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NH News...
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Requests for fuel aid heat up Agencies worry about meeting
demand
By Rebecca Correa
Lawrence Eagle-Tribune
July 22, 2008
It's the busiest summer on record for local and state fuel
assistance agencies. Thousands of Southern New Hampshire
residents have made inquiries and more than 500 residents have
filled out paperwork that asks the state to help heat their
homes this winter, according to Rockingham County Fuel
Assistance Director Sharon Brody. And the organization hasn't
even opened up applications to the general public yet...
More than 1,700 back tax and spending cap in Rochester
Once signatures are validated amendment will go to Nov. ballot
By John Quinn
Foster's Daily Democrat
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
ROCHESTER — More than 1,700 Lilac City voters have taken a stand
against "blank check" city spending, each signing on to
supporting a local tax cap. Their signatures helped the
taxpayers association submit a tax cap petition to the city with
more than twice the required number of supporters Monday
morning. Those figures equate to garnering nearly 40 percent of
the city's registered voters...
Tax cap backers turn in petition
By Clynton Namuo
New Hampshire Union Leader
July 22, 2008
ROCHESTER – The first of what is expected to be a statewide
flurry of tax cap charter amendment petitions was turned into
city hall yesterday morning. The petition, organized by the
anti-tax group New Hampshire Advantage Coalition, seeks to amend
the city charter to tie the growth of the city's tax rate to the
rate of inflation...
Lynch promotes centralized purchasing at Portsmouth conference
By Charles McMahon
Foster's Daily Democrat
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
PORTSMOUTH — Gov. John Lynch made a stop in the Port City
Tuesday morning and before a crowd of state purchasing officers
from throughout the East Coast spoke about the need to
centralize and standardize purchasing efforts. Held at the
Sheraton Harborside Hotel, Lynch was the center of attention as
various members of The National Association of State Procurement
Officials (NASPO) met for their annual Eastern Regional
Cooperative Development meeting...
Lynch pleased with progress on the Spaulding
By Josh Rosenson
Foster's Daily Democrat
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
ROCHESTER — Gov. John Lynch was pleased to see the progress
being made at Exit 12 Tuesday morning, as the Spaulding Turnpike
project is currently on target to be completed on time and on
budget. The four-year, $177 million project, which will replace
16 bridges, and widen 5.7 miles of travel lanes between Exits 12
and 16, is scheduled for completion in 2012...
Energy plan: McCain would open 45 nuclear reactors across
country
By John DiStaso
New Hampshire Union Leader
July 23, 2008
MANCHESTER – On his third visit to New Hampshire in four months,
John McCain yesterday defended his energy and tax cut plans, his
votes on home heating assistance and said the United States is
clearly winning the war in Iraq. McCain, placed by two recent
state polls in a dead heat with Barack Obama in this
battleground state, said he would consider the viability of
uncapping the long-closed Seabrook Unit 2 to determine if it may
fit with his plan to open 45 nuclear reactors across the country
by 2030 to help the nation become energy independent...
With gas prices up, so is ridership for Downeaster
Officials hope to expand capacity and extend the rail to
Brunswick after a 28 percent rise in riders.
By David Sharp
Associated Press
July 22, 2008
Rising gas prices played a role in a 28 percent gain in
ridership for Amtrak's Downeaster in the latest fiscal year, and
operators of the Portland-to-Boston service are looking at
options to accommodate future growth, officials said Monday. The
ridership gain was the biggest for any Amtrak line in the period
ending June 30. Revenue for the month of June set an all-time
record of more than $590,000, said Patricia Quinn, executive
director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority.
On average, 947 more passengers rode the Portland-to-Boston
train every day, and ticket revenue grew 33 percent for the
year, Quinn said...
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US
SENATE
Senators' lesser-known pot of money
By Sarah Liebowitz
Concord Monitor
July 23, 2008
When it comes to money in politics, candidates' campaign
accounts tend to grab the spotlight. But many established
politicians throughout the nation, including New Hampshire Sens.
