social Conservatives: fewer in number than in other parts of the country, nevertheless this faith based subset is highly visible and seem willing to play ball with their more secular extremist colleagues. At first blush they appear to have cut a deal and postponed the repeal of same sex marriage. While some tout this as a victory – my concern is the issue will re-surface next year and be used to motivate their base to come out and vote in the ’12 elections, thus keep their majority.
Home Grown Libertarians: buoyed by numbers that they interpret as validation for their anti poor/anti family views – this group struts around talking in code and mumbling from the NH Constitution and starting a NH Militia. I secretly suspect that they are designing special uniforms with huge gold epaulets and lots of medals.
While some are truly sincere – many don’t seem to have too strong a link to what really is happening in the world. I suspect they are being used by others intent on turning NH into some sort of radical libertarian social science laboratory.
I include in this group a large number of Massachusetts expatriates who in many ways seem to have never fully left their home state [except for paying MA taxes.] Fiercely loud at opposing any broad based taxes – they sometimes seem to want all the creature comforts and services they left behind, especially more asphalt to Boston – they just don’t want to pay for it!
Free Staters: They appear to be driving the policy bus this session – and as such are the most dangerous and most invisible. It is not that they are quiet – it is that they (for the most part) hide their identity. Few have publically come out and stated they are Free Staters. Fortunately, they do give themselves away when it’s obvious they know nothing of NH history, geography or how to pronounce words like coos or how to correctly use ‘wicked’ in a sentence.
The Free State movement is a radical libertarian group who believe that, if they can get 20,000 like minded people to move to NH, they can take over and control local and state government. This would then provide an opportunity to dismantle government and experiment with their radical libertarian theories. Now – I know that I risk sounding like some kind of conspiracy theorist, but just look at what has been going on this session! I believe we are seeing the first wave of these interlopers who believe they know better than us – on how to run New Hampshire.
So who are they, and how do we expose them? If they were all a bunch of bomb throwing bullies we could easily tag them, however, many appear to be almost soft spoken – it’s only when they talk about guns that you see the intensity. In looking through the Blue Book it seems many suspected FS’s are educated possessing some social skills. Many also seem to be very tech savvy – maybe they have spent too much time alone before a computer screen communicating only with like minded souls. Actually this might be the crux of the problem – being affluent, and spoiled; they don’t have any knowledge about the needs of average NH families. All they care about are themselves and since they only know and talk to like minded people – they are convinced they know what’s best!
The Other ‘Real’ NH:
Allow me to compare this with a meeting I attended on Tuesday night in Claremont. A group consisting of union members, families, social service agencies and faith based groups met with our local State Senator. Basically, they were concerned about the House ideologues and what has been happening. Their hope is the NH Senate will be a counter weight and stem the tide to what they see as disaster.
Over a 100 people came out on a cold icy night to voice their fears about losing health retiree benefits, dismantling of collective bargaining, cuts in human services and weakening their ability to remain part of the middle class. Area state representatives were also invited – so we had an opportunity to hear, as well as put a face on our neighbors - the people who sent us to Concord.
Last week a long time representative stated that these proposed cuts are so bad that some people could die – hopefully it won’t come to that and the Senate and Governor will be the grownups. Let’s hope – because the People’s House is not listening!
My mother always told me as a little boy to “not stare – it wasn’t polite”, however, for the past three months, sitting in Reps Hall – at the eastern end of section IV, [an area - I call the penalty box of political hockey] – I am constantly amazed by what comes out of their mouths and cannot help but stare and continuously ask – Who are these People and where do they come from!
Unfortunately, while much has been written about the new federal legislators – little can be found about NH House members. Being one of 400 allows for a degree of anonymity – a bad thing for the publicity seeking needy, but a valued tool for those who do not want to have their agenda exposed. Even some republicans have said they don’t know anything about these new guys. Note: I say guys because they are overwhelmingly male - this session has the lowest number of women members since something like 1974. But who are they – Are they all some sort of monolithic radical extremist political Borg – who think alike, act alike and look alike? That would be too easy.
So after three months of intensive staring – I believe they are not real republicans – they’re not even real conservatives, but radical extremists who want to deregulate everything and ultimately dismantle government.
