Among the legal arguments was the assertion that taking the money from the Joint Underwriting Association was not simply to balance the two-year state budget but to preserve state programs that make health care more accessible.
Lawyers for Lakes Region Hospital, Derry Medical Center and Dr. Georgia Tuttle had characterized using the surplus as a “money grab.” “There is nothing superficial about what is at stake, and that it can be asserted the public policy interests involved are more than merely financial ones,” Frydman wrote.
Senate Republican Leader Peter Bragdon, of Milford, saw no point in GOP opponents of this JUA move preparing their legal arguments.
“There are plenty of capable parties making our assertion we first made early on that taking this money was in violation of the state Constitution,” Bragdon said.
Showing posts with label Sylvia Larsen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sylvia Larsen. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Top lawmakers join in backing taking
Kevin Landrigan reports in the Nashua Telegraph on the Amicus Brief filed last week by Democratic legislative leaders in the JUA Lawsuit.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Speaker, Senate President file briefs seeking to take JUA Funds
House Speaker Terie Norelli and Senate President Sylvia Larsen today filed an amicus brief with the New Hampshire Supreme Court siding with the state's appeal that it should be allowed to confiscate surplus premiums paid into the Joint Underwriting Association.
Their argument can be justly boiled down to this: "We're the government, and we can spend the money better than you." Of course, you can read the entire brief for yourself.
Speaker- Senate President- Amicus Brief- 10-2-09
Their argument can be justly boiled down to this: "We're the government, and we can spend the money better than you." Of course, you can read the entire brief for yourself.
Speaker- Senate President- Amicus Brief- 10-2-09
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Lynch and legislative leaders ignoring budget reality
The Union Leader's Tom Fahey reports in his Under the State House Dome column that Democratic leaders are confident that the state can reverse this week's sternly-worded decision blocking their efforts to take $110 million from the Joint Underwriting Association:
Lynch said he expects the court to reverse the ruling on appeal. Senate President Sylvia Larsen said the same thing. So did Speaker of the House Terie Norelli. They and other legislative leaders met with Lynch one day before the ruling came down. Not surprisingly, they sang off the same sheet of music on why McGuire was wrong.Taking the JUA's money, by breaking the clear language of the New Hampshire statute, was irresponsible. Ignoring the Court's decision and failing to plan for its consequences is delusional.
Each referred to the JUA's tax-exempt status, and each said the fund was never intended to provide "a windfall" to doctors.
No one is talking about how to fix a problem, because none of them acknowledge one exists. (more)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Can this budget pass the Senate?
In the Concord Monitor, Lauren Dorgan starts counting to 13 to see if the New Hampshire budget headed to the floor on Wednesday can win approvel in the State Senate:
One sign of trouble: Senate President Sylvia Larsen of Concord had to replace not just the committee's Republican, as is normal on conference committees (which must, for goofy ceremonial reasons be unanimous). She had to replace two Democrats, as well - three-fifths of the conference committee. Neither Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester, who has vowed to vote against this budget, nor Kathy Sgambati of Tilton signed the report.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
UL- "Bosse bounced: Senate silences critic"
The Union Leader editorial page stands up new media's coverage of state government:
On June 3rd, Senate President Sylvia Larsen revoked the press credentials of reporter Grant Bosse, who works for the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy in Concord. Bosse is a former radio news reporter whom the Bartlett Center hired to cover the Legislature this session. He's also a former Republican candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, and his reporting, as it is done for a free-market think tank, comes with an ideological point of view.
Just before debate on the state budget was to begin, Senate Communications Director Anne Saunders informed Bosse that he would have to leave the Senate floor. Sen. Larsen no longer recognized his press credentials.
Why? Well, Bosse says he was told that he works for a think tank, not a media organization. But the Bartlett Center is both. So what if the information Bosse gathers is reported in policy reports and columns vs. in a newspaper or over the airwaves?
Bosse's political leanings shouldn't matter either. Newspaper editorial writers and opinion columnists have press credentials. Bosse's work is no different from theirs.
