| Hudson~Litchfield | Pelham~Windham | Salem |
Senator Mike Downing
Mike Downing, District 22 state senator, today criticized Governor John Lynch’s proposal to raise taxes even further on the people of New Hampshire to balance the state budget.
“I voted against the budget last year because it was fiscally irresponsible. The budget that was passed spends too much money and was manufactured with unrealistic revenue expectations. As a result, the state is facing a $225 million deficit, and rather than scale back spending, the governor wants to raise taxes to fill the budget gap,” said Downing.
Senator Downing was the only member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee to vote against the inflated revenue estimates and now, based on that overinflation, the governor is seeking to raise other taxes to resolve the budget deficit.
“Higher taxes will send an already struggling economy spiraling even further. It is unacceptable to raise taxes further on struggling families across New Hampshire. State government needs an overhaul with reforms to reduce spending, create more efficiency in government, and reward state government agencies and employees to save more money in their departments,” continued Downing.
Last week, the governor proposed increasing cigarette taxes for the third time since being elected, and instituting a new tax and higher betting limits on lottery tickets. The governor estimated that the budget shortfall could reach $225 million.
Downing stated, “Now is the time to reach out to business and community leaders, experts in government efficiency, and research other state initiatives to save money in state government. What happened to the governor’s ‘efforts’ to bring efficiency in government”? Where are the real reform proposals from the governor’s office?” (Governor Lynch 7/06 press release: Governor Kicks Off Major Effort to Modernize State Government, Improve Efficiency)
“When families across New Hampshire are tightening their belts, it is incumbent on our state leaders to do the same. I hope the Legislature says ‘No More Tax Increases’ to the governor,” concluded Downing.
Michael Downing, of Salem, is a first term state senator from District 22 representing the towns of Salem, Atkinson, Plaistow and Pelham.
Bob Clegg
It has been a busy season at the Statehouse as we look to address those issues that affect citizens in their everyday lives. We have made progress in addressing high fuel costs, healthcare coverage for preventative treatment and parental rights when it comes to children’s education. Individual freedom and responsibility is the foundation of our government and the belief system of our state. I feel that our recent activity fits that theme.
Gas prices hit $3.50/gallon this week, the Statehouse has made positive steps toward the use of alternative fuel. On April 17, the Senate passed HB1631, which requires the State of New Hampshire to purchase biodiesel fuel blends for the Department of Transportation. Biodiesel is a vegetable oil-based fuel that runs in cars, trucks, construction equipment, and generators among other things. It can be made using soy, canola oil, or even recycled fryer oil. Imagine your car running on recycled oil from McDonald’s! Studies have shown in recent years that biodiesel fuel is safer for the environment and a viable alternative to help alleviate high costs in the oil market. It is time we stopped relying on foreign oil to fuel our homes and our cars. This legislation is a positive step in that direction.
In the Senate this year, I introduced SB312, which requires insurance coverage for obesity-related diseases when determined to be medically necessary by a physician. This would include treatments such as bariatric surgery. This treatment is a vital tool in the prevention of diseases and ailments caused by morbid obesity. Obesity has long been known to cause life threatening problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that obesity has an annual cost of $117 billion and was associated with a 37 percent increase in per capita annual medical expenses. On February 21, 2006, Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services recognized obesity as a disease and allowed national coverage for gastric bypass. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. We must stop turning a blind eye and address the issue before our healthcare costs spiral even further out of control. SB312 passed the Senate by a vote of 21 - 3, but I am sorry to say that the House sent it to the Department of Insurance for a study of cost. Unfortunately now the bill will languish for a year, yet the costs of our inaction will remain a serious drain on the health care system.
Another bill I would like to bring to your attention is SB483, which I sponsored and is awaiting action in the House this week. SB483 would develop a committee to study in-home counseling services for families and children charged with a crime or designated in need of services by the juvenile court. I was a strong advocate for this bill as it passed through the Senate and I urge your support of it as it makes its way through the House. It is a long tradition in New Hampshire to give its inhabitants the ability to raise their children and teach them in their homes if deemed appropriate. I share this belief in individual freedom and hope you will join me in support of this bill.
Lynne Ober
As the state moves closer to defining funding for adequate education, a companion bill is also moving along the trail. That bill, SB530, will mandate a kindergarten start date and provide some funding for classrooms.
Section 28-A of the New Hampshire Constitution states, “[Mandated Programs.] The state shall not mandate or assign any new, expanded or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision in such a way as to necessitate additional local expenditures by the political subdivision unless such programs or responsibilities are fully funded by the state or unless such programs or responsibilities are approved for funding by a vote of the local legislative body of the political subdivision. November 28, 1984.” This addition to the constitution was passed by the people and clearly states that if the state mandates or expands or modifies a program, that it must fully fund that program.
Currently there are 12 school districts in New Hampshire without public kindergarten. In all of those districts there are a variety of private kindergartens offering programming and in each of those districts one of the biggest obstacles to adding public kindergarten is the need to build additional classroom space.
Not only is construction an expensive proposition, but the funding for construction is done through a bond and a bond warrant article must pass with a super majority of 60 percent of all the votes at the election. Litchfield’s new school, which provided kindergarten classroom space, was recently voted down for the fourth time. Hudson, Pelham and Windham did not have kindergarten on the March ballot.
The current funding bill only provides for 75 percent of construction aid, thus mandating that a town pass a bond warrant article to proceed. The two other provisions in the bill are to: 1. Pay for three years of portable trailer classrooms or, 2. To pay for a 100 percent code compliant building. At a recent hearing New Hampshire Department of Education building expert, Ed Murdough, said that a 100 percent code compliant building could be expected to last for five years and consisted of a plywood building built on a concrete slab. These two options are a long way away from the requirements of the New Hampshire Constitution.
There are also, unnamed, but expected to be very steep penalties for not complying with the state mandate. Some suggest that all educational aid will be withheld from a school district that fails to comply.
In order to bring some order to this process, I joined as a co-sponsor of this bill and with the bill’s expected passage at this week’s House session, the bill will be sent to the Finance Committee, my committee for further review of the needed financial situation.
When it comes to the Finance Committee, I plan to offer three amendments. These amendments are designed to offer alternatives to the Finance Committee that can be used to craft a legally, constitutional bill for this program.
The first amendment will offer 100 percent financing for permanent classrooms, needed books, furniture for the classrooms and 100 percent financing for three years for kindergarten teacher salaries.
The second amendment will remove the kindergarten mandate and provide 75 percent construction aid from now until all 12 school districts have chosen to begin kindergarten. This will put the decision squarely back in the voters’ hands and will preserve local control while still providing construction aid when a community is ready to build kindergarten classrooms.
The third option, perhaps the most controversial, will offer half-day vouchers to parents in districts without kindergarten. Since adequate education is only mandating half-day kindergarten, this half-day voucher will be in keeping with the adequate education bill. Parents will be able to choose any private kindergarten that has certified kindergarten teachers. When, and if, a community decides to offer public kindergarten, the voucher program will end in that community.
While none of these is a perfect solution, taken together the three options allow the Finance Committee to craft a constitutionally appropriate solution to this nagging kindergarten problem.
Lynne Ober encourages everyone to contact her and share their opinions. She can be reached by e-mail at skibear@cheerful.com or at 883-9654.
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