Pants on Fire

by: susanthe

Fri Oct 23, 2009 at 20:55:55 PM EDT

The NH GOP is unhappy about losing their divine right to run our state. Despite steady losses in the last 4 years, they have not been able to come up with a new message. They're still saying "no taxes and cut spending." It was a great message in 1910. In 2010 the reality is somewhat different. Things cost more, an elementary concept that the NH GOP is unable to embrace. Sure, there are ways to spend less money. At a time when many states are eliminating the costly death penalty as a way to save millions, NH is the only state looking to begin executions. The budget for lead paint testing has been cut recently, but we'll be building a death row and an execution chamber.  

When the Going Got Tough, Republicans Got to Raising Taxes

by: VABBY

Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 15:10:54 PM EDT

CONCORD - The national economic crisis continues to impact New Hampshire families and businesses, and the state budget isn't immune, with revenues for the next fiscal year expected to come in lower than those in 2004. Yet Republicans continue to claim that new revenue is not needed to balance the budget and instead are calling for unspecified cuts that would likely result in sharp local property tax hikes.

However, it wasn't too long ago that Republicans found themselves in a similar situation when they held majorities in the legislature and had to put together a balanced budget in a sluggish economy.

The difference between the budget passed by Republicans in 1990 and the budget Democratic leaders are proposing now is that Democrats are making tough choices to reduce the bottom line. Democrats this year are proposing to cut the state's workforce by 5 percent, close five districts courts and the Laconia prison. Republicans in 1990 chose to create new taxes and raise existing taxes in order to increase overall spending and to make up for a massive expansion of state spending throughout the 1980s.

In 1990, Republican leaders used new taxes and tax increases instead of cuts to balance the budget after inheriting a record deficit left by former Gov. John H. Sununu, who increased spending by 27.5 percent while in office and is now the state party chair.

Then-Republican Speaker of the House Doug Scamman said of the need to raise taxes in the midst of serious economic challenges, "These issues are bigger than party or personal political objectives. Today, we must all be statesmen. I ask that you face your obligations as legislators to vote responsibly today. Put the political considerations aside and face your responsibilities."

According to the 1990 House Journal, Representative Scamman's argument was successful in persuading his Republican majority to increase taxes and spending - in fact 17 Republicans still serving in the Legislature voted for the bloated budget.  Republicans approved:

   * An estimated $14 million increase in telecommunication taxes for consumers
   * An estimated $11.9 million increase in the real estate transfer tax
   * An estimated $8.5 million increase in the tobacco tax
   * An estimated $2.3 million increase on the beer tax
   * An estimated $13.9 million increase in the Meals & Rooms tax
   *  Increased taxes on motorists, including a $5 process fee for diesel fuel users
   * A 5 to 7 percent tax increase on gambling profits

"Republican legislators must be suffering from a severe case of amnesia," said Ray Buckley, Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "It wasn't too long ago that they passed historic tax increases and out-of-control spending during an economic crisis. Republicans should stop playing politics and start naming their cuts."

(Posted by Victoria Bonney, Communications Director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party)

Congratulations, Representative Butler

by: susanthe

Sun May 24, 2009 at 11:04:44 AM EDT

State Representative Ed Butler of Harts Location was the Vice Chair, and is now the Chair of the Commerce Committee.

Representative Butler is currently serving his second term in the NH House. As a constituent, and someone who has worked to get him elected, I'm incredibly proud of him, and happy for him. He really loves serving in the legislature. Ed is honored and humbled by this new opportunity.

Congratulations, Ed!  

Legislator Proposes To Up Legislative Pay

by: Mike Caulfield

Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 12:09:49 PM EST

A Salem lawmaker is behind a proposal to raise the pay for New Hampshire legislators, currently the lowest-paid in the country.

Republican Rep. Anthony DiFruscia is the prime sponsor of a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise state legislators pay from $100 a year plus mileage to $100 a week plus mileage. Constitutional amendments must win three-fifths support in the House and Senate to go before voters. Two-thirds of voters must approve for an amendment to take effect.

Our friends over at GraniteGrok think this eats into our tradition of the citizen legislator, a tradition where one goes, serves, and returns to private life.

To which I say -- baloney. The majority of our legislators are not people called to serve mid-career, but retirees (who finally have flexible time) and small business owners (who can make their time more flexible).