Overall, they seem to fall into a continuum of center/center-right to extreme far right. I break them down into various sub groups: Standard Main Street Republicans (an endangered species) and the rest are tea bag types, or at least fellow travelers consisting of Home Grown Libertarians; Social Conservatives; and Free Staters.
MAIN STREET GOP:
Truly an endangered species – socially moderate, fiscally responsible, “live and let live” types are now near extinction. Sadly, should they voice disagreement with what is going on; they are immediately denounced as RINO’s (republicans in name only). I heard of a conversation with a distinguished old school republican who after talking about the need for responsible government, was denounced as ‘not really being one of us!’ FYI – once upon a time the state republican platform called for an income tax - the days of Winant, Peterson and Hager are long gone – this is not your father’s Republican Party!
TEA BAGGERS:
Now to call everyone else in the majority a member of the Tea Bag Movement would be wrong. Although many seem to identify with the tagline – they do come from different start off points.
Personally, what I really find the most offensive regarding this group is NOT their adherence to an originalist interpretation of the US & NH Constitutions. No – it is their usurpation of patriotic (historic) terms and that only their interpretation is accurate – a total intolerance for anything different. Yeah – that’s what I find especially troublesome – intolerance!
I break this collective crop of representatives into the following sub-groups – Social Conservatives, Home Grown Libertarians, and Free Staters
Social Conservatives: fewer in number than in other parts of the country, nevertheless this faith based subset is highly visible and seem willing to play ball with their more secular extremist colleagues. At first blush they appear to have cut a deal and postponed the repeal of same sex marriage. While some tout this as a victory – my concern is the issue will re-surface next year and be used to motivate their base to come out and vote in the ’12 elections, thus keep their majority.
Home Grown Libertarians: buoyed by numbers that they interpret as validation for their anti poor/anti family views – this group struts around talking in code and mumbling from the NH Constitution and starting a NH Militia. I secretly suspect that they are designing special uniforms with huge gold epaulets and lots of medals.
While some are truly sincere – many don’t seem to have too strong a link to what really is happening in the world. I suspect they are being used by others intent on turning NH into some sort of radical libertarian social science laboratory.
I include in this group a large number of Massachusetts expatriates who in many ways seem to have never fully left their home state [except for paying MA taxes.] Fiercely loud at opposing any broad based taxes – they sometimes seem to want all the creature comforts and services they left behind, especially more asphalt to Boston – they just don’t want to pay for it!
Free Staters: They appear to be driving the policy bus this session – and as such are the most dangerous and most invisible. It is not that they are quiet – it is that they (for the most part) hide their identity. Few have publically come out and stated they are Free Staters. Fortunately, they do give themselves away when it’s obvious they know nothing of NH history, geography or how to pronounce words like coos or how to correctly use ‘wicked’ in a sentence.
The Free State movement is a radical libertarian group who believe that, if they can get 20,000 like minded people to move to NH, they can take over and control local and state government. This would then provide an opportunity to dismantle government and experiment with their radical libertarian theories. Now – I know that I risk sounding like some kind of conspiracy theorist, but just look at what has been going on this session! I believe we are seeing the first wave of these interlopers who believe they know better than us – on how to run New Hampshire.
So who are they, and how do we expose them? If they were all a bunch of bomb throwing bullies we could easily tag them, however, many appear to be almost soft spoken – it’s only when they talk about guns that you see the intensity. In looking through the Blue Book it seems many suspected FS’s are educated possessing some social skills. Many also seem to be very tech savvy – maybe they have spent too much time alone before a computer screen communicating only with like minded souls. Actually this might be the crux of the problem – being affluent, and spoiled; they don’t have any knowledge about the needs of average NH families. All they care about are themselves and since they only know and talk to like minded people – they are convinced they know what’s best!
The Other ‘Real’ NH:
Allow me to compare this with a meeting I attended on Tuesday night in Claremont. A group consisting of union members, families, social service agencies and faith based groups met with our local State Senator. Basically, they were concerned about the House ideologues and what has been happening. Their hope is the NH Senate will be a counter weight and stem the tide to what they see as disaster.