We'd like to thank the traditional media for recognizing th importance of new media. You don't need a printing press or a transmitter for the First Amendment to apply.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
NH Senate President kicks reporter off Senate Floor
New Media Off Limits in Granite State
(CONCORD) Senate President Sylvia Larsen this morning revoked the press credentials of Josiah Bartlett Center Lead Investigator Grant Bosse, and barred Bosse from filming today's Senate session from the floor, just as the Chamber was preparing to take up the state's two-year $11.5 billion budget.
Bosse had set up a camera and tripod in a corner of the Senate floor reserved for that purpose, next to tripods owned by New England Cable News and WMUR, when he was told by Senate Communications Director Anne Saunders that he would not be allowed to film from the floor. Reporters from the Associated Press, Union Leader, Concord Monitor, and WNTK radio were allowed on the Senate floor. Saunders said that she had originally given Bosse his press privileges because of his work as a radio reporter, but that she was recently informed that Bosse was no longer part of "the media" and now worked for a "policy institute." Bosse was a radio anchor and reporter at WGIR-AM from 1994 to 1996, and a reporter and program director of WTSL-AM from 1996 to 1999.
Asked if the State Senate had a written policy about which reporters are given press privileges and which are not, Saunders said that she didn't know, but that floor privileges are at the discretion of the Senate President. Saunders says that the Senate does not give out press passes. The House of Representatives asks reporters to sign in before each session and receive a "MEDIA" sticker.
Saunders offered Bosse a reserved seat in the Senate Gallery, which had already filled with members of the public awaiting Senate action on both gay marriage and the budget. Saunders said that while Bosse could film Senate proceedings from the Gallery, he would not be allowed to use a tripod for his camera.
Bosse has filmed from the House floor several times this year, and has been covering the state budget process throughout the year. This would have been his first time filming the State Senate from the floor. Bosse is currently attempting to access public travel records from both the House and Senate, and yesterday published an article detailing how an amendment adopted by the Senate Finance Committee could force hundreds of New Hampshire charter school students out of their schools.
Bosse is editor of the Josiah Bartlett Center's NH Watchdog website, which carries his video news reports. He has also been a substitute radio host on WGIR, WNTK, WTPL, and WEMJ.
(CONCORD) Senate President Sylvia Larsen this morning revoked the press credentials of Josiah Bartlett Center Lead Investigator Grant Bosse, and barred Bosse from filming today's Senate session from the floor, just as the Chamber was preparing to take up the state's two-year $11.5 billion budget.
Bosse had set up a camera and tripod in a corner of the Senate floor reserved for that purpose, next to tripods owned by New England Cable News and WMUR, when he was told by Senate Communications Director Anne Saunders that he would not be allowed to film from the floor. Reporters from the Associated Press, Union Leader, Concord Monitor, and WNTK radio were allowed on the Senate floor. Saunders said that she had originally given Bosse his press privileges because of his work as a radio reporter, but that she was recently informed that Bosse was no longer part of "the media" and now worked for a "policy institute." Bosse was a radio anchor and reporter at WGIR-AM from 1994 to 1996, and a reporter and program director of WTSL-AM from 1996 to 1999.
Asked if the State Senate had a written policy about which reporters are given press privileges and which are not, Saunders said that she didn't know, but that floor privileges are at the discretion of the Senate President. Saunders says that the Senate does not give out press passes. The House of Representatives asks reporters to sign in before each session and receive a "MEDIA" sticker.
Saunders offered Bosse a reserved seat in the Senate Gallery, which had already filled with members of the public awaiting Senate action on both gay marriage and the budget. Saunders said that while Bosse could film Senate proceedings from the Gallery, he would not be allowed to use a tripod for his camera.
Bosse has filmed from the House floor several times this year, and has been covering the state budget process throughout the year. This would have been his first time filming the State Senate from the floor. Bosse is currently attempting to access public travel records from both the House and Senate, and yesterday published an article detailing how an amendment adopted by the Senate Finance Committee could force hundreds of New Hampshire charter school students out of their schools.