It's great that those constituencies are represented. It's somewhat less great that people with a 9 to 5 background (or 8 to 5 background -- who gets paid lunch anymore?) are not represented.

I'd actually go further, bring the yearly sum closer to $10,000 and halve the number of legislators. In a world where technology has shrunk distance and improved communication, a representative can surely handle more constituents. At $10,000 you might just be able to see someone taking their day job down to part-time to serve.

You want real citizen legislators? That's how you do it.

Of course, I don't see half the legislators voting themselves out of office anytime soon, so we'll take this proposal of $5,000 a year as a start.

Final note: Funniest quote in the article, hands down --Gene Charron talking about this radical proposal to give our legislators $5,000 a year. He thinks the current system is just fine, because, well, here's the quote:

"Instead of some fat cat thinking, you know, 'OK, this is a career,' it's not a career (in New Hampshire)," said Rep. Gene Charron, R-Chester. "It's got to be a love for your state."

Fat cat? Career? On $5,000 a year?

I take it all back. Our legislature isn't out of touch at all...

NH Republicans promising harsher partisanship in 2008

by: Ray Buckley

Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 15:12:33 PM EST

       By Norma Love
Associated Press
December 28, 2007 1:43 PM
CONCORD, N.H. - Democrats are in charge of New Hampshire's Legislature, but Republicans want to take back their historical role of calling the shots.

And that means the 2008 legislative session starting Wednesday will be more political than ever as policy takes on an even harsher partisanship edge than usual.

Look for sharp divisions especially over health insurance, abortion and school funding as the two parties highlight their philosophical differences in advance of the November election

Full story:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/...

I post this as a reminder to everyone that there can't be a break after the presidential primary. This is going to be a very tough year and we don't have a minute to spare.

NH Historic First: Civil Unions Would Help Equality

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 08:47:50 AM EDT

The House Judiciary Committee voted in a very bipartisan 15-5 vote to approve House Bill 437.  Some real stars on the Committee speaking for the bill included Chair David Cote of Nashua, Gail Morrison of Sanbornton, and Bette Lasky of Nashua. 

If it passes on the House floor this coming week and is approved by the State Senate, it would be historic in another way:  this would be the very first time that a state has adopted legal unions for same-gendered couples without any threat of court action first.  New Hampshire would join Vermont, Connecticut, and New Jersey as the only states with civil unions.  California has a fairly extensive domestic relationships law, but comes short of formal unions for same-gendered couples.  Massachusetts allows marriage for its gay and lesbian citizens, but that was court mandated and hasn't been vetoed by their legislature. 

Our action in favor of equality contrasts positively to the 27 states where constitutional amendments have been adopted prohibiting same-gendered relationships.  New Hampshire is also one of just 20 states protecting sexual orientation as part of our civil rights law; in some 30 states one can still be fired, or denied housing or services, just because of being gay.

It's not finalized yet, of course.  The State Senate would have to vote favorably if the House approves the bill.  And we can expect a tough floor fight in the House. 

And Governor John Lynch hasn't said he will allow civil unions to become law, with or without his signature.  I'm confident he will, however, because from my knowing him since the early 1970s, I've always found him to be an inherently fair person.  While he has stated he would veto gay marriage, he has indicated he will consider something else, and that he is opposed to discrimination against our tens of thousands of gay and lesbian citizens.  Now he can deliver. 

Civil unions isn't marriage, with the word.  While it provides all the same rights, obligations, and responsibilities of marriage, it isn't marriage.  That fight has to continue, and I'll be joining others on that effort.  Another bill was approved by the Judiciary Committee that would create a serious study and analysis about marriage for gays and lesbians. 

Progress on equality, however, occurs step by step.  We've come so far because of the hard work and sacrifices of so many so far.  Civil unions is a positive step.  If one has a 20 foot pond to jump over, it sure helps if there's a stepping stone in the middle.

HB 437 is sponsored by Somersworth State Representative Dana Hilliard and myself, but working hard for its passage have been most of the openly gay members of the House:  Marlene DeChane of Barrington, Ed Butler of Harts Location, David Pierce of Etna, as well as Gail Morrison.  Most were at the all-day hearing on the bill a couple of weeks ago, and the 6 hour Committee voting session, joined by former State Representative Ray Buckley.  Former State Senator Rick Trombly has worked hard on this and other equality issues as well. 

The adventure continues...