John Sununu and Judd Gregg, have an additional, lesser-known pot
of money. These accounts - called leadership political action
committees - serve a different purpose than campaign accounts:
They're designed to distribute money to other candidates and
political committees, and candidates are barred from using their
leadership PACs to directly advance their own campaigns...
A big November ahead for Senate Democrats
Three experts tell Salon that the party may expand its Senate
majority by half a dozen seats, but they also think at least one
Democratic incumbent is vulnerable.
By Thomas F. Schaller
Salon
July 22, 2008
In the second of two Salon conversations forecasting the
November congressional elections, three experts share their
opinions about the prospects for Democratic gains in the Senate.
Jennifer Duffy is senior editor of the Cook Political Report,
where she covers U.S. Senate and governor races. Since 2001,
Nathan Gonzales has been political editor of the Rothenberg
Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter covering U.S. House,
Senate and gubernatorial campaigns. Amy Walter is editor of the
Hotline, the premier daily news digest of Washington politics.
They spoke to Salon by phone...
...Walter: It's pretty easy. I doubt we'll disagree that Mary
Landrieu [of Louisiana] is No. 1 for Democrats and that John
Sununu is the top most vulnerable Republican incumbent.
Schaller: Is there any disagreement there, Jennifer and Nathan?
Duffy: Not at all...
Shaheen to focus on energy
By Brian Lawson
Polticker NH
July 21, 2008
Throughout the week, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) will
be barnstorming the Granite State to meet with voters about
rising energy prices. Details of the events have not yet been
released but Shaheen will be making stops in Salem, Concord,
Littleton, Plymouth, Claremont, Newport and Rochester...
NRSC re-launches anti-Shaheen website
By Brian Lawson
Politicker NH
July 21, 2008
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has re-launched
their website criticizing Jeanne Shaheen's (D-Madbury)
gubernatorial record. The site, "The Shaheen Record," includes
videos and briefings outlining Shaheen's record. The site can be
found at:
theshaheenrecord.com...
KENNEY
Kenney says N.H. ‘built’ for McCain
By Brian Lawson
Politicker NH
July 23, 2008
ROCHESTER-State Sen. Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield) says that New
Hampshire is "built" for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). "New
Hampshire is built for John McCain. It's great to have him
back," Kenney told PolitickerNH.com. "The more time he spends in
New Hampshire the more people love him. As New Hampshire goes,
so goes the nation"...
BOSSE
2nd District GOP hopeful Bosse proposes spending cuts
By Kevin Landrigan
Nashua Telegraph
July 22, 2008
CONCORD – Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse, of
Hillsborough, said if elected, he would vote against aid for New
Hampshire to curb federal spending if need be. "If voters want
somebody to bring home the bacon, I am not their candidate,''
said Bosse, a former state and federal legislative aide. Bosse
targeted eliminating the federal subsidy for ethanol, a
corn-based fuel, as the first of 50 spending cuts he would
propose over the final seven weeks leading to the Sept. 9
primary...
Bosse's first cut would be ethanol subsidy
By Melanie Asmar
Concord Monitor
July 22, 2008
Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse said yesterday
that he plans to name one program he'd cut from the federal
budget on each of the 50 days remaining until the Sept. 9
primary. First on Bosse's chopping block? The 51-cent-per-gallon
subsidy for domestic ethanol production. Eliminating the subsidy
"would mean real savings for taxpayers and real savings for
families at the grocery store," Bosse said. The subsidy drives
up gas prices and hurts the environment, he said...
HORN
Horn appears to have violated FEC law
By Wally Edge
Polticker NH
July 22, 2008
Second District Congressional candidate Grant Bosse has filed an
official complaint to the Federal Election Commission against
rival Jennifer Horn. Bosse charges Horn used general election
money during the primary campaign during the first quarter of
2008, but a PolitickerNH.com analysis over the past week show
the violations go much deeper...
