Statement from Chairman Buckley Regarding GOP Back Door Property Tax Increase Plan

by: VABBY

Tue Jun 23, 2009 at 14:54:19 PM EDT

"After months of hearings, Democratic leaders crafted a responsible and balanced budget while Republicans sat back and admittedly refused to be 'fully involved' in the process.   Now as the eleventh hour approaches, Republicans have buckled to political pressure and put forward an irresponsible plan for unspecified cuts.  If adopted, their plan would downshift costs and spell $100 million in new taxes for property owners.  

"Today, Republicans offered too little, too late.  It's time for them to stop using political gimmicks to appear engaged in the process and actually do the job they were elected to do.  

"A 7 percent across-the-board cut isn't a budget plan, it's a back door property tax increase.  Saddling property owners with the burden of balancing the state budget is not only irresponsible, it's plain wrong.  Homeowners shouldn't be forced to pay for the GOP's lack of ideas or leadership."

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

Chairman Buckley for the Monitor: The GOP has no alternative for state budget

by: VABBY

Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 09:22:47 AM EDT

Last fall, our nation was rocked by George W. Bush's gross mishandling of the economy. From Wall Street to Main Street, the fallout left millions unemployed and many more struggling to provide for their families. While we are now seeing signs of financial recovery, New Hampshire still faces a serious revenue shortfall that will require state leaders to make tough decisions in order to balance the budget.

At a time when the need for services are at their highest, and revenue is near 2004 levels, cutting the budget is no simple task. But Gov. John Lynch and Democratic legislators rose to the challenge and proposed tough cuts and reforms to account for the revenue gap. Their cuts include a 5 percent reduction to the state's workforce, closing five district courthouses and the Laconia prison, reducing public employee benefits, and extending the freeze on hiring, travel and new equipment purchases.

Statements Of Support For HB 436 And The Governor's Language

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Tue May 19, 2009 at 07:10:52 AM EDT

Governor John Lynch took a big step last week in coming down on the side of marriage equality.  He will sign House Bill 436 if we put into another part of state law an additional and clearer protection of the independence and freedom of religious organizations and Churches.  His language follows some wording of Connecticut's marriage equality legislation, as well as Vermont.  

The language will appear as an amendment onto House Bill 73, which will come in from the Senate.  We'll see it in final form after the Senate Judiciary Committee considers it tomorrow, but it follows the wording that the Governor requested last week.  I have included his news release, and the draft language being offered by Senator Deb Reynolds.  

I have added comments about HB 436, and the Governor's requested language, from our friends of marriage equality.  We can put this issue behind us, successfully, by supporting HB 73 as amended.  This is about, and for, our young people of New Hampshire -- for our future.

Faux Journalism at Neo-Hampshire

by: Kathy Sullivan 2

Sat May 02, 2009 at 19:21:34 PM EDT

Today Hynes got caught pushing a story on nowhampshire that Raymond Buckley forced Democratic state senators to back the equality bill by telling them the DNC would strip NH of its first in the nation primary status if the bill did not pass. Hynes based his story on unnamed  "Democratic State House sources", and it got picked up by a couple of national blogs. The problem was, the story is not true.      

Raymond Buckley could tip the scales toward HB 436 (marriage equality)

by: Putney Swope

Sun Apr 12, 2009 at 22:42:46 PM EDT

I would like to thank many contributors of BH for supporting and leading the charge, in particular former State Chair Kathy Sullivan for her many supportive postings. I would also like to congratulate State Senate candidate Bud Martin for his comments in Foster's in favor of this bill. http://www.fosters.com/apps/pb...

Kevin Landrigan in today's Nashua Telegraph writes that "Same-sex marriage remains a toss-up, with all 10 Senate Republicans against it, half a dozen Senate Democrats for it and the other six or seven Democrats withholding even private judgment." http://www.nashuatelegraph.com...

NHDP Chair Raymond Buckley could tip the scales toward House Bill 436 by coming out strongly in favor of the bill now -- now is the time to fight for marriage equality.  It's important for so many people, and we're almost there.  As Party Chair Raymond has a strong voice that people will listen to. There are many things Raymond can do to support the bill:  he could call John Lynch and tell him this is the thing to do now, talk with the State Senators -- we may have 15 Democrats in the Senate soon, and he can testify in favor of the bill at the Senate hearings. Kathy Sullivan made a difference in the House, and Raymond could make a difference in the Senate.

NHDP files Complaint on Bradley

by: Ray Buckley

Mon Sep 22, 2008 at 14:38:40 PM EDT

NH Dems file complaint with FEC asking for investigation, penalties

(MANCHESTER) Today, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission asking the body to investigate and penalize Republican Jeb Bradley for a new negative campaign ad that violates election laws by failing to display information at the end of the ad about who paid for it.

"Jeb Bradley is acting like the status quo politician that he is - launching misleading negative attacks and then ducking the law that requires him to disclose at the end of the ad who paid for it," said Buckley. "Maybe he is hoping that over the course of 30 seconds voters will forget who authored and paid for these negative attacks, just like he is hoping that they forget his record of standing with George Bush in Congress on vote after vote that wrecked our economy."

