I wouldn’t get too cranked about the national health care/insurance debate. As it stands right now there is no public option and funding for abortions has been taken out; another important feature is illegal aliens are out also.
Now what I thought was (at least in Concord) you could make whatever deals you needed to do to get your bill past the hearings process, then throw those deals out when it went to a committee of conference to reconcile the differences. The members of the C of C are appointed by the leadership of the house and senate and do what they are told or they are removed from the C of C, it happened to me. Then when the C of C is donethe bill comes back for a vote, up or down, no real discussion. So, all of those democrats who sold out or were scared off to support this bill will probably have done so in vain and still have to face the voters wrath in the next election.
If you look at this from a republicans stand point this is a good opportunity to pretty much wipe out the lunatic fringe of the Democratic Party that has taken control of their party and our political process in Concord and D.C. When this bill goes through, and it will, the democrats will be targeted by the voters. People whom are hoping for a quick fix for their health insurance want a quick fix. Well part of their quick fix, no matter what is in the bill, will cause them to start paying in immediately, taking 500 billion $’s out of Medicare to help pay for it, while not invoking any benefits of this bill to the voters and taxpayers for about another 4 years or more (after the next presidential elections). Besides, our Senators and Congressman always recognize a good bill when they exempt themselves from its wonderful benefits so it they don’t have to deal with it.
LIMITED LIABILITY COOPORATIONS (LLC’S)
The next time you call a plumber, or your attorney, or go see your dentist, ask them if they are an LLC and what do they think of the changes the democrats made in the NH business tax laws.
An LLC is set up by a business to limit their exposure to law suits. One of the other benefits is if you work real hard (it use to be an American tradition) make good money you reward yourself with a bigger salary at the end of the year. Another interesting part is the state is going to determine how much you should be making so they can tax you accordingly. Keep in mind NH already has a Business Profits Tax and a Business Enterprise tax. Although it is not funny but laughable NH taxes the money a business borrows to keep the business running.
During a late night session of the house finance committee it was decided to change the tax laws and tax the LLC’s; that was when they stuck campgrounds under the rooms and meals tax to the tune of about 9%. So you bring the food, you bring your lodging and we tax you for it; absolutely brilliant, just brilliant. What is particularly problematic is this was done without a proper hearing.
Now, after the fact the department of Revenue Administration is holding hearings. Although I didn’t attend, one of my friends that did told me the 300 or so business people who attended were told there were going to be more hearings but the department was not going to change the rules; I was also told the newspaper reports could not describe the anger these business people showed towards those who did this. OK, so why have the hearings, the time for people who needed to have their say was before the bill was passed and signed into law. This is just window dressing so people think they had a say, no other explanation fits.
The current leadership in the house and senate has so over spent in the budget they have to bleed us for more revenue streams.
As the last election shows, change is a wonderful thing unless that is all that is left in your pocket.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
THE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION NEW HAMPSHIRE NEEDS: SPENDING CUTS
Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is just around the corner. The Holidays come quickly and there's so much to do to get ready, but is New Hampshire ready for the budget problems awaiting the Legislature’s return to Concord in January?
Through the first five months of the budget that began July 1, 2009, revenue is $31 million below projections the budget was based upon. When December’s figures are known, the first quarter of the two year budget cycle will provide a more complete picture, but it's alarming to be already averaging $8 million under estimates per month. There’s no sugarcoating that!
Additionally, all eyes are on the NH Supreme Court’s pending decision regarding the lawsuit filed by the Joint Underwriters Association (JUA). To refresh memories, the JUA administers a fund that provides medical liability insurance for a large number of NH physicians. Budget writers, desperate for any possible revenue, simply decided to raid that fund of $110 million. Naturally the JUA filed suit. The State lost the initial round in Superior Court. Should the State lose in the Supreme Court as most observers expect, there will be an immediate $110 million budget hole combined with the growing monthly revenue shortfall.
Thus, the stage is set for the Legislature to engage in a profound debate in 2010 – more taxes versus spending reductions.