Over a 100 people came out on a cold icy night to voice their fears about losing health retiree benefits, dismantling of collective bargaining, cuts in human services and weakening their ability to remain part of the middle class. Area state representatives were also invited – so we had an opportunity to hear, as well as put a face on our neighbors - the people who sent us to Concord.
Last week a long time representative stated that these proposed cuts are so bad that some people could die – hopefully it won’t come to that and the Senate and Governor will be the grownups. Let’s hope – because the People’s House is not listening!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
This Was The Week That Was - NH Style
Friday – March 18, 2011
Coming off a wild legislative week, where NH House members arrived early and left late (e.g. 10pm 3/16) – I was reminded of the old TV program by David Frost. For those too young – he would take a satirical approach at reviewing the week’s News. While certainly not as talented as Mr. Frost – I will nevertheless attempt to provide an overview of activity this past week in the NH House.
Unfortunately, there was little in the way of comedy – although in a rather dark albeit sad way, the week did have its bizarre & dark comedic moments. From a member who with the help of a sheleighly like stick kept popping up at the well (podium) like a leprechaun minus his “pot of gold” and mouthing words difficult to follow – to a surprise visit by former Speaker Newt Gingrich (the NH Primary season is upon us) – to several legislators being scolded and ordered to their seats – caused for breaks in the process of Aye’s, Nay’s, OTP’s and ITL’s…
Early in the week, a well respected senior republican senator related how he could never recall the House being in session for 3 days in a row and so late into the evening – and with a twinkle in his eye, he thanked his lucky stars that he now belongs to the other body of the NH General Court. Needless to say – with 200-300 bills to dispose of – we journeyed on to This Was The Week That Was – NH Style…
OVERVIEW:
After a quick count – it seems that we addressed a total of 272 pieces of legislation; however about 161 were passed on consent – so we only debated something like 128 in three days – nevertheless, certainly yeoman work for a citizen legislature obsessed with Jefferson’s “Agrarian Myth” and an era long gone. So here goes:
EDUCATION – NOT NH’s PROBLEM:
The NH House decided (252-113) to pass a constitutional amendment (CACR 12) that walks away from the state’s responsibility to fund education and if successful will take the Supreme Court out of the scenario. It is like the collective entity known as the State of NH does not exist, but each city & town will be left to their own devises and on their own. Of course, as nihilistic as this seems – in this present climate where everyone is out just for themselves (individualism to the max), what else should we expect but this kind of thinking to win the day.
INCOME TAX ON RETIREES:
The NH House voted to violate its promise to NH retirees regarding medical benefits. Regardless that this is payment for services rendered – the NH House voted 188–120 (HB 231-FN) to charge retirees on fixed incomes a significant amount of their modest incomes to pay for benefits. The average pension for a Group I retiree is $11,000 per year – this translates into an income tax on the elderly of NH. So much for keeping promises…
NO TO JOBS – NO TO INFRASTRUCTURE – NO TO BUSINESS:
In a 190-119 vote, the NH House decided to de-rail the NH Passenger Rail Authority. Despite the fact that this volunteer group has not cost the state a dime – and has been funded by private sector donations resulting in a 4.2 million dollar grant to study the feasibility of re-building rail service through the Merrimack River Valley from Mass thru Nashua to Manchester & Concord. The legislature said NO – NOT NEEDED. Despite a spectrum of experts who testified that it would create jobs, enhance an integrated transportation network and impact an area where 35% of the state’s population resides.
NO WORKING FAMILIES NEEDED:
The House overturned a committee recommendation relative to workforce housing that has been in effect for two years and supported by numerous communities and planning experts across the state. Workforce housing allows cities and towns creative ways to provide affordable housing for middle class families such as nurses, fire and police as well as teachers to live in the communities they work. Sadly, this legislature chose (219-110) to overturn existing law and impose obstacles for young families starting out.
GUNS & PARENTAL RIGHTS:
What do the two have in common you ask? I don’t know, but a constitutional amendment dealing with parental rights wrapped itself around the argument that the bearings of arms and parents rights were somehow connected. Regardless of the fact that both the US and NH Supreme Courts have recognized the natural rights of parents to raise their children and that the problem lies not in the constitution but in culture. Note: the constitutional amendment failed, but not before garnering 212 representatives in support.
