Lynch Announces Buyer for Gorham Paper Mill

by: susanthe

Thu Nov 04, 2010 at 21:04:56 PM EDT

More than 200 laid-off paper mill workers got new hope Thursday with the announcement of the pending sale of the Cascade mill in Gorham from Fraser Papers to New Jersey-based MM Consulting and Contracting Co.

This is great news.

Some Good News on the Employment Front

by: Jennifer Daler

Tue May 18, 2010 at 06:53:33 AM EDT

This was New Hampshire's second largest month-to-month improvement since the recession officially ended in July 2009. The state added 1,360 jobs in April, bringing the total number of employed to 696,980.

The national trend is still slightly down; our Democratic majorities in the State House, State Senate, and Governor Lynch are showing the strength of leadership in these uncertain times.

The alternative to that leadership is more of teh crazy that's about posturing, not solutions.

Sunday Columns: Budget, Lawsuit, and Gambling

by: Jennifer Daler

Sun Apr 11, 2010 at 08:02:55 AM EDT

But it wasn't meant to be.

The hurdle Lynch couldn't clear was that even with a lease, a private company would have to pay a hefty federal tax on all sales, which he feared would badly erode the profit structure for the state.

Medical Marijuana Override Fails In Senate

by: Jennifer Daler

Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 13:55:23 PM EDT

The Senate was the stumbling block for backers of the bill, House Bill 648. Senators voted as they did in the spring 14-10 to override, but it takes 16 Senate for a two-thirds majority.

The override move succeeded in the House, which voted 240-115 to reject the veto, over the margin it needed.

In the light of recent policy and personnel changes at the US DoJ,  as well as common sense, this seems slightly lame:

Opponents said the bill needs a more specific definition of what constitutes a debilitating medical condition.

Union Talks Slow, Lynch Prepares for Lay-Offs

by: Jennifer Daler

Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 06:43:08 AM EDT

The union, which represents most of the 11,000 state employees, was seeking a guarantee there would not be future layoffs.

Lynch told reporters yesterday that the union had opposed a furlough in connection with office closures, an idea that some union officials were publicly embracing a week ago.

The union wants some retirement incentives in exchange for the furloughs, but the Governor says the state cannot afford it.

SEA chief negotiator Dennis Kinnon:

"His comments are inflammatory and just the latest example of his refusal to bargain in good faith," Kinnan said in a statement. "It is unfortunate that the governor continues to try to intimidate his workers by ratcheting up the layoff threat. There are wise and responsible solutions to be had. But not unlike other recent actions by this governor, it is his way or the highway. We are committed to public services -- not his political agenda."

The bargaining committee of the union will meet tonight to discuss the matter and how they wish to proceed. The contract expired June 30.

SEA spokesman Mike Barwell said union members are of many opinions about the best course of action. The tension has been building for months. After Lynch's comments yesterday, he said, "The anxiety level of our membership exploded."

Lynch Signs School Accountablity Law

by: Jennifer Daler

Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 08:49:55 AM EDT

The NH Supreme Court set out four mandates: define an adequate education, set the cost, fund it, set up a system of accountability.

It's important to note that before the Democratic majority in the legislature, the only ideas to deal with Claremont, etc., were constitutional amendments aimed at taking the state out of education funding all together. They never passed, even with Republicans in control. But the Republicans couldn't come up with anything else to deal with the decision. The state was paralyzed. I was amazed that other states faced with similar lawsuits, such as Vermont, dealt with it in one legislative session. The lack of compliance with the first decision led to more lawsuits, more decisions, more parameters.

It took a Democratic majority at the state level to tackle this issue, whether one agrees or disagrees with all aspects of the policy. We need to remember this going forward.  

Sunday Columns: Budget to Come to Vote

by: Jennifer Daler

Sun Jun 21, 2009 at 07:16:17 AM EDT

As expected, the Republicans are being told by their leaders to vote no. Why? Because. Have they proposed a viable alternative? No.
Tom Fahey (bold mine)

Even without the finished numbers, Republicans are being urged to vote against the plan as spending too much. Democrats are calling it a difficult compromise that spreads the pain fairly.

Nine Modest Taxation Propsals

by: robsprague

Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 16:48:58 PM EDT

The New Hampshire Senate has decided that by placing 13,000 slot machines in three race tracks and by skimming 49% off the top of the take, $205,000,000 of the State's budget shortfall will go away.  It's an insider's game of course, with the usual cabal of silk-suited lobbyists greasing their way around the State House, successfully pushing the Senate to a 16-8 vote in favor of the slots scheme.  

