The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

NH Supreme Court Drops Marshall Your Resources Claremont Suit – Or Did It? by Richard Lessner Former NH UL Editorial Page Writer “It is readily apparent that despite its near decade long assurances that our public In an era of big and growing education system would contain the government aided and abetted by both requisite controls to ensure the delivery of major political parties, citizens an adequate education, the state has not met organizations such as the Coalition of its acknowledged obligation. This court, for New Hampshire Taxpayers are more the past 15 years, has repeatedly, important than ever. Such watchdog respectfully and appropriately deferred to groups are the taxpayer’s best friends. the political branches to resolve the critical As Ronald Reagan was fond of saying, issues the numerous school funding “Politicians see the light when they feel decisions have identified. Deference A Taxpayer Activist Writes… the heat.” CNHT supplies that heat, however has its limits. Constitutional rights standing up for the average, hardworking taxpayer while the acolytes of Big must be enforced or they cease to be rights. Well it is almost time for budget committee The orders of this court going back more Government strive to turn us all into serfs season to start again; this will be my third of the Leviathan State. than a decade cannot be trumped by year (and yes, I am contemplating running extended and repeated non-compliance.” for reelection). Economic data is showing good trends – and others are also in the tank. -- Chief Justice John Broderick’s Dissent financial participation in local education So what to do, what to do? costs. These trends will require the The Claremont Case which started out in Governor and the Legislature to make 1991 as an EQUITY case and morphed into Many families are angst-ridden over “what changes in the state budget totaling an ADEQUACY case in 1997 is not dead by to do?” as re-examining their family between $372 and $495 million dollars over a long shot. The whole attempt to litigate incomes and expenses around the kitchen the next three years, beyond current state taxes for schools started in the late 1960s, table (especially the expenses). What would law.” they do if the Economic Grim Reaper hit pay dirt in 1989 in Texas, Kentucky, and Montana decisions. materialized at their door ready to ding their And how about the Josiah Barlett Center… Some 45 states have suffered education doorbell? What about the families who stare litigation lawsuits, draining resources from in horror as the fiend has already knocked “There is a growing hole in the New the taxpayers to both ends and accom- the door down and is astride the threshold Hampshire State budget. The revenue plishing little except pouring more money (or invited him in as a result of prior shortfall alone would require tax increases into schools taxpayers stopped funding. decisions?) that would cause undue economic damage. Did you ever wonder why no education Couple with a planned but undefined In all cases, all expenses are being re- funding lawsuit uses another state as an increase in education spending, the example of how an education funding examined, including that one that is one of amount will be too large to close with small the biggest (and normally considered to be scheme has worked? All you see is more changes to our current tax structure. By litigation based on the different plaintiffs. “non-discretionary”) of each family – one calculation the hole will approach NH has dodged the bullet many other states property taxes. $200 million. But when the planned off- have not. In California, property taxes paid budget spending increases are added in, the for most schools until that age old method Fortunately, where I live YOU CAN make a shortfall will be between $800 million and was scrapped for state funding. Now difference – your voice can be heard. Call $1 BILLION.” California has spent billions on its schools, the Selectmen, the School Board, the Budget is billions in the red because they depend on Committee and your fellow residents. You will hear a lot from tax and spend income taxes which are cyclical, and the Attend the meetings, write the Letters to the legislators and the liberal media about how Editors, talk the issues around the water schools have to compete with other state the slow ECONOMY has brought this departments for borrowed funds. cooler or coffeepot. massive deficit but that is not the case. An