WHO’S DA BOSS!!!
Regardless that we may be exceeding our constitutional authority, in a 259-107 vote, the House mandated the NH Attorney General to join the law suit challenging the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Now the AG has stated that he will challenge this in court as his office is part of the executive branch of state government. But these arguments didn’t carry the day – even if such a venture will be timely and costly to the taxpayer. Historically, the manner to resolve such an issue would be to solicit an Opinion of the Justices (you know that 3rd branch of government), but heck we’re the General Court and its only money we don’t have!
PISTOL PACKIN MAMA’S & PAPA’S:
This has been a strange session where it seems anything dealing with guns has priority – maybe even more important on the radical extremists’ list of priorities than dismantling government! HB 210 was relative to the use of deadly force. Now it doesn’t matter that no one has been jailed for not retreating and the issue has not been a problem, but 270-92 representatives voted to pass it anyway. Another gun bill (HB 330-FN) was relative to carrying a firearm (concealed, loaded, or unloaded) without a license. It seems that having to get a special permit to carry a concealed weapon really is too inconvenient. So in a vote of 244 – 109 the NH House voted for what they call constitutional carry. Yippee KY-yo, Welcome to Dodge!
GO TO JAIL – THROW AWAY THE KEY!
HB 524-FN dealing with persons convicted of violent crimes was passed 264 – 97, which results in critical and crippling changes to a bill passed last year. Regardless that the Attorney General, or a former republican Speaker of the House testified as to how parole is an effective tool in transitioning prisoners back into society and allows for supervision and control vs. just opening the doors and saying “see yah” when someone has completed their sentence. Even costs didn’t impact this crowd as it cost the taxpayers’ $33,000 dollars per year to house one prisoner.
NO TO VACINATIONS – NOT!
In a surprising moment of common sense – the House defeated (294-49) an attempt to prohibit vaccinations in public school (HB 422). Thankfully a house member who is a retired public health professional inoculated us against a swarm of half truths & falsehoods. I know this crowd would like to go back to a “past time” – thankfully returning to the Middle Ages and the Black Death was seen as too drastic.
DON’T BOGART THAT MED JOINT – MY FRIEND:
Another surprise was the overwhelming support (221-96) received relative to passing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. So far it appears that marijuana and ethanol are the only issues NH can get bi-partisan agreement!
NH DEFENSE FORCE – ON HOLD (FOR NOW):
In a 175 to 137 vote the House tabled a bill establishing a state defense force. This would be a “militia” force in addition, but separate, to the NH National Guard. I guess it could be called into action to invade Canada, in light of their decision several weeks ago to condemn the Quebeckers over salmon fishing licenses. YES – 137 reps actually voted for this - maybe they saw it as a jobs bill.
SORRY CHARLIE!
The House decided to table (Committee recommendation was to pass) a piece of legislation that would have ordered our federal senators to vote against the Law of the Sea Convention – Sorry - no reprieve for Charlie the Tuna
DON’T WANT TO PAY – DON’T WORRY:
Reduce the interest rate on late and delinquent property tax payments and other unpaid taxes. Sounds great – right! If someone doesn’t pay their property tax bill when due - they now won’t have to pay a penalty. Of course each unpaid property tax bill means that the other conscientious taxpayers in the town will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to make up the difference because towns will have cash flow problems which will result in their having to borrow more to operate. But don’t worry – be happy – it sounds good. Why let reality enter into the scheme of things.
Now – I could go on (there really is more) – however it is too painful to continue – so I hope you will understand.
R. Gagnon, Representative
NH House – Sullivan District IV
Coming off a wild legislative week, where NH House members arrived early and left late (e.g. 10pm 3/16) – I was reminded of the old TV program by David Frost. For those too young – he would take a satirical approach at reviewing the week’s News. While certainly not as talented as Mr. Frost – I will nevertheless attempt to provide an overview of activity this past week in the NH House.
