NH Political Thread. For Discussion of NH Politics. (Nashua, Concord: 2010, cabinet)

[blessedme]

I thought it was a public board, that belonged to city-data. I am not very verse in the business of message boards and don't have a good knowledge of how they operate, but I would have never imagined that this one belongs to "somebody".

And it doesn't have to be paid "taxpayers", there are plenty of websites that sustain themselves by advertising.

Anywhooo, it doesn't matter, now that I know how this works, I will act accordingly.

[Mrtwigg]

Originally Posted by GreenGene

I think you missed a few (but none of mine! )


I read the article written by Senator Gregg. Isn't the whole article talking about a national health care plan? He's not talking strictly about New Hampshire, right? Or is it enough that he's a senator from New Hampshire?

From the article:

"CPR—Coverage, Prevention, Reform—is a plan I have proposed that sets up a system where every American will be required to purchase meaningful health insurance to ensure each family will be protected against bankruptcy if a family member becomes seriously ill or injured."

Seems to me that a discussion of this article would be more appropriate in the Politics & Other Controversies forum.

Requiring every Americian to purchase health insurance ?

That's how Massachusetts "solved" their health care crisis.
Its also one of the reasons why the working class is leaving Ma. in droves.

I say leave the thread here.

Its a good way to contrast the mindset of those seeking another Commonwealth up here with a more conservative view.

[GregW]

I recieved a e-mail from my wife containing a copy of a letter on this subject to the Manchester Union Leader by State Representative Michael Marsh from Greenland, NH. I copied his letter and have posted it below. These are his words and not mine although I do agree with him.

Quote
First, it is a Republican talking point — and nothing more — that the budget increased 17 percent last year. The total state budget was $9.3 billion for the previous biennium, and $10.3 billion for the current two years. This is an increase of a little under 11 percent, not 17 percent. Virtually all of this increase was in statutory items that the state is obligated to pay for and has no control over. These include a 45 percent increase in money for the state employees' retirement system to make up for under-funding in past budgets, catastrophic aid, school building aid, and increases in Medicaid payments.

In past years, legislative practice was to leave many expenses out of the budget in order to keep the budget number low in newspaper headlines. Instead, millions of dollars of expenses that should have been included in the initial budget were quietly approved after the fact. Under the "truth-in-budgeting" process instituted by Democratic leadership last year, this has ended. Now, all anticipated spending must be in the budget, not brought in through the backdoor when no one is looking.

The increase in discretionary spending was only 3 percent, and this went to fund programs with wide bi-partisan support like ending the Developmentally Disabled waiting list, LCHIP, and increasing enrollment in the Healthy Kids program, or to replace lost federal funds for AIDS health care and preventing bioterrorism. This 3 percent increase is less than the rate of inflation, and is one reason why, under John Lynch, our state taxes and spends a smaller amount of our personal income than any other state.

Second, Mr. Fabrizio takes the state's revenue projections to task, saying that anyone could see a recession was coming. This would come as news to the Portsmouth Herald's parent company, the Dow Jones & Company's Wall Street Journal, which polls 54 leading economists across the world monthly to get their forecasts on a range of economic issues. When our state revenue projections were being prepared a year ago, these economists said that the chance of recession was 20 percent. This is the about normal chance of a recession in any year. These economists grew worried in the fall only after the budget was completed, and started flashing warning signals in November and December with the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the drop in consumer spending. The financial and investment world also believed a recession was unlikely as late as October, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted an all-time high.

So far, state revenues are still essentially on target, we are not overspending, and the budget is balanced. But the economy has softened, the chances of a national recession are greater, future state revenues are at risk, and we face a potential $50 million deficit. Gov. Lynch and legislative leaders reacted immediately and prudently in dealing with this risk. No new non-emergency spending will be approved and department heads have been told to look where they can cut expenses to make sure the state doesn't go into the red. Mr. Fabrizio said the governor "has not stated a commitment against tax increases." We disagree. As a member of the Ways and Means committee tasked with reviewing taxes and fees, we have received the message very clearly from leadership that new taxes and fees are not welcome. The Democratic Legislature understands the way to help the people of this state through a difficult economic climate is not to add to their tax burden.