Perhaps some have already forgotten, in 2009 the Democratically controlled Legislature enacted or raised 38 taxes and fees including extending the interest and dividend tax to limited liability corporations, raising the rooms and meals tax, the cigarette tax, and auto registration fees while slapping a new tax on campers. On top of that, the Legislature raised property taxes across the state by eliminating or reducing aid to cities and towns creating another pending lawsuit that 150 communities will join.
As if that were not a full-course tax menu, the House passed both a capital gains and estate tax that the Senate rejected. The Senate passed increased business taxes that were rejected in a committee of conference. Also floated but rejected, were taxes on entertainment and mortgage refinancing, and of course the specter of an income or sales tax always lurks in the shadow of this Democratic-controlled Legislature.
And this is why we need spending cuts - now!
Several pieces of legislation designed to reduce spending have been filed, starting with a line-item veto for the Governor. New Hampshire is one of only eight states whose governor does not have this common sense authority. Regardless of whether New Hampshire’s chief executive is an Independent, Democrat or Republican, he or she should have the ability to eliminate wasteful spending subject to a legislative override.
Another piece of legislation would require New Hampshire department heads to submit budget proposals that include 5% spending reductions. Currently, department heads must propose a maintenance budget that upholds previous levels of services. State law does not require department heads to anticipate programs that are no longer necessary, have outlived their usefulness or could be reformed to achieve savings. The proposed legislation would require a department head to propose a maintenance budget that includes a 5% reduction. This type of information would help legislators to set priorities and make responsible spending decisions. If this legislation passes in 2010, it will be extremely useful as the next budget is developed and federal stimulus monies disappear.
Another piece of legislation would move the delivery of Medicaid (health care for needy individuals and families) to a managed care model that better coordinates and manages both the clinical as well as financial implications of health care services. Medicaid is one of the largest expenditures within state government costing $1.3 billion and requiring nearly 30% of NH’s annual ‘General Fund’. Moving to a managed care model could save significant sums while attaining program goals.
A group of lawmakers are meeting to develop a course correction budget that could reduce spending levels by $80 million. Another piece of legislation would reduce the fleet of automobiles used by state employees by 20% over four years. Other bills would eliminate the rooms and meals tax hike, the camping tax, and the extension of the interest and dividends tax to LLCs. This legislation would give Governor Lynch corresponding responsibility to enact spending reductions equivalent to the anticipated revenue from the tax hikes --- the exact procedure he used recently to trim personnel and save $25 million. Another bill would require super majorities in the Legislature to increase spending over and above a formula that accounts for inflation and population growth.
Additionally, legislation has been filed to allow cities and towns to enact property tax caps if they do not have existing authority or if that authority is subject to legal challenge. Lastly, two bills would enhance transparency and openness in state government by giving whistle blower protection to state employees and provide on-line access to all state spending records.
While each and every one of these pieces of legislation faces uncertain prospects, taken together they represent a long overdue initiative to reduce state spending that grew 11% in the previous budget and 10.5% in the current budget. This has happened at a time when other states across the nation were actually reducing expenditures.
The unappetizing smorgasbord of tax options New Hampshire confronts – income, sales, entertainment, business, mortgage re-financing, capital gains, estate taxes —are set against the backdrop of our state struggling to free itself of the clutches of a persistent recession that has left more than 50,000 of our friends and neighbors unemployed. If expanded gaming is approved next year, these revenues may provide some assistance, but will not be a panacea for today’s deficits or future deficits when federal dollars dry-up.
Thus, while spending cuts are difficult, they are absolutely necessary to ensure that our Live Free or Die State thrives into the future.
PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF JEB BRADLEY FOR STATE SENATE, EUGENE LEONE TREASURER
Jeb Bradley for State Senate 645 SOUTH MAIN STREET WOLFEBORO, NH 03894
Through the first five months of the budget that began July 1, 2009, revenue is $31 million below projections the budget was based upon. When December’s figures are known, the first quarter of the two year budget cycle will provide a more complete picture, but it's alarming to be already averaging $8 million under estimates per month. There’s no sugarcoating that!