Unfortunately, there was little in the way of comedy – although in a rather dark albeit sad way, the week did have its bizarre & dark comedic moments. From a member who with the help of a sheleighly like stick kept popping up at the well (podium) like a leprechaun minus his “pot of gold” and mouthing words difficult to follow – to a surprise visit by former Speaker Newt Gingrich (the NH Primary season is upon us) – to several legislators being scolded and ordered to their seats – caused for breaks in the process of Aye’s, Nay’s, OTP’s and ITL’s…
Early in the week, a well respected senior republican senator related how he could never recall the House being in session for 3 days in a row and so late into the evening – and with a twinkle in his eye, he thanked his lucky stars that he now belongs to the other body of the NH General Court. Needless to say – with 200-300 bills to dispose of – we journeyed on to This Was The Week That Was – NH Style…
OVERVIEW:
After a quick count – it seems that we addressed a total of 272 pieces of legislation; however about 161 were passed on consent – so we only debated something like 128 in three days – nevertheless, certainly yeoman work for a citizen legislature obsessed with Jefferson’s “Agrarian Myth” and an era long gone. So here goes:
EDUCATION – NOT NH’s PROBLEM:
The NH House decided (252-113) to pass a constitutional amendment (CACR 12) that walks away from the state’s responsibility to fund education and if successful will take the Supreme Court out of the scenario. It is like the collective entity known as the State of NH does not exist, but each city & town will be left to their own devises and on their own. Of course, as nihilistic as this seems – in this present climate where everyone is out just for themselves (individualism to the max), what else should we expect but this kind of thinking to win the day.
INCOME TAX ON RETIREES:
The NH House voted to violate its promise to NH retirees regarding medical benefits. Regardless that this is payment for services rendered – the NH House voted 188–120 (HB 231-FN) to charge retirees on fixed incomes a significant amount of their modest incomes to pay for benefits. The average pension for a Group I retiree is $11,000 per year – this translates into an income tax on the elderly of NH. So much for keeping promises…
NO TO JOBS – NO TO INFRASTRUCTURE – NO TO BUSINESS:
In a 190-119 vote, the NH House decided to de-rail the NH Passenger Rail Authority. Despite the fact that this volunteer group has not cost the state a dime – and has been funded by private sector donations resulting in a 4.2 million dollar grant to study the feasibility of re-building rail service through the Merrimack River Valley from Mass thru Nashua to Manchester & Concord. The legislature said NO – NOT NEEDED. Despite a spectrum of experts who testified that it would create jobs, enhance an integrated transportation network and impact an area where 35% of the state’s population resides.
NO WORKING FAMILIES NEEDED:
The House overturned a committee recommendation relative to workforce housing that has been in effect for two years and supported by numerous communities and planning experts across the state. Workforce housing allows cities and towns creative ways to provide affordable housing for middle class families such as nurses, fire and police as well as teachers to live in the communities they work. Sadly, this legislature chose (219-110) to overturn existing law and impose obstacles for young families starting out.
GUNS & PARENTAL RIGHTS:
What do the two have in common you ask? I don’t know, but a constitutional amendment dealing with parental rights wrapped itself around the argument that the bearings of arms and parents rights were somehow connected. Regardless of the fact that both the US and NH Supreme Courts have recognized the natural rights of parents to raise their children and that the problem lies not in the constitution but in culture. Note: the constitutional amendment failed, but not before garnering 212 representatives in support.
WHO’S DA BOSS!!!
Regardless that we may be exceeding our constitutional authority, in a 259-107 vote, the House mandated the NH Attorney General to join the law suit challenging the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Now the AG has stated that he will challenge this in court as his office is part of the executive branch of state government. But these arguments didn’t carry the day – even if such a venture will be timely and costly to the taxpayer. Historically, the manner to resolve such an issue would be to solicit an Opinion of the Justices (you know that 3rd branch of government), but heck we’re the General Court and its only money we don’t have!
PISTOL PACKIN MAMA’S & PAPA’S:
This has been a strange session where it seems anything dealing with guns has priority – maybe even more important on the radical extremists’ list of priorities than dismantling government! HB 210 was relative to the use of deadly force. Now it doesn’t matter that no one has been jailed for not retreating and the issue has not been a problem, but 270-92 representatives voted to pass it anyway. Another gun bill (HB 330-FN) was relative to carrying a firearm (concealed, loaded, or unloaded) without a license. It seems that having to get a special permit to carry a concealed weapon really is too inconvenient. So in a vote of 244 – 109 the NH House voted for what they call constitutional carry. Yippee KY-yo, Welcome to Dodge!