Bosse is editor of the Josiah Bartlett Center's NH Watchdog website, which carries his video news reports. He has also been a substitute radio host on WGIR, WNTK, WTPL, and WEMJ.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Lynch Calls for Spending Restraint, Green Jobs, and Federal Stimulus
By Grant Bosse
January 8, 2009
(CONCORD) In a speech filled with applause lines, but short of specifics, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch delivered his Third Inaugural Address in the New Hampshire House Chamber this afternoon. The Hopkinton Democrat warned the Legislature of a “budget challenge of unprecedented dimensions”, but did not set out his preferred solutions, either in terms of new revenues or spending cuts.
Republican lawmakers warned Lynch and Democratic budget writers two years ago that the revenue projections used to justify spending increases were unrealistic. But Lynch repeatedly pointed to the national economic climate as the reason for New Hampshire’s budget woes, rather than the 17.5% increase in state General Fund spending over the past two years.
“The national recession is having a dramatic impact on our state budget,” Lynch stated. “New Hampshire and states across the nation have seen significant shortfalls in revenue as this recession has deepened.”
Lynch called on Congress to quickly send aid to struggling states in the form of a stimulus package, drawing the first standing ovation of the afternoon from Democratic lawmakers.
“We need national solutions to this crisis. I urge the new Congress and President-elect Obama to act quickly to pass a stimulus package that will create jobs for our workers now,” Lynch said.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Lou D’Allesandro is also counting on Washington to help close New Hampshire’s budget gap.
“Clearly, the federal stimulus is an important ingredient in the package, and it’s incumbent on the Congress of the United States to work with the incoming President to get that done sooner rather than later.”
Former Republican Governor John Sununu will likely be the next Chairman of the Republican State Committee. He wanted Lynch to take more responsibility for the problems facing New Hampshire, rather than turning to Washington.
“I’m just surprised and disappointed that our principle strategy for dealing with the deficit is to wait for the federal bailout. I was hoping that we’d hear some specifics on reductions and so on, but there weren’t any,” Sununu said.
While not mentioning the size of the current budget gap, nor the structural deficit expected in next year’s budget, Lynch argued “this next budget cannot be balanced by tweaks and minor adjustments.” He promised to “examine every area of spending, look at every program, and say ‘no’ more often that we would like.”
Lynch also echoed his opposition to either a state sales or income tax, drawing his most enthusiastic response from Republican lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon led the only GOP-backed standing-O of the speech.
“We like the idea of no sales or income tax. We like the Governor’s idea of having to say no. We wish that we had said no to things in the last two years,” Bragdon said. “I’m disappointed though to hear that there’s no exclusion of other new taxes, and no exclusion of raiding the Rainy Day Fund to pay off the overspending of the last two years.”
While Lynch’s call for fiscal restraint meant with muted applause from the Democratically-controlled Legislature, it was his new spending initiatives that received the warmest response. Lynch unveiled a “Green Jobs Initiative” to be paid for from the proceeds of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The program would increase energy efficiency in state buildings, increases worker training programs, and create a low-interest revolving loan fund to assist New Hampshire businesses with energy efficiency or alternative energy projects.
“The Green Jobs Initiative will help create jobs for our people now, and make New Hampshire’s economy stronger for the future,” Lynch said to a chorus of applause. “Let’s help New Hampshire workers and businesses keep their competitive edge, and let’s keep good paying jobs right here in New Hampshire.”
Lynch did not say how much the Initiative would cost, though New Hampshire could receive $25 to $35 million a year based on the current cost of carbon dioxide allowances. Senate President Sylvia Larsen admitted that she hasn’t yet seen the details of the Green Jobs Initiative, but welcomes the approach.
“I think that was one of the highlights of his speech, and one which has potential both for people who might be out of work, but also for young people who are graduating who might see an opening for a career ahead of them,” Larsen commented.