But now the NH House - traditionally more anti-gambling than the Senate - must be "convinced" to go along.  

Let's get real here: New Hampshire enjoys a long and proud tradition of paying its bills by taxing its sinners.  The State makes big money on its lottery, its liquor stores,  its cigarette tax, it's additional alcohol taxes on beer and wine sold by private stores, it meals & lodging tax  (a big part of which includes alcohol sold at lunch and dinner).   So it seems just a wee bit theatrical and disingenuous when Members of the NH House get in a tizzy fit about a few thousand slot machines.  

Meanwhile, income from 13,000 slots won't really pay all the bills, provide all the services.   So, my idea...instead of limping in with this modest slots proposal is to do it right.  Let's go all the way...let's immediately legalize - AND TAX - the following:

1. Slot machines (a maximum of 131,580 individual machines)...with machines located in every town hall and city hall in the State.  These buildings are already closely monitored by the police so it would be safe. One machine for every 10 NH residents.

2. An electronic Sports Book, including gambling on all professional, college, high school and middle school varsity games and - seasonal - on grammar school field day events.  All sports books to be located in SAU administrative offices.

3. Poker Parlors that would actually be located in people's PARLORS!  Anyone with an old-fashion home that included a parlor with transparent plastic still covering all of the couches could host these games of skill.

4. Internet Gambling, to be hosted by - get this absolutely brilliant idea - to be hosted by our state's daily newspapers on their internet sites (thereby saving all daily papers from extinction).  

5. Medical Marijuana Stores, to be run exclusively by Doctors who are General Practitioners or pediatricians (this plan would close the pay gap between family doctors and the more highly-paid specialists).

6. A No Helmet Tax.  It's New Hampshire.  Motorcyclists should never be forced to wear a helmet.  But they should be taxed for being so hopelessly dim-witted...  a $125 annual tax for these mouth-breathing morons.

7. Seat-Belt Exclusion Tax.  We should be free to refuse to buckle up for safety.  But a modest tax, maybe $25, would help defer the costs of extra body bags.

8. Granite State Death Penalty Reduction Club.  If convicted and sentenced to death by a New Hampshire jury, a death row inmate could pay - I don't know - maybe $100,000 to have his sentence commuted to life without parole or for an additional $10,000, he could spin the GIANT WHEEL OF LIFE for the chance to win the possibility of parole in 20 years.  There's network tv possibilities here.  

9. A Bankruptcy Tax:  As we all know, the Governor and others are licking their chops over a real estate refinancing tax.  So what if it hurts people who are trying to reduce their housing expenses and retain their homes... Too damned bad for them!  So, OK, how about going a step further and taxing Granite-State residents who are forced into bankruptcy because they lose their job or - sans health insurance - they become terminally ill.

Are we clever or are we clever?

Because in New Hampshire we will never need to impose a broad-based tax of any kind, because we will keep inventing new taxes that punish specific lifestyles.

And we will keep placing the majority of the financial burden on the working poor, the lower middle class, senior citizen homeowners and...and everyone else...except, of course, the rich,  the well-to-do. It's the New Hampshire Way.

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry TV Ad

by: Jennifer Daler

Tue May 05, 2009 at 12:32:27 PM EDT

Democrats Unite and Ignite in Unity New Hampshire

by: Chaz Proulx

Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 13:52:39 PM EDT

To see Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes give the introductory speeches in a New Hampshire field on a Summer day makes it all worth it. When Governor Lynch spoke --it was all worth it.  

In the name of the Granite State and the United States of America--it's all worth it!

Then Jeanne Shaheen spoke to a widely enthusiastic crowd. I'll be writing much more about her campaign. She has a ton of momentum and Democrats are loving it. The Shaheen campaign seems to be doing everything right.

Finally, the introduction we were all waiting for fell to  Ken Hall, the "honorary" mayor of Unity. That was fitting - all politics is local.

What a moment for New Hampshire and the nation. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton chose the perfect location to bring the Democratic party together. Someone - perhaps it was Hillary - mentioned that maybe there was some divine intervention afoot. I mean Barack and Hillary both received 107 votes last January in Unity. What an amazing and symbolic coincidence. How could they pass up the opportunity to return?

The crowd loved it. This event was yet another shot in the arm for New Hampshire Democrats. I'm sure everyone present made a little personal vow to work just a little harder between now and November.

We've come a long way from our frigid primary. The political climate has changed as much as the weather. Today sealed the deal.

So thank you to the kind folks in Unity.

Now its time for Democrats all across New Hampshire to work like we've never worked before to send Barack Obama to the White House.