increase of spending over the last budget by Watch local California taxes go up to Just don’t sit there and moan! Make your 17.5% is the cause. compensate for lost state revenue. voice heard – do something! ______Did you know that New Hampshire, for the In This Issue The New Hampshire Legislature first time in history, is BORROWING to pay About CNHT...... 2 and Governor’s Irresponsible for general road maintenance? Job Training Scams ...... 3 Spending Has Caught Up With Towns in Brief ...... 4 Them We are also BORROWING to pay for the County Government Explained...... 4 state portion of school construction bonds. Taxpayers Worst Enemy...... 5 Janeway’s Income Tax ...... 5 This I much like using the VISA card to pay Take a look at some quotes from two NH for the Master Card at the state level. Rochester on the March ...... 6 think tank studies describing by the use of Getting Ready for Town Meeting...... 6 And when the spending is greater than the Police File...... 7 past spending and revenue figures, where natural increase in state revenue growth to Water Meter Woes...... 7 our next budget is headed. First from the pay these bills the predictable cry for an Is NH Government for Sale?...... 7 NH Center for Public Policy Studies… Windsor Tax Fighters...... 8 INCOME TAX will be heard throughout the Statehouse. Cigarette Tax Raised Again ...... 8 “The Center’s analysis is unique in New Job Training Under WIA...... 9 New Hampshire Values...... 9 Hampshire, because we examine not only Call your elected officials and ask if they Gambling in NH...... 9 the potential shortfall in state revenues, voted for the state budget with all the Property Rights...... 10 which could be as much as $286 million in Educational Rights...... 10 spending and borrowing. in the next biennium, but also that the Stop the Lynch Deficit ...... 11 State’s growth in demand for state services Homeschooling Alert ...... 12 Check CNHT’s website to see who took the and potential increases in the state’s Voter ID Laws Needed ...... 13 pledge at www.cnht.org/pledgers.php

A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 1

The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

About CNHT The Editorial Board

The Coalition of NH Taxpayers is the The Editorial Board is comprised of The largest taxpayer group in the state. Board of Directors of the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers. We will correct any We focus on local government and involve ourselves in legislation that affects errors or omissions in our next publication. schools, cities, and towns. In NH this is where most of your taxes are paid and they The Taxing Times has been printed by are the taxes you have the most control over. CNHT since 1999. We sell a limited number of ads. You can contact us by going through Imagine if, as our new legislature had done, the website at www.cnht.org voters in a school or town increased spending by 17.5% in one year and If you know of a location where you can borrowed to pay operating costs! This rarely distribute paper copies of The Taxing Times JOIN CNHT NOW! happens because voters have a direct say in such as a barbershop, store, office, We Meet Each Second Saturday the process. restaurant, coffee shop, supermarket, gas at our Concord Offices at 9AM station, or any other high traffic area, we can Guests Welcome! We try to connect the handful of taxpayers contact you when the next edition is ready who attend meetings and try to hold the line for distribution. You may even want to post

an editorial or have an idea for a story. on spending and borrowing in one town with _ _ _

the like-minded taxpayers from other towns _ _ _ _ _ to form a coalition of more informed voters. CNHT will deliver bulk shipments of The _ _ _ Taxing Times to taxpayer groups who can _ _ _ _

_ _ It is also our goal to be the place new groups then place their own issue advocate flyers or _ _ _ other material inside. Please contact us if _ _ _ can get information and support to form and _ [ ] _ _ to hold the torch in a municipality as one you have an organization that wishes to take _ _ _ _

advantage of this offer. _ _ group fades and another begins. Many _ _ _ taxpayer groups end when the issues that ______sparked their creation are over. This often is Other NH Organizations _ _ _ the case in municipal re-assessments. But ______just because the issue quiets down doesn’t Cornerstone Policy Research _ _ _ mean taxpayers should forget that the _ _ _ _ www.nhcornerstone.org _ _ assessment of your home is what generates _ _ _ _ treet Concord NH 03301

your property tax bill – that and spending. _ _ _

NH Advantage _ _ _ _ _ www.thenhadvantage.com _ _ _

With taxpayers from different towns, cities, _ _ _ and schools sharing infor-mation we are all ______stronger and more effective. NH Liberty Alliance _ _ _ www.nhliberty.org ______

CNHT HAS A RADIO PROGRAM _ _ _ _ _ ON AIR FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS NH Right to Work _ _ _ http://www.nrtwc.org/states/nh.htm _ _ _ _ Other Org $30 [ ] Business $50 _ _ _

_ _ _ HIP APPLICATION _ _ New Hampshire Pro-Gun NH _ _ _ http://www.pgnh.org/ ______Taxpayer Radio _ _ _ Reagan Network _ _ _ _

www.nhreagannetwork.com _ _ _ _ _ WLMW 90.7 FM Manchester _ _ _ _ Thursday Evenings Republican Liberty Caucus NH _ _ From 6-8:00 PM _ _ www.rlcnh.org ______