Additionally, all eyes are on the NH Supreme Court’s pending decision regarding the lawsuit filed by the Joint Underwriters Association (JUA). To refresh memories, the JUA administers a fund that provides medical liability insurance for a large number of NH physicians. Budget writers, desperate for any possible revenue, simply decided to raid that fund of $110 million. Naturally the JUA filed suit. The State lost the initial round in Superior Court. Should the State lose in the Supreme Court as most observers expect, there will be an immediate $110 million budget hole combined with the growing monthly revenue shortfall.
Thus, the stage is set for the Legislature to engage in a profound debate in 2010 – more taxes versus spending reductions.
Perhaps some have already forgotten, in 2009 the Democratically controlled Legislature enacted or raised 38 taxes and fees including extending the interest and dividend tax to limited liability corporations, raising the rooms and meals tax, the cigarette tax, and auto registration fees while slapping a new tax on campers. On top of that, the Legislature raised property taxes across the state by eliminating or reducing aid to cities and towns creating another pending lawsuit that 150 communities will join.
As if that were not a full-course tax menu, the House passed both a capital gains and estate tax that the Senate rejected. The Senate passed increased business taxes that were rejected in a committee of conference. Also floated but rejected, were taxes on entertainment and mortgage refinancing, and of course the specter of an income or sales tax always lurks in the shadow of this Democratic-controlled Legislature.
And this is why we need spending cuts - now!
Several pieces of legislation designed to reduce spending have been filed, starting with a line-item veto for the Governor. New Hampshire is one of only eight states whose governor does not have this common sense authority. Regardless of whether New Hampshire’s chief executive is an Independent, Democrat or Republican, he or she should have the ability to eliminate wasteful spending subject to a legislative override.
Another piece of legislation would require New Hampshire department heads to submit budget proposals that include 5% spending reductions. Currently, department heads must propose a maintenance budget that upholds previous levels of services. State law does not require department heads to anticipate programs that are no longer necessary, have outlived their usefulness or could be reformed to achieve savings. The proposed legislation would require a department head to propose a maintenance budget that includes a 5% reduction. This type of information would help legislators to set priorities and make responsible spending decisions. If this legislation passes in 2010, it will be extremely useful as the next budget is developed and federal stimulus monies disappear.
Another piece of legislation would move the delivery of Medicaid (health care for needy individuals and families) to a managed care model that better coordinates and manages both the clinical as well as financial implications of health care services. Medicaid is one of the largest expenditures within state government costing $1.3 billion and requiring nearly 30% of NH’s annual ‘General Fund’. Moving to a managed care model could save significant sums while attaining program goals.
A group of lawmakers are meeting to develop a course correction budget that could reduce spending levels by $80 million. Another piece of legislation would reduce the fleet of automobiles used by state employees by 20% over four years. Other bills would eliminate the rooms and meals tax hike, the camping tax, and the extension of the interest and dividends tax to LLCs. This legislation would give Governor Lynch corresponding responsibility to enact spending reductions equivalent to the anticipated revenue from the tax hikes --- the exact procedure he used recently to trim personnel and save $25 million. Another bill would require super majorities in the Legislature to increase spending over and above a formula that accounts for inflation and population growth.
Additionally, legislation has been filed to allow cities and towns to enact property tax caps if they do not have existing authority or if that authority is subject to legal challenge. Lastly, two bills would enhance transparency and openness in state government by giving whistle blower protection to state employees and provide on-line access to all state spending records.
While each and every one of these pieces of legislation faces uncertain prospects, taken together they represent a long overdue initiative to reduce state spending that grew 11% in the previous budget and 10.5% in the current budget. This has happened at a time when other states across the nation were actually reducing expenditures.
The unappetizing smorgasbord of tax options New Hampshire confronts – income, sales, entertainment, business, mortgage re-financing, capital gains, estate taxes —are set against the backdrop of our state struggling to free itself of the clutches of a persistent recession that has left more than 50,000 of our friends and neighbors unemployed. If expanded gaming is approved next year, these revenues may provide some assistance, but will not be a panacea for today’s deficits or future deficits when federal dollars dry-up.
Thus, while spending cuts are difficult, they are absolutely necessary to ensure that our Live Free or Die State thrives into the future.
PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF JEB BRADLEY FOR STATE SENATE, EUGENE LEONE TREASURER
Jeb Bradley for State Senate 645 SOUTH MAIN STREET WOLFEBORO, NH 03894
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
THE AWAKENING OF AMERICA!!!!
GO TO THIS WEBSITE BEFORE YOU READ THIS ARTICLE!!
http://www.bornagainamerican.org/index.html
Unlike most republicans I am glad Obama was elected president. It seemed to go unnoticed that our country, morally, spiritually and politically was on a downward spiral.
I would like to say it was all the crazy socialists that run around masquerading as “progressive” voters; just another phrase for socialists/communists who has hijacked the Democratic Party. Out of all fairness I would be misleading to say the problems were all caused by democrats.
If we look back just a couple of elections we can remember President Clinton and what appears to be his perverted presidency. Our country accepted that as, “oh that’s just Bill”, even when there was clear evidence of a sexual assault, the voters denied that.
George Bush came in as our conservative president and started leading our country down the path of fiscal irresponsibility and over spending. He started losing support of the republicans who started turning independent, thinking why be a republican, and we don’t have any leadership.
Now we have the Chicago trained politician who is finishing the job of turning lies, misinformation and political corruptness into an action plan for his presidency and our country.
What is the difference? It is very simple; the American people are sick and tired of this and are now fighting back. I’m not involved in the tea party movement; but, I support it as a long overdue awakening, a rekindling of the American values and the very fabric of the American way of life. I expect my elected officials to have some kind of moral anchor and direction, it doesn’t have to be exactly like mine; but, something I can respect.
So thank you Obama for doing in 8 months that no other president has been able to do in more than 16 years; that is, awakening the American voter to take back our country from the politicians.
http://www.bornagainamerican.org/index.html
Unlike most republicans I am glad Obama was elected president. It seemed to go unnoticed that our country, morally, spiritually and politically was on a downward spiral.
I would like to say it was all the crazy socialists that run around masquerading as “progressive” voters; just another phrase for socialists/communists who has hijacked the Democratic Party. Out of all fairness I would be misleading to say the problems were all caused by democrats.
If we look back just a couple of elections we can remember President Clinton and what appears to be his perverted presidency. Our country accepted that as, “oh that’s just Bill”, even when there was clear evidence of a sexual assault, the voters denied that.
George Bush came in as our conservative president and started leading our country down the path of fiscal irresponsibility and over spending. He started losing support of the republicans who started turning independent, thinking why be a republican, and we don’t have any leadership.
Now we have the Chicago trained politician who is finishing the job of turning lies, misinformation and political corruptness into an action plan for his presidency and our country.
What is the difference? It is very simple; the American people are sick and tired of this and are now fighting back. I’m not involved in the tea party movement; but, I support it as a long overdue awakening, a rekindling of the American values and the very fabric of the American way of life. I expect my elected officials to have some kind of moral anchor and direction, it doesn’t have to be exactly like mine; but, something I can respect.
So thank you Obama for doing in 8 months that no other president has been able to do in more than 16 years; that is, awakening the American voter to take back our country from the politicians.
Friday, December 4, 2009
WHAT ARE WE DOING WRONG???
Over the years I have learned to be cautious and skeptical of politicians who tell us that if elected they will run government like a business. I’ve learned that most of the time we would not hire the same dummies we elect to run our business. In real life terms we would not hire someone who looks good, lies the best or has no qualifications for the job. In politics none of that matters. Who looks good and lies the best and has the money to get the word out usually wins.
Can anyone tell me what Obama’s qualifications are to run a business, little over a country in the middle of a war? Can anyone tell me what Shea Porter’s credentials are in working to fix our economy in the midst of a growing world economic battle? She is good at doing what Pelosi tells her do and usually follows without question; but, doesn’t have a clue.
We do have some rays of hope in the morass of stupidity and one is Bob Bestani running for Congress in our district with his impressive resume of dealing with economic situations, not only with banking concerns; but, also internationally with the very countries we need to deal with and stand up too. Bob, I know, is a proud American and believes in the United States; by the way that means he believes in you and me and has more than needed credentials for the job of Congressman. I don’t think Bob is in the business of running around bowing to everyone who has a title and hates the U.S.
