News and Views

“Toll Tax Increase Due to High Spending, Poor Management”
By Fergus Cullen, Chairman New Hampshire Republicans

Gov. John Lynch is raising toll taxes for the second time, and the current hike is just phase one of three planned increases coming down the pike.

I question whether the Lynch toll tax increases would be necessary now, or if they would have to be so large, if spending at the Department of Transportation had been better managed during the first three years of the Lynch administration, and during six years of the Shaheen administration before that.

The first Lynch toll tax increase came when Gov. Lynch cut the toll token discount from 50 percent to 30 percent with the introduction of E-ZPass two years ago. The Lynch administration plans future toll increases at Hampton (to $2) and all other tolls (to $1) by 2010, as well as phasing out the E-ZPass discount altogether.

According to the Legislative Budget Office and published reports, about half of the DOT highway fund (supported by the gas tax) is detoured to fund non-transportation items. For example, last week Councilor Ray Burton noticed a $546 line item for a rug for the Board of Tax and Land Appeals coming out of highway trust funds. That sort of siphoning has to stop.

I am also suggesting the latest Lynch toll tax increase was rushed and poorly thought out — evidenced by Councilor Beverly Hollingworth’s last-minute idea to double the proposed increase at the Hampton toll on Interstate 95.

Giving a government agency more money than it asks for is never a wise idea. In this case, Hollingworth’s proposal gave the DOT 50 percent more than it wanted, raising new toll revenues from $16 million to $24 million.

Commissioner Charles O’Leary called Councilor Hollingworth “brave” for suggesting the higher-than-requested increase. There you have it, folks: John Lynch and Beverly Hollingworth have the courage to raise taxes.

Fiscal conservatives know that it takes more courage to cut spending than it does to raise taxes, and that sort of real courage is utterly lacking in the Lynch administration.

Earlier this year, Gov. Lynch increased car registration fees (which also go to the DOT) and real estate transfer taxes, fueling a 17 percent rise in overall state spending. Gov. Lynch has repeatedly shown he has no philosophical opposition to higher spending and higher taxes. The Lynch toll tax increase is just the latest example.

I drive the Spaulding nearly every day. Like everyone who drives in the Seacoast, I’ve been stuck for an hour in northbound traffic trying to get over the General Sullivan bridge on a Friday night, delayed in the rush hour jam after the Rochester tolls, and baffled by the sometimes random morning backup after the Dover tolls heading south. Just as thousands of others do every day, I find myself griping the wheel tightly and having to focus intently while driving the dangerous undivided section between exits 12 and 15.

Aside from inconvenience, traffic congestion is limiting economic growth in the region. No one except radical anti-growth environmentalists argues that our transportation infrastructure doesn’t need expansion and maintenance.

User fees — tolls, gas taxes, and car registration fees — are the appropriate way to fund needed infrastructure work. But that doesn’t relieve Gov. Lynch of the responsibility to manage how our tax dollars are used better, so that he might need fewer of them.

Fergus Cullen
Chairman, New Hampshire Republican Party
10 Water Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-225-9341
fergus@nhgop.org

NH DEMS, GOV. LYNCH TOOK HSU TAINTED CASH: Have you followed the scandal about Hillary’s fugitive fundraiser, Norman Hsu? Turns out Hsu gave $2,000 to Gov. Lynch last year, plus $5,000 to the NH Democrat Party and $5,000 to the NH Senate Caucus PAC. And, someone who lived at a house connected to Hsu gave another $2,000 to Lynch. Looks like the Dems will have to give it to charity. I hope they use a legit charity like the United Way or the Red Cross and not some group like Move On.

Read more at: NH Democrat Fundraising Scandal

SPECIAL INTEREST GAY RIGHTS GROUP AFFECTED NH ELECTIONS: I hope everyone saw this article in the Concord Monitor about how the Human Rights Campaign, a special interest group that advocates on gay rights issues, was active in NH last year.

Read more at: Special Interests Affected NH Elections

HODES & SHEA-PORTER, AKA “THE PELOSI TWINS”: The three of them vote together 98-99% of the time.

Check out: Hodes, Porter vote with Pelosi

SHEA-PORTER FINALLY HOLDS A TOWN HALL MEETING: Eight months after coming into office, Rep. Shea-Porter is finally holding her first NH town meeting. On her list of priorities, meeting with her New Hampshire constituents ranked below touring Guam, China, and Alaska and attending Georgetown parties with Arianna Huffington. Perhaps you’d like to attend to ask her some questions? Sat. 9/8 at 11:00 at the Carpenter School, Wolfeboro, 102 South Main Street (Rt. 109) or Sunday, 9/9 at 4:00 p.m. at Manchester City Hall, Elm Street.

HUMOR: “The Washington Post reports that Senator Hillary Clinton is trying to win the Democratic nomination by reaching out to women. After hearing this, Bill Clinton said, ‘Oh sure, when she does it, it’s okay.’” –Conan O’Brien

“Hillary Clinton says if she is elected president, she will use Bill Clinton as an ambassador because ’she can’t think of a better cheerleader for America.’ To which Bill Clinton said, ‘I can think of 20 and I have their phone numbers.’” –Conan O’Brien

“Hillary Clinton said today that public appearances with her and Bill would be rare. The only thing more rare? Private appearances with her and Bill.” –Jay Leno

Fergus Cullen
Chairman, New Hampshire Republican Party
10 Water Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-225-9341
fergus@nhgop.org

MEMORIAL DAY: We pause today to remember those who wore the uniform in the past, and to thank those who make us proud of their service today.