GO TO JAIL – THROW AWAY THE KEY!
HB 524-FN dealing with persons convicted of violent crimes was passed 264 – 97, which results in critical and crippling changes to a bill passed last year. Regardless that the Attorney General, or a former republican Speaker of the House testified as to how parole is an effective tool in transitioning prisoners back into society and allows for supervision and control vs. just opening the doors and saying “see yah” when someone has completed their sentence. Even costs didn’t impact this crowd as it cost the taxpayers’ $33,000 dollars per year to house one prisoner.
NO TO VACINATIONS – NOT!
In a surprising moment of common sense – the House defeated (294-49) an attempt to prohibit vaccinations in public school (HB 422). Thankfully a house member who is a retired public health professional inoculated us against a swarm of half truths & falsehoods. I know this crowd would like to go back to a “past time” – thankfully returning to the Middle Ages and the Black Death was seen as too drastic.
DON’T BOGART THAT MED JOINT – MY FRIEND:
Another surprise was the overwhelming support (221-96) received relative to passing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. So far it appears that marijuana and ethanol are the only issues NH can get bi-partisan agreement!
NH DEFENSE FORCE – ON HOLD (FOR NOW):
In a 175 to 137 vote the House tabled a bill establishing a state defense force. This would be a “militia” force in addition, but separate, to the NH National Guard. I guess it could be called into action to invade Canada, in light of their decision several weeks ago to condemn the Quebeckers over salmon fishing licenses. YES – 137 reps actually voted for this - maybe they saw it as a jobs bill.
SORRY CHARLIE!
The House decided to table (Committee recommendation was to pass) a piece of legislation that would have ordered our federal senators to vote against the Law of the Sea Convention – Sorry - no reprieve for Charlie the Tuna
DON’T WANT TO PAY – DON’T WORRY:
Reduce the interest rate on late and delinquent property tax payments and other unpaid taxes. Sounds great – right! If someone doesn’t pay their property tax bill when due - they now won’t have to pay a penalty. Of course each unpaid property tax bill means that the other conscientious taxpayers in the town will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to make up the difference because towns will have cash flow problems which will result in their having to borrow more to operate. But don’t worry – be happy – it sounds good. Why let reality enter into the scheme of things.
Now – I could go on (there really is more) – however it is too painful to continue – so I hope you will understand.
R. Gagnon, Representative
NH House – Sullivan District IV
Sunday, February 27, 2011
NOCIALIST STATE KEEPS MOVING BACKWARDS!
NH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – WEEK IN REVIEW
March 21 – 25, 2011
The full House met on Wednesday (2/23) and a spectrum of issues was on the docket ranging from Education to the Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard.
Thankfully thoughtful minds prevailed in killing the bill (213/134) to repeal the requirement that all school districts offer public kindergarten. However, it is still a sad day that 134 representatives felt Kindergarten shouldn’t be part of NH’s core educational programming. Here is a sampling of your Nocialist legislature at work…
NO TO DRINKING LOCAL MILK, BUT YES TO PROTECT MEN
Interestingly – the present NH House of Representatives have the fewest number of women members since 1974. So it is only logical that a bunch of white men had no problem exempting the Commission on the Status of Men from going out of business in June. Apparently, allowing it to fade away would have been too hasty – regardless that no one knows what they do.
However moving us closer to a Nocialist state, the majority of the House overturned a committee report to appropriate emergency relief funds for NH Dairy Farmers. Despite a valiant attempt by committee members who pointed out that milk farmers cannot set the price for their milk and are at the mercy of a convoluted pricing system controlled in DC, the majority (239 Nocialists) felt that this takes money via taxes & fees from individuals and businesses and is a bailout. Forget if this might help the local economy and promote buying local. Forget about helping the local small business dairy farmer. NO Bail outs for regular people – NOCIALIST’S RULE!!!