Second Amendment Sisters Email: _ CNHT MEMBERS _ _ Streaming Live or Podcast [ ] Family $30 _ _ http://www.2asisters.net/nh/index.html _ _ _ www.cnht.org _

_ _ _ _ _ NH Liberty Calendar ______http://www.nhlibertycalendar.org _

_ _ _ _ Mail Donation To: CNHT at 136 North Main S ______

______uld like to help save the New Hampshire Advantage of Lower Taxes and Less _

“The only thing necessary for Individual $20 evil to triumph is for good men

to do nothing”.

Yes I wo Government! Name: _ Address: _ Phone: _ -- Edmund Burke 1729-1797 ______

A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 2

The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

A Perennial Orgy of Greed Here in lies the problem: If a program on Although Health Information Management by Johnna Grzywacz “the list” is not chosen by an unemployed personnel do not provide direct care, coding individual their tax dollars in the form of an of diagnoses, procedures and services can The Reauthorized Workforce Investment ITA voucher is forfeited and they are not influence and affect subsequent treatment Act of 1998 (WIA) is one of many allowed to spend the voucher on their choice and or reimbursement decisions which affect legislative reforms since the inception of of industry preferred training. Since Medical patient care. nationwide job training and job search Coders do not require a license this leaves assistance programs more than six decade ample room for programs on “the list” to After complaining to the VP of WOC about ago. The goal: better respond to the truncate and even omit vital courses from the truncated coursework of one program, I workforce development needs of businesses, their offerings, still at the approval of was told “Well, that's just the way it is”. job seekers and provide the job skills Postsecondary Commission. The Licensing and Approval Administrator necessary to obtain such employment for Postsecondary Commission testified at opportunities. A Compliance Officer from a local HB1211 “I just don't have time to look into Healthcare System testified at HB1211 in these complaints”. I received her document America has long been served an alphabet January 2008 that physicians will not allow stating: “Postsecondary voted against soup of failed federal and state training hiring from these programs. Medical Coders HB1211, but we care”. Both Postsecondary programs masked by endless statistical shield physicians from OIG audits, prevent and WOC approved and licensed for more shams and lack of oversight. With each new the loss of millions in revenue due to than 3 yrs. the annual renewal application administration, a new veneer, wider improper coding and affect worldwide that allowed a Manchester training provider loopholes allowing fraud and abuse, morbidity and mortality statistics. The to operate a job training program in a conflicting rules and administrative ramifications to you as a patient are backyard shed in Rye. Absent of fire and structures remain the hallmarks of this enormous. HB1211 was sponsored to have building code, no windows, no elevator, no multi-billion dollar boondoggle. If you think coursework aligned with employer ramp leaving the disabled unwelcome to this NH is immune to this beehive of activity, requirements. The non-passage of this bill federal and state sponsored location where think again. has left consumers of training programs state employment counselors steered the further scammed. unemployed. One would wonder if this, too, On a local level job training programs are is an expression of “caring”. This location identified as “eligible training providers” In addition, these speedy programs offer NO continues to enroll despite a documented marketed by “One Stop Career Centers” to diploma, NO credits, NO advisory board, student complaint to WOC and seekers of training who are awarded $4K NO accreditation, NO continuing education Postsecondary regarding a webcam in the grants and must choose from a “list” of units and NO direct paid vendor affiliation bathroom. providers licensed and approved by