The recession is not just a problem in the Granite State. It is affecting states governed by Democratic and Republican legislatures alike. Twenty-seven other states have already announced deficits totaling $35 billion, and this list is likely to grow. Fortunately New Hampshire faces one of the smallest deficits, a result of our Yankee frugality and because we fund our government from a wide variety of revenue sources. Our state will get through this economic downturn, and when we do, we trust Mr. Fabrizio will fulfill his promise to give credit where it is due.

Rep. Michael Marsh, Greenland

Rep. Bennett Moore, Hampton

Rep. Susan Kepner, Hampton

Rep. Jim Powers, Portsmouth

Rep. Trinka Russell, Exeter

Unquote

[buck naked]

thank you greg

In past years, legislative practice was to leave many expenses out of the budget in order to keep the budget number low in newspaper headlines.


^^ most important sentence in the letter...I've pointed the same thing out before only to have the posts removed as "off topic" - let's hope your post stays at least a day

[GregW]

I was requested to provide some clarification that the budget increase was a shift in items to the budget. I am looking for more details. This was discussed in the Rockingham County Democratic Committee meeting at the Loaf & Ladel in Exeter last night.

[OCCASparky]

Greg, sorry--but the budget during the 2007-8 DID increase by 17 percent, and by another 11 percent in the current term of 2009-10.

Try again.

[buck naked]

from the letter - The total state budget was $9.3 billion for the previous biennium, and $10.3 billion for the current two years.


to clarify, you are claiming the budget increased from the 2005-2006 era by 17%?

One-time revenue sources, such as transfers from the Pease Development Authority or other funds, can't be used to support spending year after year.

[buck naked]

New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg has introduced a bill that would prohibit the use of stimulus funds for signs that say a project is being carried out using those funds.

It's called the "Axe The Stimulus Plaques Act."

Gregg had no objections to slapping his own name to projects he earmarked for New Hampshire:

– Gregg earmarked $500,000 in federal money to Plymouth State University for the “Judd Gregg Meteorology Institute.”

– “Gregg Hall” at the University of New Hampshire was dedicated after Gregg secured $266 million in federal funds for the university.

– “The Judd Gregg Library” was dedicated after Gregg secured $150,000 for the Nashua Police Athletic League.

The Center for Responsive Politics has also reported that Gregg helped funnel $66 million in earmarks to help create a business park where Gregg and his brother own up to $1,050,000 in real estate ventures.

Given the obvious conflict of interest of that earmark and his own penchant for naming earmark-funded buildings after himself, Gregg’s crusade against stimulus signs might seem a bit trivial.


stimulus construction signs let taxpayers see that their money is not only going to job creation, but to building worthwhile things that will be of actual use to them.

[seamusnh]

When the mandatory parts of the budget are included, it is a 17.5% budget increase spread over two years. The Boston Globe got it right:

"The debate over taxes is the latest sign of political change in New England's most conservative state, where Democrats currently control both houses of the Legislature, and Lynch, a Democrat, is in his second term. Last year, some conservatives cringed as lawmakers approved a 17 percent state budget increase."
N.H. group makes pitch for new taxes - The Boston Globe

Lynch can say it was all beyond his control and there was nothing he could have done about it. Fine. Let's put a leader in the governor's chair who is willing to take control and do something...

[GregW]

So far the Democrats have been the only party to provide open government in New Hampshire. The Republicans have been using the State as a private playpen for decades. We threw them out and we intend to keep them out.

The egomaniacal behavior of Senator Gregg is a fine example. Particularly getting federal money for a real estate venture he just happens to own. I expect nothing less from him. And nothing more.