NO TO BUSINESS DEVELOPERS – “WETLANDS = SACRED GROUND FOR FROGS, MOSQUITOES AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS”
The statement “Wetlands are sacred ground for frogs mosquitoes and environmentalists” was stated on the floor of the NH House, by a ranking republican in an attempt to make light and laugh at the Aquatic Resources Compensatory Mitigation (ARM) Program, regardless of the fact that the program offers significant value and advantages to land developers as well as being sensitive to the environment. Despite testimony, by NH DES, that lowering the administrative fee would threaten the viability of the program, the radical extremists in control of the House voted (261/90) to put at risk the viability of a program that has proven advantageous to NH Business. So much for building the economy...
NO THANK YOU – 2O MILLION $
Probably one of the more foolish acts thus far by these radical extremist libertarians was the defeat (246/104) of New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Apparently, RGGI was too complicated for these proponents of a Nocialist state to wrap their heads around. Forget that savings to NH communities are in the millions of dollars – forget that RGGI provides solid protective measures and is good risk management – forget about NH losing 20 million dollars annually in funding – and forget about anything resembling the “common good.” The radicals in charge actually quoted from a 1941 study that refutes global climate change. One republican rep was quoted as saying “climate change is hype!”
NO PROPERTY TAX BREAK FOR REGULAR PEOPLE
Rather than assist people to find basic housing at an affordable cost and encourage small business which is the backbone of our economy – the NH House of Representatives said NO (255/91) to a property tax break for NH families. The bill would have provided an exemption of $100,000 from the State Wide Education Property Tax (SWEPT), which would have resulted in a reduction in taxes for small businesses and residents owning property assessed at less than $625,000, and a minor increase for those residents and businesses assessed at more than 625k. The argument being bantered around was that this was “class warfare” – of course the fact that wages for average NH families have not increased, since 1984, didn’t matter nor that costs are being shifted down to the cities and towns.
NO THANK YOU TO FEDERAL DOLLARS
This could have been titled EXTREMIST POLITICAL IDEOLOGY TRUMPS FINANCIAL AID – for this bill which passed (238/111) creates a committee to review every grant-in-aid program, at every level of state government (Municipal, County and State). This Bill will directly affect the ability of a city, town, school district, county and state agency to accept federal dollars. Forget that this would result in an increase in property taxes, or that it would render NH less competitive and less attractive to companies wanting to locate here. The majority view grants as “unconstitutional encroachments” on the sovereignty of NH and that grants amount “to all intents and purposes of bribing the state of New Hampshire.”
NO TO THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD
Among one of the more confusing acts this week was the vote 241/89 against supporting the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. As everyone in NH knows the shipyard is a vital economic interest to the State, and is always at risk of closure by the feds regardless of the fact that it is one of only four shipyards specializing in submarines. So why would the NH House of Representatives be on record as not supporting the shipyard is shocking and can only be explained as republican partisan ideologues not wanting to support something a democrat had sponsored.
NO INCOME TAX ON SENIOR CITIZENS - NOT YET!
Thankfully, calm heads prevailed and the attempt to impose increased costs on retired public employees was temporarily averted by sending the bill back to committee. The goal was to raise the cost to retirees for their health care – it doesn’t matter if the present system is a benefit earned by retirees for work provided. They almost had to pay more which could be argued is an income tax on retirees, but I’m sure there will be more on this issue as the session unfolds.
NOCIALISM RULES
Overall, this radical legislature is showing their true agenda – working for the common good is out. Extremist political ideology trumps helping people, creating jobs or building the economy. The NOCIALIST State keeps moving backwards.
March 21 – 25, 2011
The full House met on Wednesday (2/23) and a spectrum of issues was on the docket ranging from Education to the Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard.
Thankfully thoughtful minds prevailed in killing the bill (213/134) to repeal the requirement that all school districts offer public kindergarten. However, it is still a sad day that 134 representatives felt Kindergarten shouldn’t be part of NH’s core educational programming. Here is a sampling of your Nocialist legislature at work…
NO TO DRINKING LOCAL MILK, BUT YES TO PROTECT MEN
Interestingly – the present NH House of Representatives have the fewest number of women members since 1974. So it is only logical that a bunch of white men had no problem exempting the Commission on the Status of Men from going out of business in June. Apparently, allowing it to fade away would have been too hasty – regardless that no one knows what they do.