Horn announces county chairs
By Brian Lawson
Politicker NH
July 21, 2008
Congressional candidate Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua) has released
the list of supporters who will lead her grassroots efforts. The
County Leadership Teams will organize get-out-the-vote efforts
and local volunteers...
STATE
SENATE
District 6 Republican candidate says his beliefs are 'central'
By John Quinn
Foster's Daily Democrat
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
ROCHESTER — Republican Fenton Groen pledged to be completely
transparent and promised not to abandon or obscure any of his
beliefs or adopt new ones to get elected to the state Senate
this year. Groen, 58, officially kicked off his campaign to
challenge incumbent Jackie Cilley, D-Barrington, for the
District 6 seat at a barbecue at his home on Chapman Drive
Thursday afternoon...
Kruse to officially kick-off campaign
By Brian Lawson
Politicker NH
July 22, 2008
State Senate candidate Doug Kruse (R-Manchester) will officially
launch his campaign on August 6th with a fundraiser. The
kick-off event and fundraiser with take place at Manchester's
The Belmont Hall & Restaurant on Grove Street. State Sen. Ted
Gatsas (R-Manchester), state Rep., and Manchester Republican
Chairman, Will Infantine (R-Manchester and Alderman Mike Garrity
(R-Manchester) will serve as event co-chairs...
BUCKLEY
Video shows Buckley critical of Lynch
By Brian Lawson
Politicker NH
July 21, 2008
A new video posted on the internet shows New Hampshire
Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley telling a Democratic
activist that he has "problems" with Democratic Gov. John Lynch.
"Do I have problems with John Lynch? Do a lot of people?
Absolutely. I have problems with just about everybody," Buckley
said in a video posted by the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition
(NHAC)...
BILLY
SHAHEEN
Billy Shaheen tells Dems to work ‘every day’
By Brian Lawson
Politicker NH
July 21, 2008
MANCHESTER- Campaigning for his wife, Billy Shaheen told a crowd
of Democrats that they must work "every day" until the November
election. Shaheen's appearance were the first public comments he
has made since he resigned as co-chairman of U.S. Sen. Hillary
Clinton's New Hampshire campaign after he made controversial
remarks about U.S. Sen. Barack Obama...
THE
BROWNS
Evaluation ordered for Brown aider
He will spend 30 days at psychiatric facility
By Margot Sanger-Katz
Concord Monitor
July 22, 2008
A federal judge has ordered the psychiatric evaluation of a man
recently convicted of bringing guns and bombs to tax evaders Ed
and Elaine Brown. The judge said that while he's skeptical the
man has mental illness that would prevent him from participating
in his sentencing hearing, he has ordered the test in an effort
to be "scrupulous"...
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Obama, McCain in a dead heat in N.H.
Poll also finds war less important than economy for voters;
Republican stops here today
By Kevin Landrigan
Nashua Telegraph
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
CONCORD – Presidential nominees to be Sens. Barack Obama and
John McCain are locked in a dead heat in New Hampshire according
to an independent poll on the eve of McCain’s return to this key
swing state today. Obama leads McCain among likely voters, 46
percent to 43 percent but that is within the poll’s margin of
error of plus or minus 4.5 percent...
UNH poll: The battle for McBama
By Dante Scala
Politicker NH
July 22, 2008
The latest University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll
supports Rasmussen surveys that indicate a significant swing
toward Barack Obama over the past few months. While the two
polling outfits differ over the magnitude of the swing (21
points pro-Obama in Rasmussen; 9 points in UNH), the direction
is identical. Drilling down into the UNH crosstabs, partisans
have remained stable in their support:...
Heads Up
By Jennifre Skalka
Hotline on Call
July 22, 2008
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center is expected to
release it's latest poll tomorrow of the state's hot Senate
contest between GOP Sen. John Sununu and former Dem Gov. Jeanne
Shaheen...