The ad can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

The New Hampshire Democratic Party is today filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission regarding the ad, which is currently airing on WMUR.

Election law guarantees that political candidates receive a special "Lowest Unit Rate" from television stations when placing their ads and requires that these ads include a written disclaimer at the end of the ad identifying who authorized it.  

Specifically, "When a candidate authorizes a television communication, he must include a written statement indicating that he approved the communication at the end of the television communication." 11 C.F.R. §110.11(c)(3)(iii) .

Lynch between Scylla and Charybdis

by: Mike Hoefer

Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 22:28:04 PM EDT

Halfway through his second term as Governor John Lynch finds himself between Scylla and Charybdis. Are future plans preventing bold actions now?

Just as we elected a Democratic majority to Congress in 2006 to help end the war in Iraq, Hampshireites gave Governor John Lynch majorities across the General Court and E.C. to help end our Holy War known as the Education Funding Crisis. Just as many Dems are frustrated with the lack of leadership and backbone in regards to standing up to the unitary executive at the federal level, New Hampshire Dems are restless with a lack of progress towards ending our sectarian conflict in a manner which will not partition our state in to retirement towns and kid towns.

John Lynch has been a good governor showing strong leadership in times of crisis and NH has passed historic legislation over the past couple of years. Yet, it should be clear that his legacy will be judged on whether or not the Education Funding Crisis is fixed on his watch or is simply kicked down the road a piece.

NH Dems File Complaint With Attorney General Over Push Polling

by: Pia Carusone

Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 16:37:03 PM EST

Asks AG to Determine Whether False Acts on Gov. Lynch Constitute Illegal Push Poll

CONCORD - New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley today asked the Attorney General to investigate a potential push poll being conducted illegally by the Republican Governors Association.

"The Attorney General should immediately investigate and halt the illegal activities of the Republican Governors Association. This is not the first time this Washington-based group has come into New Hampshire to conduct its brand of gutter politics in an attempt to smear John Lynch," Buckley said. "The Republican Governors Association - and the candidates it is supporting
here in New Hampshire - needs to learn to respect New Hampshire voters and follow New Hampshire laws."

The Union Leader reported today that voters in New Hampshire are receiving a potential push poll, conducted by the Republican Governors Association. The Republican Governors Association is not registered as a political action committee in New Hampshire, and therefore is not legally allowed to conduct any political activities - including polls - within the state.

New Hampshire RSA 664:3 clearly states in part "Any political committee, except the political committee of a political party, shall register with the secretary of state as provided in this section. The committee shall register with the secretary of state not later than 24 hours after receiving any contribution in excess of $500 or before making any expenditure in excess of
$500."

The Republican Governors Association has a pattern of violating New Hampshire's campaign law. In 2004, the RGA also ignored state laws requiring it to register with the Secretary of State's office, and registered as a PAC only after the Attorney General's Office issued a cease-and-desist order and a court issued an injunction against its illegal, negative ads.

At the time, the Republican Governors Association cynically argued that its activities were "issue" oriented, claiming as a result they were exempted them from New Hampshire law. In his letter, Buckley wrote, "Since, according to the Union Leader, this poll specifically attacks Gov. Lynch and asks whether it makes someone 'more or less likely to vote for Gov. Lynch,' the RGA obviously cannot claim that this activity is 'issue' oriented."

"The Republican Governors' Association has an established pattern of blatantly and knowingly ignoring and violating New Hampshire's election laws," Buckley wrote in his letter to the Attorney General. "Given the Republican Governors Association's pattern of ignoring New Hampshire
election laws - indeed its obvious disdain for New Hampshire laws - it is clear that vigorous legal action is necessary. I urge you to fully investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

Buckley also called on Republican Party Chair Fergus Cullen, and potential Republican gubernatorial candidates Frank Guinta and Joe Kenney to act to halt the illegal activity.
"The Republican Governors Association is clearly doing this on behalf of the New Hampshire Republican Party and its potential gubernatorial candidates. The Union Leader reported today that Frank Guinta was down meeting with the Republican Governors Association not long ago. Is this the kind of help he asked for?" Buckley said. "Fergus Cullen, Frank Guinta and Joe Kenney need to step up and tell their friends to stop breaking New Hampshire law."

Buckley also asked the Attorney General to determine whether the poll was an illegal push poll, designed only to plant misleading and negative information with voters, rather than for legitimate research purposes.  For example, according to the Union Leader account, the poll makes the patently false accusation that Gov. Lynch reduced law enforcement funding, when he has actually increased the number of state troopers at the Department of Safety.

Under RSA 664:16-a, anyone conducting a push poll is required - without being asked - to disclose who is conducting the push poll, provide a telephone number, and inform the voter that the call is being made on behalf of, in support of, or in opposition to a particular candidate for public office.

"From the Union Leader account, it appears those parts of the law may also have been violated," Buckley said. "Because of the false, negative attacks and the Republican Governors Association failure to follow the law and tell voters what it was doing, I am asking the Attorney General to determine whether this is an illegal push poll."

"I applaud your vigor in investigating the potential push poll during the Republican presidential primary. I ask you to bring that same vigor to this investigation," Buckley wrote in his letter to the Attorney General.

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