However moving us closer to a Nocialist state, the majority of the House overturned a committee report to appropriate emergency relief funds for NH Dairy Farmers. Despite a valiant attempt by committee members who pointed out that milk farmers cannot set the price for their milk and are at the mercy of a convoluted pricing system controlled in DC, the majority (239 Nocialists) felt that this takes money via taxes & fees from individuals and businesses and is a bailout. Forget if this might help the local economy and promote buying local. Forget about helping the local small business dairy farmer. NO Bail outs for regular people – NOCIALIST’S RULE!!!
NO TO BUSINESS DEVELOPERS – “WETLANDS = SACRED GROUND FOR FROGS, MOSQUITOES AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS”
The statement “Wetlands are sacred ground for frogs mosquitoes and environmentalists” was stated on the floor of the NH House, by a ranking republican in an attempt to make light and laugh at the Aquatic Resources Compensatory Mitigation (ARM) Program, regardless of the fact that the program offers significant value and advantages to land developers as well as being sensitive to the environment. Despite testimony, by NH DES, that lowering the administrative fee would threaten the viability of the program, the radical extremists in control of the House voted (261/90) to put at risk the viability of a program that has proven advantageous to NH Business. So much for building the economy...
NO THANK YOU – 2O MILLION $
Probably one of the more foolish acts thus far by these radical extremist libertarians was the defeat (246/104) of New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Apparently, RGGI was too complicated for these proponents of a Nocialist state to wrap their heads around. Forget that savings to NH communities are in the millions of dollars – forget that RGGI provides solid protective measures and is good risk management – forget about NH losing 20 million dollars annually in funding – and forget about anything resembling the “common good.” The radicals in charge actually quoted from a 1941 study that refutes global climate change. One republican rep was quoted as saying “climate change is hype!”
NO PROPERTY TAX BREAK FOR REGULAR PEOPLE
Rather than assist people to find basic housing at an affordable cost and encourage small business which is the backbone of our economy – the NH House of Representatives said NO (255/91) to a property tax break for NH families. The bill would have provided an exemption of $100,000 from the State Wide Education Property Tax (SWEPT), which would have resulted in a reduction in taxes for small businesses and residents owning property assessed at less than $625,000, and a minor increase for those residents and businesses assessed at more than 625k. The argument being bantered around was that this was “class warfare” – of course the fact that wages for average NH families have not increased, since 1984, didn’t matter nor that costs are being shifted down to the cities and towns.
NO THANK YOU TO FEDERAL DOLLARS
This could have been titled EXTREMIST POLITICAL IDEOLOGY TRUMPS FINANCIAL AID – for this bill which passed (238/111) creates a committee to review every grant-in-aid program, at every level of state government (Municipal, County and State). This Bill will directly affect the ability of a city, town, school district, county and state agency to accept federal dollars. Forget that this would result in an increase in property taxes, or that it would render NH less competitive and less attractive to companies wanting to locate here. The majority view grants as “unconstitutional encroachments” on the sovereignty of NH and that grants amount “to all intents and purposes of bribing the state of New Hampshire.”
NO TO THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD
Among one of the more confusing acts this week was the vote 241/89 against supporting the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. As everyone in NH knows the shipyard is a vital economic interest to the State, and is always at risk of closure by the feds regardless of the fact that it is one of only four shipyards specializing in submarines. So why would the NH House of Representatives be on record as not supporting the shipyard is shocking and can only be explained as republican partisan ideologues not wanting to support something a democrat had sponsored.
NO INCOME TAX ON SENIOR CITIZENS - NOT YET!
Thankfully, calm heads prevailed and the attempt to impose increased costs on retired public employees was temporarily averted by sending the bill back to committee. The goal was to raise the cost to retirees for their health care – it doesn’t matter if the present system is a benefit earned by retirees for work provided. They almost had to pay more which could be argued is an income tax on retirees, but I’m sure there will be more on this issue as the session unfolds.
NOCIALISM RULES
Overall, this radical legislature is showing their true agenda – working for the common good is out. Extremist political ideology trumps helping people, creating jobs or building the economy. The NOCIALIST State keeps moving backwards.
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