A word of warning in advance of the UNH Poll
By Laura Clawson
Blue Hampshire
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sometime in the near future, we can expect to see new polling on
the state's congressional races from the UNH survey center.
Before those numbers come out, I want to do a little refresher
on why no one should take them very seriously. Short version:
UNH polls have serious sampling problems...
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NH polls...
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Op
Ed...
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Editorial: LIHEAP and paygo: Gregg traps Hodes, Shea-Porter
New Hampshire Union Leader
Monday, July 21, 2008
ON JAN. 5, 2007, Reps. Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter voted
for a U.S. House rule called "paygo." It forbids deficit
spending by requiring that Congress actually have the money to
pay for whatever new spending its members approve. Fast forward
to this summer. With the price of home heating oil predicted to
be almost double last winter's price, Sen. Judd Gregg has
proposed doubling federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP). To pay for that additional $2.5
billion, Sen. Gregg' bill eliminates some corporate tax breaks.
This is exactly the type of spending offset that Hodes and
Shea-Porter voted to mandate. Yet they oppose Gregg' bill
because it doesn't spend additional billions Washington doesn't
have...
Editorial: Rochester tax cap is on a fast track
Foster's Daily Democrat
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The petition drive was a slam-dunk and Rochester is likely to be
the second city in Strafford County to establish a cap on
property taxes and the spending that drives them. More than
1,700 Rochester voters have signed petitions giving them and
others the opportunity to restrict spending increases and the
accompanying tax hikes...
Editorial: New law could make bicycling a little safer
Concord Monitor
July 22, 2008
Riding a bicycle on city streets and rural roads is an act of
faith. Will the motorist see the cyclist and give him wide berth
as he passes? Or will he be changing a CD or tuning the radio
and drift to the edge of the road? Will the driver turn right
suddenly and cut the rider off? In crashes between cyclists and
cars, cyclists always lose. The only way to prevent such crashes
is to give each form of travel its own lane. An analysis of all
reported bicycle-vehicle crashes in Wisconsin in 2002 found that
by far the lowest rate occurred on roads with paved shoulders 5
feet wide or more. That's the ideal, but the reality is that
bikes and motor vehicles have to share the road. Last week,
thanks to a campaign led by Lebanon Rep. Gene Andersen and his
wife Judy, Gov. John Lynch signed into law a bill that will make
bicycling a little bit safer...
Editorial: An unprecedented meeting between N.H. elected
officials and the NRC
Keene Sentinel
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
It was a unique event in the annals of the Vermont Yankee
nuclear plant. Last week, in Washington, D.C., a New Hampshire
congressman and a New Hampshire state senator actually met with
an official of the Nuclear Regulator Commission to discuss
matters of safety. Until that meeting, it often seemed that New
Hampshire officials believed people around here would be
shielded from any serious incident at the plant by the state
border and, failing that, by an evacuation plant that is an
unfunny logistical joke...
New Hampshire can no longer afford to go without passenger rail
By Mark Richardson
New Hampshire Union Leader
July 23, 2008
PASSENGER TRAINS move people around quickly, efficiently and
safely. They are environmentally friendly, aid national security
by reducing reliance on scarce resources, and help at times like
this when one in four state residents does not drive and
$4-a-gallon gas hurts many of those who do. These -- and many
other -- benefits are clear. The issue in New Hampshire, with no
sales or income tax, is the belief that trains always lose
money. Prudence is laudable, but we need to stop looking at only
train operating costs and start looking at the overall economic
impact rail service has on communities...
Where did the state suddenly get money to study trains?
By Charles M. Arlinghaus
New Hampshire Union Leader
July 23, 2008
FINDING A LITTLE extra money from the taxpayers to help out your
friends is always more popular than cutting spending to balance
the budget. It shouldn't surprise us that just weeks after the
latest round of spending cuts, some administrators are talking
about finding some of our money to help out their favored
projects. The broad parameters of the state's situation are well
known. Revenues came in about 2.5 percent higher than last year
but are nonetheless below the amount budgeted. Projections are
for a two-year revenue shortfall of around $200 million. To fix
the problem, Gov. John Lynch proposed a few smaller tax
increases, issued executive orders to cut back some spending and
borrowed the money for the difference...