House Minority Leader Sherman Packard also expressed interest in the program, providing that its cost doesn’t land on New Hampshire ratepayers.
“Anyway that we can get away from importing oil, and sending money overseas, to South America and Russia, is a great idea,” Packard argued. “But I’d have to see how he plans on paying for this, whether it’s on private people who would do this, or whether he plans on putting state money into this.”
The final third of Lynch’s address concentrated on education, congratulating New Hampshire for mandating public kindergarten in every community, and for defining an adequate education. Lynch also renewed his support for a Constitutional Amendment that would allow targeted aid to needy communities, but stopped short of lobbying the Legislature to put such an amendment on the ballot.
“I also recognize that there has not been a consensus in the Legislature on a Constitutional Amendment that would allow for that approach. I believe the discussion should continue, but we also need to meet our education responsibilities and build on the progress we have made,” Lynch added.
Lynch’s comments on education were just one area where Deputy Minority Whip Andrew Renzullo says the Governor has failed to govern.
“He was congratulating himself on the definition of an adequate education. Unfortunately, that’s a $100 million hole in the budget. What does he plan to do about it? Does he plan to come and say that we need a more reasonable definition of an adequate education?” Renzullo asked.
Republican leaders argued that Lynch’s address was another in a long line of speeches calling for bipartisan cooperation and problem solving, but lacking any clear direction. Packard says it’s time for the three-term Governor to step up.
“We still need to hear the details on how he’s going to solve the problem. This is the party in power. He’s the Governor. And we’re certainly willing to work with him, but it’s incumbent on him to bring forward his ideas on how we’re going to solve these problems,” Packard said.
Republican Representative David Hess didn’t think the speech lived up the moment.
“In these difficult times, unprecedented in the last 70 or 80 years, it’s disappointing that the Governor didn’t have any specifics about what the state can and should do to alleviate the economic conditions, to keep the unemployment rate as low as possible,” Hess argued. “These are extraordinary times, and they call for an extraordinary Inaugural Address.”
But Democratic leaders defended the speech, arguing that while it may not have contained specifics, it did set out Lynch’s priorities.
“The roadmap he presented was one which we will work to preserve the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, and to recognize the importance of maintaining public safety,” Larsen said. “In a time when we’re cutting other programs, those are critical needs that we’re going to work to protect as we look to cut back in state government.”
Larsen said Lynch struck a balanced tone between the somber economic times, and the ability of New Hampshire to rebound.
“Through green job growth, as well as job retraining, we can hopefully grow a new economy that is perhaps not exactly the same as in the past, but one which is forward thinking and moves towards new forms of energy, alternative energy, and jobs that relate to energy savings,” Larsen said. “I thought it was an upbeat message considering the economy we’re facing.”
D’Allesandro said he could easily summarize the Governor’s message.
“What he said was ‘Listen, we’ve got a problem, but we’ve got a great country. We’ve got a great state. And if we work together, we can keep these things going and we can bring success to the down economic situation,’” D’Allesandro concluded.
January 8, 2009
(CONCORD) In a speech filled with applause lines, but short of specifics, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch delivered his Third Inaugural Address in the New Hampshire House Chamber this afternoon. The Hopkinton Democrat warned the Legislature of a “budget challenge of unprecedented dimensions”, but did not set out his preferred solutions, either in terms of new revenues or spending cuts.
Republican lawmakers warned Lynch and Democratic budget writers two years ago that the revenue projections used to justify spending increases were unrealistic. But Lynch repeatedly pointed to the national economic climate as the reason for New Hampshire’s budget woes, rather than the 17.5% increase in state General Fund spending over the past two years.
“The national recession is having a dramatic impact on our state budget,” Lynch stated. “New Hampshire and states across the nation have seen significant shortfalls in revenue as this recession has deepened.”
Lynch called on Congress to quickly send aid to struggling states in the form of a stimulus package, drawing the first standing ovation of the afternoon from Democratic lawmakers.