both NH with AAPC or AHIMA; all factors Postsecondary Education Commission and impacting employers turning away Massachusetts fairs better at squeezing out Workforce Opportunity Council (WOC). applicants. And the calamity doesn't stop unscrupulous gigs and placing students in And some endorsed by NH Department of there. A deeper shade of fraud reveals a safe environments. For example, state over- Health and Human Services. program owner fabricating written success seers actually make site visits with little stories as lures indicating students landed notice to question instructors then corral The underbelly of this system operates in a jobs in local hospitals as Medical Coders students interviewing them individually, I pinky-ring mob-connected mentality. In an right after the training; a pathetic way to rip- am told. In contrast, one or more NH arena where profits and bribes take center off the unemployed who have no lobbyists. licensing agencies offer up different stage these proprietary programs don't The school remains licensed by solutions; the paper shuffle, a blind eye to operate in a vacuum. There's a “front Postsecondary. marketing abuses, and unqualified person” delivering a well scripted sales instructors within these programs according pitch, a trumped up dog and pony show, Ellen Wallpe, CPC, General Surgery to dozens of prior and current students who, some “shills” paid to endorse along with the Practice Manager in Dover stated during her scammed beyond belief, now turn to non- license and approval of the above state and testimony at HB1211 “I would not place a governmental advocacy groups to detail federal agencies. Often instructors willingly short term trained person in any part of the their complaints and list scam schools. participate in luring students. revenue cycle in my office, our physicians want those trained by PMCC instructors HB1331, a welfare reform bill passed in The Healthcare Industry is most harmed by from the Academy of Professional Coders 2006 requires recipients to enroll in job tinsel training. For example, for 4K you get (AAPC) or instructors approved by the training before returning back to their a short program containing a bloat of word American Health Information Management welfare status. At $4K a pop you can see and excel classes peppered with a few intro Association (AHIMA)”. why training providers cruise the local “One medical type courses leaving students ill Stop” center sizing up the school of fish. prepared to land employment for what the SB173 prevents vouchers from being used to When entitlements pay more than a job will program advertises: “Medical Billing and obtain training from these preferred following training it's the taxpayer who Coding Specialist” or “Office organizations; therefore, you cannot get on foots the bill for able bodied citizens to belly Administrator”. Hiring managers viewing the “A” list with your own tax dollars. up into their lazy-boys. And while the resumes which contain alphabet bargain bin unemployed displaced workers may require certification along with the terms “Coding In other professions, standardization has training to land the next job it is usually the Specialist” or “Administrator” laughingly occurred thru legislation, educational employer that trains new hires and receives reject applicants while mentally wiping changes, public demand and media either tax credits or payments thru the NH these programs from their short lists. attention. For example, uniformity exists in Job Training Fund, leaving many the nursing field focusing on responsibilities proprietary training gigs unnecessary and According to Naomi Preble of Rochester, that pose a risk to patients if performed by worthless. former student of BSTI Blended Solutions unqualified persons. stated, “I no longer list the name of this Buyers beware strategies firmly in place school on my resume as it is more a liability cannot be understated especially in this than a benefit in the job search”. down-trodden economy. Contact [email protected] for assessment tools.