Another person who I think is interesting is Bill Binnie who is running for the US Senate against the Republican establishment candidate Kelly Ayotte. I understand Binnie is a very successful business man who, like Bestani, has a ton of common sense. I look more for a candidate with good old Yankee common sense than PhD’s. If they have a PHD and common sense (or a master’s degree) we get a double blessing.
The republican candidates to watch in this next election are Bestani for Congress and Binnie for US Senate.
Another issue, to change the subject, is why our tax dollars is being handed out in give away programs. The government says we need small businesses to start hiring again; but, we keep handing out payments to the unemployed and to banks that are not loaning it out to small businesses. I know we need to keep money coming in to those families who have fallen on tough times. The problem is we are not promoting or helping the small businesses that need to produce, expand and hire the unemployed. I’ve known my whole life the average person wants a pay check, not a welfare check or an unemployment check. If you didn’t know, the United States is no longer a major producing country. We are more service oriented. China has become one of the largest manufacturing countries in the world.
When the government gives us cash for clunkers or cash for clunker refrigerators we use the money to buy foreign products that aids foreign workers. I only have an A.S and B.S. but a PHD in common sense and this doesn’t make sense to me.
When a nation makes it difficult for domestic companies to produce goods in their country, they will produce them in other countries, with a non US workforce. Who do we, if we need to, blame? I think we need to start with government and their desire to be everything to everyone. Let’s impose socialism on a capitalistic society and take away the incentive to work, produce and grow and complain about how we need to take care of those who can’t find a job. Remember the old saying, something to the fact of “give a person a fish and he’ll have a meal, teach him to fish and he will be able to feed himself and family for a lifetime’? (Close but no winner on remembering the saying)
Can anyone tell me what Obama’s qualifications are to run a business, little over a country in the middle of a war? Can anyone tell me what Shea Porter’s credentials are in working to fix our economy in the midst of a growing world economic battle? She is good at doing what Pelosi tells her do and usually follows without question; but, doesn’t have a clue.
We do have some rays of hope in the morass of stupidity and one is Bob Bestani running for Congress in our district with his impressive resume of dealing with economic situations, not only with banking concerns; but, also internationally with the very countries we need to deal with and stand up too. Bob, I know, is a proud American and believes in the United States; by the way that means he believes in you and me and has more than needed credentials for the job of Congressman. I don’t think Bob is in the business of running around bowing to everyone who has a title and hates the U.S.
Another person who I think is interesting is Bill Binnie who is running for the US Senate against the Republican establishment candidate Kelly Ayotte. I understand Binnie is a very successful business man who, like Bestani, has a ton of common sense. I look more for a candidate with good old Yankee common sense than PhD’s. If they have a PHD and common sense (or a master’s degree) we get a double blessing.
The republican candidates to watch in this next election are Bestani for Congress and Binnie for US Senate.
Another issue, to change the subject, is why our tax dollars is being handed out in give away programs. The government says we need small businesses to start hiring again; but, we keep handing out payments to the unemployed and to banks that are not loaning it out to small businesses. I know we need to keep money coming in to those families who have fallen on tough times. The problem is we are not promoting or helping the small businesses that need to produce, expand and hire the unemployed. I’ve known my whole life the average person wants a pay check, not a welfare check or an unemployment check. If you didn’t know, the United States is no longer a major producing country. We are more service oriented. China has become one of the largest manufacturing countries in the world.
When the government gives us cash for clunkers or cash for clunker refrigerators we use the money to buy foreign products that aids foreign workers. I only have an A.S and B.S. but a PHD in common sense and this doesn’t make sense to me.
When a nation makes it difficult for domestic companies to produce goods in their country, they will produce them in other countries, with a non US workforce. Who do we, if we need to, blame? I think we need to start with government and their desire to be everything to everyone. Let’s impose socialism on a capitalistic society and take away the incentive to work, produce and grow and complain about how we need to take care of those who can’t find a job. Remember the old saying, something to the fact of “give a person a fish and he’ll have a meal, teach him to fish and he will be able to feed himself and family for a lifetime’? (Close but no winner on remembering the saying)
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