“We need national solutions to this crisis. I urge the new Congress and President-elect Obama to act quickly to pass a stimulus package that will create jobs for our workers now,” Lynch said.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Lou D’Allesandro is also counting on Washington to help close New Hampshire’s budget gap.
“Clearly, the federal stimulus is an important ingredient in the package, and it’s incumbent on the Congress of the United States to work with the incoming President to get that done sooner rather than later.”
Former Republican Governor John Sununu will likely be the next Chairman of the Republican State Committee. He wanted Lynch to take more responsibility for the problems facing New Hampshire, rather than turning to Washington.
“I’m just surprised and disappointed that our principle strategy for dealing with the deficit is to wait for the federal bailout. I was hoping that we’d hear some specifics on reductions and so on, but there weren’t any,” Sununu said.
While not mentioning the size of the current budget gap, nor the structural deficit expected in next year’s budget, Lynch argued “this next budget cannot be balanced by tweaks and minor adjustments.” He promised to “examine every area of spending, look at every program, and say ‘no’ more often that we would like.”
Lynch also echoed his opposition to either a state sales or income tax, drawing his most enthusiastic response from Republican lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon led the only GOP-backed standing-O of the speech.
“We like the idea of no sales or income tax. We like the Governor’s idea of having to say no. We wish that we had said no to things in the last two years,” Bragdon said. “I’m disappointed though to hear that there’s no exclusion of other new taxes, and no exclusion of raiding the Rainy Day Fund to pay off the overspending of the last two years.”
While Lynch’s call for fiscal restraint meant with muted applause from the Democratically-controlled Legislature, it was his new spending initiatives that received the warmest response. Lynch unveiled a “Green Jobs Initiative” to be paid for from the proceeds of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The program would increase energy efficiency in state buildings, increases worker training programs, and create a low-interest revolving loan fund to assist New Hampshire businesses with energy efficiency or alternative energy projects.
“The Green Jobs Initiative will help create jobs for our people now, and make New Hampshire’s economy stronger for the future,” Lynch said to a chorus of applause. “Let’s help New Hampshire workers and businesses keep their competitive edge, and let’s keep good paying jobs right here in New Hampshire.”
Lynch did not say how much the Initiative would cost, though New Hampshire could receive $25 to $35 million a year based on the current cost of carbon dioxide allowances. Senate President Sylvia Larsen admitted that she hasn’t yet seen the details of the Green Jobs Initiative, but welcomes the approach.
“I think that was one of the highlights of his speech, and one which has potential both for people who might be out of work, but also for young people who are graduating who might see an opening for a career ahead of them,” Larsen commented.
House Minority Leader Sherman Packard also expressed interest in the program, providing that its cost doesn’t land on New Hampshire ratepayers.
“Anyway that we can get away from importing oil, and sending money overseas, to South America and Russia, is a great idea,” Packard argued. “But I’d have to see how he plans on paying for this, whether it’s on private people who would do this, or whether he plans on putting state money into this.”
The final third of Lynch’s address concentrated on education, congratulating New Hampshire for mandating public kindergarten in every community, and for defining an adequate education. Lynch also renewed his support for a Constitutional Amendment that would allow targeted aid to needy communities, but stopped short of lobbying the Legislature to put such an amendment on the ballot.
“I also recognize that there has not been a consensus in the Legislature on a Constitutional Amendment that would allow for that approach. I believe the discussion should continue, but we also need to meet our education responsibilities and build on the progress we have made,” Lynch added.
Lynch’s comments on education were just one area where Deputy Minority Whip Andrew Renzullo says the Governor has failed to govern.
“He was congratulating himself on the definition of an adequate education. Unfortunately, that’s a $100 million hole in the budget. What does he plan to do about it? Does he plan to come and say that we need a more reasonable definition of an adequate education?” Renzullo asked.
Republican leaders argued that Lynch’s address was another in a long line of speeches calling for bipartisan cooperation and problem solving, but lacking any clear direction. Packard says it’s time for the three-term Governor to step up.