A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 3

The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

Towns in Brief — What We Do year. If you are going to ‘lose’ a court case The Secret Election against a municipality, this is the way to do by Carol Holden Atkinson — The Coalition of New it. You have shown you have the skills to Hillsborough County Commissioner Hampshire Taxpayers has been working win in court the next time. with the Atkinson Taxpayers Association for New Hampshire County Government is a about a year. They had a bad re-assessment Amherst — Amherst had a Finance mystery in this state. Counties trace their which triggered a huge outcry from the Committee which looked over the town roots to the English shire of a thousand years taxpayers. Activists inside Atkinson took the budget. It worked until recently when the ago. County government problem into their own hands and combed members resigned. A new group is forming duties vary across the through the new assessments, card by card. in Amherst and if they can get an RSA 32 country. The Provincial They found patterns of over assessment and Municipal Budget Committee on the ballot Act of 1769 created New helped get tax refunds for those affected. and adopted by the voters, some fiscal sanity Hampshire Counties and This is a ton of work and not many groups may come back to Amherst. This upscale with the approval of the can pull it off. municipality is not lost to the tax and King of England began to spenders yet. With an organized effort by a operate on March 19, 1771. Now though there remains a problem with dedicated taxpayer group unnecessary the perennial thorn in the community’s side, spending could be stopped and everyone Each of the ten NH counties is a corporate and police chief, who has, we find, been who lives there could afford to stay. body administered by a board of three collecting donations from Atkinson citizens Commissioners. They propose the budget, who get rides in the police departments recommend bonds, recommend the purchase elderly ride program. CNHT is concerned and sale of real estate and negotiate union that the donations being accepted are going contracts. into a private non-profit formed by the chief, not to the town which pays for the vehicles. On November 4, voters will elect County This could have statewide repercussions if Commissioners and State Representatives. the chief gets away with it. The State Representatives wear two hats: to serve as legislators in Concord and to serve Windsor — Two years ago CNHT helped as members of the county convention in Windsor taxpayers win video taping access their counties. The “county convention” to the Town Meeting after being denied by later became known as the “county the town moderator. This year we spent delegation” countless hours helping some of the bravest activists we have ever met battle a board of Weare — It has been a long time for the The Hillsborough County Delegation selectmen and tax collector who did choose property owner that CNHT has been consists of the 123 State Representatives. not to collect taxes from a select group of helping. He can now take a breath and say The delegation functions are to appropriate people, or keep financial records required by he can actually move into the home he has funds for the budget, authorize bonds, the State. been remodeling since 2005. The Weare authorize the purchase and sale of real estate Code Enforcement Officer has made such and approve funding of union contracts. The Milton — In this town we had a railroad crazy rulings as, the place has been State Representatives thus, serve a dual role. company try to force property owners who abandoned because it not has not been lived in a peninsula that jutted out into a “lived in” for two consecutive years, and The Secret Election occurs when the county lake buy insurance to cross their railroad that it is not a pre-existing use under the delegation convenes in the second week of tracks. This railroad threads through several zoning ordinance even though the house has December, following the state election., NH towns. CNHT attended meetings in been there since the late 1800s. If this type They meet for the purpose of organizing and Milton and did research into who owned the of ruling were allowed to stand in Weare, all selecting the leadership. The county properties abutting and under the tracks, NH homes on the market or summer camps delegation chooses and executive committee what statutes applied, and alternatives to not used on a regular basis would be subject and elects its officers. this odd situation. The Milton Selectmen to senseless litigation. This one certainly has who were not at first willing to go to bat for been. CNHT has represented the owner In Hillsborough County, the 21 member the taxpayer on the peninsula have reversed before the Zoning Board twice. We have Executive Committee acts to approve anew their original decision and are now working won a unanimous reversals by the board and positions and to approve budget transfers with the taxpayers to resolve this issue. now are in Superior Court along with the between delegation meetings. The full Town defending that last decision from the delegation meets to vote on the county Bow — This was an interesting one and neighbor who brought the case and who now budget each year. complicated too. It revolves around the sits on the Weare ZBA! You can’t make this timing for submitting a petitioned warrant stuff up! Often voters are not aware of how this article for Senate Bill 2 voting. The Bow important process works., It is important to School is opposed to SB2 and claimed the Read more about what we do at: elect executive committee members who petition was not timely under their reading www.cnht.org/news will make sure that the necessary services of the state statutes and their time for the are provided to the county residents at a Annual School District Meeting. Our reasonable cost to the taxpayers. Join CNHT and scores of other NH taxpayer activist claimed otherwise and had taxpayers at our ANNUAL FAMILY submitted the petition in plenty of time for For further information on county REUNION PICNIC to be held on July the meeting. CNHT helped BOW activists government contact Carol Holden at 673- 11, 2009 at a location to be determined. go to Superior Court pro se. The judge ruled, 8167 or email at: [email protected] reluctantly, in the school board’s favor but or visit her website: www.carolholden.org It’s fun for the whole family and you said this is the way political activism should ______will be supporting CNHT as well as be carried out. He even said he may not be See Town Taxpayer Websites At networking with the successful activists correct in his ruling because of the poor http://www.cnht.org/groups.php that you have been reading about from construction of the statutes involved and ______all over New Hampshire. also said it might pay to appeal his ruling, work to clean up the law, or file again this A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 4