SEN. LARSON’S TAX INCREASE: Last Friday, the day before the holiday weekend when it would escape much notice, NH Senate President Larson introduced a new 6.5% current use tax. This tax would be paid to the state, on top of the 10% already paid to the town, when a landowner transfers land out of current use. Current use is one of those little policies that makes New Hampshire great: It provides an incentive (really, a thank you) for landowners who maintain their land undeveloped, usually while also allowing others to use it for recreation or just to enhance scenic vistas, without having the land taxed at its market value. Just over half of all land in NH is estimated to be in “current use,” and even if you do not directly benefit from the tax break, you do benefit in terms of maintaining the rural character of our state. I hope all Republicans will contact your legislators and urge them to say no to Sen. Larson’s current use tax increase.

FIRST DEBATE IN THE FIRST IN THE NATION STATE: On June 5, all the Republican candidates will be in NH on June 5 for the Union Leader / CNN / WMUR debate. If your local committee isn’t planning a debate watching party, why don’t you organize one? Either way, tune it!

JUNE 6 PRESIDENTIAL GALA DINNER: The next night is our annual dinner at the Center of NH Radisson Hotel in Manchester. Five candidates are confirmed (Sam Brownback, Duncan Hunter, Mitt Romney, Tom Tancredo, and Tommy Thompson) and we may pick up one or two more, and CSPAN will be covering it live. Tickets at $125 each. Call us at 225-9341 for more info or register online: https://webp2.i4servers.net/nhgop.org/donate.html

THE WHALLEY AMENDMENT: House Republicans, led by Mike Whalley of Alton, have come up with a positive ed funding amendment that significantly improves on the Governor’s proposal. The Whalley/Republican amendment establishes the legislature, not the courts, as the superior policy-making branch on the issue; acknowledges that ed funding can be a shared responsibility between the state and local communities; allows targeting; and lowers the threshold of court scrutiny. This amendment deserves widespread support.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK: Sen. Maggie Hassan of Exeter gets herself nominated for Head Nanny of the Democrat’s Nanny State with this quote defending mandatory seatbelt laws: “I am not doing this because I think I know what’s best for anybody else,” said Sen. Maggie Hassan, an Exeter Democrat who co-sponsored the seat-belt bill. “But I do know what’s best for…my constituents.” (Concord Monitor, May 22). Far better is GOP Rep. Andy Peterson’s reply: “This is a bill that people are going to feel impacts their lives before they even get out of their own driveways.” Meanwhile, Gov. John Lynch, as usual, can’t make up his mind on the seatbelt law: “The governor is continuing to talk with lawmakers about the issue,” said Lynch spokesman Colin Manning. Does the Gov. have a gut reaction – suggesting a core value – about anything?

WELCOME: To our new Executive Director, Steve DeMaura, who started with us two weeks ago. Steve is a product of Peterborough’s Con-Val High School and George Washington University. Among Steve’s responsibilities, look for a totally revamped website soon. You can reach Steve at steve@nhgop.org or 225-9341.

JOB OPENING OF THE WEEK: A friend of the party noticed this posting online recently (this is not made up!): “PRESS SECRETARY – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) seeks a press secretary for her DC office. Must have experience dealing with the press,
knowledge of issues and excellent writing skills. Will be responsible for dealing with press inquiries, pitching stories, writing press releases and writing material for online communications. The ideal candidate will have experience in a Congressional press office or on a political campaign. Specific knowledge of New Hampshire politics is a big plus. Please send an email with a resume and three writing samples to —.This position will be filled quickly.”
A wag from Sullivan County suggested the job description also should have mentioned “you must wear a flower in your hair, know how to picket, organize sit ins and refuse to support our national interest” while another wag from Manchester suggested experience removing feet from other people’s mouths might come in handy. For more on CSP, check out http://www.therealdemocratstory.com/carol.shea-porter/filecabinet.cfm

GOOD LUCK: To Mike McGrath, our state rep candidate in a special election in Manchester’s Ward 2 tomorrow, Tuesday. Last minute help is welcome; contact our Political Director, Allison Ryan, at Allison@nhgop or 225-9341.

IN THE NEWS: “The Democratic excesses in the Legislature absolutely are energizing Republicans who may have been passive in the last election,” said Fergus Cullen, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party. “I hate to see these things being passed for policy reasons. But politically, these are opportunities for us to rebound in 2008. Democrats are putting us back in the game.” http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/NEWS02/205060381/-1/news

“The Democrats were given the majority last year, but they were not voting to change New Hampshire from a Live Free or Die state to an East Vermont,” Cullen said. “Our leadership has always trusted adults to be adults, and we don’t need laws for everything.” http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_133093834?keyword=secondarystory
Despite Senate Democrats’ efforts to put the brakes on some House measures, GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen warned that “from a political perspective it’s too late; the damage is done.” These bills are reminiscent of the proposal to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, which passed the Senate, he said. “Democrats have treated adults like children.” The election, Cullen added, “was not a mandate to turn New Hampshire into Vermont.” http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070512/REPOSITORY/705120401/1037/NEWS04

HUMOR: “Did anybody see the debate? It was really weird. After the rebuttal, John Edwards demanded two minutes for conditioner.” – Dave Letterman

“The Queen was welcomed with a 21-gun salute. Well, 22 if you count Cheney’s gun, which went off accidentally” –Jay Leno

Fergus Cullen
Chairman, New Hampshire Republican Party
10 Water Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-225-9341
fergus@nhgop.org