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In a 45 minute state of the state speech crammed full of “it goes without saying” pablum and devoid of any specifics on much ballyhooed spending cuts, New Hampshire governor John Lynch saved his severest criticism for fellow Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, former governor and current U.S. Senator.
Without mentioning Shaheen by name, Lynch noted how a [...]

At a time when even most Democrats around Concord (honest ones at least) admit their party is going to lose control of the New Hampshire House come November, Democratic leaders were trying desperately yesterday to keep their colleagues, especially those in swing districts,  from voting in favor of Jesse Osborne’s income tax bill (HB642).

They failed.
Two [...]

For those who wondered how the state could have come in nearly $300 million short in revenues last year and still gotten by, a real eye opening answer was presented the joint House Finance, Ways and Means, and Public Works Committees this morning by Steve Norton of the NH Public Policy Center and Charler Arlinghaus [...]

Here’s a response I sent to a constituent who took the time to write me complaining about an 87 percent increase in registering his inflatable boat.
Daniel,
Thank you for your letter of January 1 regarding the increased fee for your inflatable boat (from $24.00 to $37.50).  I suggest you send similar correspondence to the ward’s other [...]

To:  House Speaker Terie Norelli
From:  Steve Vaillancourt, Hills. 15
“The only people who will draw conclusions are those who want to play a political game and I’m not up for those political games.”
Thanks to audio tapes, we know that those are the precise words Finance Committee Chair Marjorie Smith spoke to the House in abusing unanimous [...]

Three new Rasmussen polls early in the new year are such bad news for Democrats that left wing bloggers have begun an age-old tactic, attack the messenger.  Rasmussen, who was among the first to catch signs of the Democratic tide in 2006 and who nailed the 2008 presidential result almost exactly, is now being blasted [...]

Oh what a difference a few days make.  I am rewriting the article posted here about state revenues last Wednesday.   The projected $15 million shortfall will not be reported when numbes finally come out.  In fact, a most deceptive $3 million surplus for December will be reported.
As an end of the month accounting procedure, $8.7 million [...]

If the election were held today, would you vote for an unnamed Democrat or Republican for Congress?  That’s known as the generic ballot question, and the Rasmussen version is my single favorite indicator in gauging voter sentiment.  Prior to the 2008 elections, Democrats held a seven point advantage.  Today, it’s Republicans by seven (or eight) points. [...]

            Fast away the old year passes.  Let’s ring in the new with a look at the best and worst of 2009 in Manchester politics.
            Best Manchester Politician—Ward 10 Alderman Elect Phil Greazzo.  A year ago, in the race for eight West Side State Rep seats, he finished 15th.  Two years ago, he lost to [...]

I hardly ever agree with Time Magazine’s choice for person of the year.  Remember when they put a piece of plastic on the cover and told people to look at the reflection because you are person of the year.  One of this year’s finalists apparently was the Chinese worker.
Call me old-fashioned but I’ve always believed a person [...]