“We still need to hear the details on how he’s going to solve the problem. This is the party in power. He’s the Governor. And we’re certainly willing to work with him, but it’s incumbent on him to bring forward his ideas on how we’re going to solve these problems,” Packard said.
Republican Representative David Hess didn’t think the speech lived up the moment.
“In these difficult times, unprecedented in the last 70 or 80 years, it’s disappointing that the Governor didn’t have any specifics about what the state can and should do to alleviate the economic conditions, to keep the unemployment rate as low as possible,” Hess argued. “These are extraordinary times, and they call for an extraordinary Inaugural Address.”
But Democratic leaders defended the speech, arguing that while it may not have contained specifics, it did set out Lynch’s priorities.
“The roadmap he presented was one which we will work to preserve the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, and to recognize the importance of maintaining public safety,” Larsen said. “In a time when we’re cutting other programs, those are critical needs that we’re going to work to protect as we look to cut back in state government.”
Larsen said Lynch struck a balanced tone between the somber economic times, and the ability of New Hampshire to rebound.
“Through green job growth, as well as job retraining, we can hopefully grow a new economy that is perhaps not exactly the same as in the past, but one which is forward thinking and moves towards new forms of energy, alternative energy, and jobs that relate to energy savings,” Larsen said. “I thought it was an upbeat message considering the economy we’re facing.”
D’Allesandro said he could easily summarize the Governor’s message.
“What he said was ‘Listen, we’ve got a problem, but we’ve got a great country. We’ve got a great state. And if we work together, we can keep these things going and we can bring success to the down economic situation,’” D’Allesandro concluded.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Proposal to Roll Back Pay Raises Hits Brick Wall
Lauren Dorgan reports in the Concord Monitor that Governor John Lynch's proposal to roll back pay raises is hitting a brick wall, for union and nonunion state employees alike:
Tom Fahey also reports in the Union Leader on the House and Senate leaders shooting down Lynch's suggestion:All state employees are set to receive a 5.5 percent pay raise Jan. 1. But with the state budget in crisis - 2009 revenue is now expected to fall $250 million behind original projections - Lynch has targeted pay raises as one way to save money.
"We have taken a number of steps, including millions in cuts to state programs and services to help balance our budget, and additional work is needed," Lynch said in a statement yesterday. "Under the circumstances, I believe it is reasonable and responsible to defer the January 5.5 percent pay increase for state employees."
Lynch, a Democrat, has pushed the Legislature to meet next week to defer pay increases for nonunion employees who work for the state, including lawyers, managers, and those who work for the judicial and legislative branches. Meanwhile, Lynch has been in talks with leaders of the State Employees Association, whose pay raises are guaranteed by contract. For union members to lose their raises, they would have to first vote to reopen contract talks and then vote to ratify a pay freeze.
So far, neither of the governor's efforts has proven fruitful.
Lawmakers have decided not to act on Gov. John Lynch's proposal to save up to $2 million by deferring pay raises for state workers not represented by unions.To kill the raises, the Legislature has to act before the end of the year. Last week House and Senate leaders reserved next Wednesday as a day when legislators could return for the money-saving move.
But yesterday, Speaker of the House Terie Norelli and Senate President Sylvia Larsen said they will not call lawmakers to Concord next week to pass a bill rescinding the raise. Dec. 17 had been set as a potential date for action, but the two said the issue was not ready to bring before 424 lawmakers.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
State Senate Leadership
Brian Lawson at PolitickerNH.com reports on the State Senate leadership elections:
The state senate elected state Sen. Sylvia Larsen (D-Concord) for another term as senate president...State Sen. Peter Bragdon (R-Milford) was also elected to be the Senate Republican leader. A week after the election the state senate Republican caucus nominated Bragdon to lead the caucus. Bragdon's nomination was a surprise as many observers expected state Sen. Ted Gatsas (R-Manchester) to continue serving in that role.
The senate also voted today to reappoint Tammy Wright as Senate Clerk, Robert Buchholz as Assistant Senate Clerk and Carleton "Kit" Marshall as Sergeant-at-Arms.
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