Jeb Bradley is the best choice for NH's veterans
By Paul J. Chevalier
New Hampshire Union Leader
July 23, 2008
I AND NINE other past department commanders of the New Hampshire
Veterans of Foreign Wars want voters to understand what is at
stake in the 1st District congressional race. New Hampshire
veterans lost a true ally in the United States Congress when Jeb
Bradley was not re-elected. Jeb served on both the Armed
Services and Veterans Affairs committees and used those
committee assignments to push for improved benefits and
resources for veterans' health care...
A View To A Drill
By Kathy Sullivan
Blue Hampshire
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Back on June 26, in a conference call with reporters, John
Sununu spoke about the need, in his opinion, to increase
domestic oil production. Sununu has been a proponent of the
View To a Drill school of thought - just open up all of the
United States to oil drilling, and life will be fine. However,
the reality is, American energy companies aren't that interested
in finding more oil or investing in alternative sources of
energy...
Political Posturing Won't Heat Our Homes
By Dean Barker
Blue Hampshire
Monday, July 21, 2008
I should probably start off with some good news - the public
servants who represent us federally and statewide, no matter
where they are on the party spectrum, have gotten the message
that New Hampshire (and New England) is facing an unprecedented
home heating crisis that is scarier than any horror movie. So
hoo-ray! for Judd Gregg to rush in first on the scene with a
plan, as
featured prominently by the Union Leader:...
Shaheen’s week on energy
By Drew Cline
New Hampshire Union Leader Blog
Monday July 21, 2008
Jeanne Shaheen plans to spend this week talking to New Hampshire
voters about energy. The only thing better for Sen. John Sununu
would be for her to spend the week talking about taxes...
Jeb Bradley and John Stephen: Questions Loom Over Both
By Chaz Proulx
NH Insider
July 21, 2008
It’s still too early to even guess who will win the Republican
Primary for Congress in District One. So until the primary is
over I’m not going to invest too much time writing about either
Jeb Bradley or John Stephen. Nevertheless, looming questions
await both of them...
Granite State Dem Leaders: If you listen closely, you can almost
hear them as they plot to tax us in ways unimagined only a short
while ago...
By Doug
GraniteGrok
July 21, 2008
No matter whose interpretation you accept, you know that at the
end of the day, Biundo's take is accurate, and most thinking
persons will know this. What am I talking about? This video:...
Anti-Tax Groups Gaining Momentum in New Hampshire?
Mr Pink Eyes
Wake Up America!
July 22, 2008
There have been a couple of anti-tax groups that have begun to
flex their muscles here in New Hampshire. The one I am writing
about today is called the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition and
they have been very active in trying to get tax cap legislation
on the ballot in several locations this November. Their effort
may be paying off as they have succeedded in getting enough
signatures to get this issue to a vote in Rochester. But they
are not done, they also are trying to gain enough signatures to
force a vote on this legislation, which ties tax increases to
the rate of inflation, in Concord, Merrimack, Somersworth,
Londonderry, Portsmouth and Bedford, and Manchester...
The Sununu Myth gets a Shine From Landrigan
By elwood
Blue Hampshire
Monday, July 21, 2008
As Republicans fall left and right in New Hampshire, pundits
invested in the old conventional wisdom of GOP dominance
concentrate their faith in fewer and fewer incumbents. Those
incumbents become more and more legendary for their supposed
political strengths. Sunday
Kevin Landrigan demonstrated the phenomenon in the
Telegraph. Reporting on Shaheen outraising Sununu by 50% in the
second quarter - oh, wait, he didn't really mention that - he
warns us of how powerful and wily the incumbent is...
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