SEA leaders urge defeat of state contract

Leaders of the State Employees Association are urging their members to reject the contract negotiated with state officials last week. James Pindell has reaction at NH Political Report.

"After serving in Iraq, in the fight against terrorism, I didn't appreciate coming back and being terrorized by the Governor and the Legislature," said Chapter 22 President Bruce Vanlandingham.

In the Union Leader, Mark Hayward reports that the bargaining unit is more concerned with the furloughs for 10,000 state workers than with the 750 possible layoffs if no deal is reached.

"It's not a good contract. It's not a good deal for the employees," Barwell said, minutes after 162 members of the bargaining senate voted last night. He said the voice vote was overwhelming, but not unanimous.

Barwell said the contract will be mailed on Thursday to members, and they can begin discussing it.

Diana Lacey, the head of the bargaining team, said the cuts do not provide enough job security for state workers and affect all public services provided by the state.

In the Concord Monitor, Shira Schoenberg gets reaction to the recommendation from the Governor's Office.

Colin Manning, spokesman for Lynch, said he still hoped union members would ratify the agreement.

"We continue to believe that it's important that state employees be allowed to vote on a contract that could save hundreds of jobs," Manning said.

"It is our hope that they approve this contract and that we can implement a well-structured furlough program and avoid laying off hundreds of state employees."

If the full union membership rejects the agreement, both sides could return to the bargaining table, or Governor Lynch could begin making layoffs to reach the $25 million in savings mandated by the state budget.

Gregg: Union rule threatens job center

In the Union Leader, Mark Hayward reports on Judd Gregg's complaint that federal rules are standing in the way of New Hampshire construction projects.

The situation is further complicated by a requirement that limits bidding to small firms, which would be less likely to have PLA experience.

Under such conditions, not a single firm in New Hampshire is eligible for the project, Gregg said.

"The Administration's decision to discriminate against successful and independent construction firms simply because New Hampshire employees choose to work in a union-free workplace and not bow to the demands of big labor is extremely unfair to our state," Gregg said.

Border Tax War heats up

Mark Hayward reports in the Union Leader about a new law Governor John Lynch will sign today, putting up roadblocks on Massachusetts tax collectors going after shoppers in New Hampshire:

But a Massachusetts lawyer involved in the Town Fair Tire case questions how the law will be enforced, and whether Massachusetts officials will comply with it.

"It'll be interesting to see how this plays out in actual practice," said David Nagle, an attorney with the Boston firm of Sullivan & Worcester. He questioned what will happen when a multi-state retailer tries to follow the Granite State law while a Massachusetts auditor is handing him a summons that demands customer addresses.

"I'm certain that New Hampshire did not intend to put retailers in a bind between a rock and a hard place," he said. "The question, I think, is what leverage does this (new law) give a retailer who receives a summons from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?" (more)