The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

The Taxpayer’s Worst Enemy Then there was HB 0820-2007, a bill which Stop the Janeway Income Tax! Grafton resident gets dubious award would have established a tax on candy, HB 0891-2007, which would have established a Liberal tax-and-spend NH State Senator At the end of each two-year legislative term, fee to be paid by beverage manufacturers Harold Janeway is trying to have it both many groups publish scorecards for each and distributors, including bottled water. ways. member of the NH House of Representatives. Additionally, Mulholland was the sole He wants to show you that you don’t have to sponsor of CACR 0007-2007 which take the anti-tax pledge to get elected. Ah, Some even give an award for top Legislator proposed a constitutional amendment to but here is a quote from a recent Concord of the Year. make the positions of County Treasurer, Monitor article: Register of Probate, County Attorney, The Coalition of NH Taxpayers is a Sheriff, and Register of Deeds and “We have a revenue-raising problem that, taxpayer watchdog group that advocates for appointed rather than elected position. by its nature, doesn’t keep up with fiscal responsibility in government and expenses,” Janeway said. “I think that, at a lower taxes. This was just a part of the overall tax minimum, it would be time to convene a outrageousness that went on this past high-level meeting to at least visit the issue As bad as this session was because of the session. There was a bill which asked for the of new revenue sources.” huge deficit it portends to bring down upon establishment of a committee to study us, and over 25 new taxes or tax increases implementing a “bedroom” tax on “Doesn’t keep up with expenses”? realized, things could even have been worse residential dwellings. That’s right, HB 0398- if certain people were to get their way. 2007 proposed to study the feasibility of a How many times have we heard this from a tax on the bedrooms in your home. But legislator over the last 30 years or so? And it CNHT would like to bestow its own award surprisingly, Mulholland was not mentioned always seems to be the well-to-do legislators for the 2006-2008 Session. This dubious as a co-sponsor of that bill. that want to put a hand in your pocket or award, “The Taxpayer’s Worst Enemy”, snip off a bit of your paycheck through a goes to Catherine Mulholland, who As a result of the past two years of sales or income tax. represents District 10 in Grafton County. legislative outrageousness, NH now faces between a $158-$495M deficit, has passed Let’s take a look at Janeway’s other She earned this award for the sheer volume the Shoreline Protection Act — a huge statement from that article: of bills she sponsored during the 2006-2008 private-to-state land transfer, and most session, bills which introduced new taxes or recently, effectively in secret, managed to “I’m going to try to show that not taking proposed increases on current taxes, or took push through another huge transfer of the The Pledge is not political suicide”, he said. the power of the vote away from the people. wealth with a $10M State Heating Aid Bill. Big deal, some of our best small government For example: Clearly Mullholland has shown herself to be legislators don’t take The Pledge. It’s the part of the problem. brave ones that say what they intend to do. HB 0925-2008 which... ______What’s Going On at the DRA? How about showing your hand Senator now I. Taxes property which is not primary that you and your Democrat friends raised residential real estate at twice the rate of DRA officials who have resigned or retired spending 17.5% and borrowed, for the first primary residential real estate under the recently: time in NH history, to cover school and local property tax. highway construction? - Director of Property Appraisal II. Establishes a luxury sales and use tax on - Assistant Director of Property Appraisal Why not have the guts to forgo this not motor vehicles costing $30,000 or more and - Property Tax Advisor for Property taking The Pledge nonsense and tell us you any item costing $10,000 or more. Appraisal are FOR a broadbased tax? That is what this “high level meeting” talk is really about. It III. Establishes a tax on entertainment And now, the COMMISSIONER of the is about taking some rich, well-to-do experts admission charges. DEPARTMENT of REVENUE, Philip who can hide their income, as cover to say Blatsos. once again, it’s finally time for a broadbased IV. Establishes a tax on gambling winnings. ______sales or income tax.

V. Expands the definition of tobacco Here is a Copy of “The Pledge” There isn’t really any other way for a tax- products subject to the tobacco tax. and-spender to address the issue — and be honest about it. VI. Changes the method of calculating the beer tax to a method based on price rather Show some integrity and just come out, just than volume. come out and say it:

VII. Establishes a tax on estates exceeding “I, Senator Harold Janeway, am finally, $3,000,000, excluding certain farm property. after adding $450 million to NH’s budget and borrowing millions more, am in favor of VIII. Establishes a payroll tax on businesses an income tax.” with payrolls exceeding $10,000 per week. If you get a shiny Senator Janeway flyer in IX. Changes the rate of the statewide your mailbox, notice that it won’t say he is enhanced education tax. for a broadbased tax. Good old Ichabod Janeway, playing Trick or Treat with NH X. Dedicates revenues from the taxes Please support your representatives voters. established in this bill to the education trust who support The Pledge. fund. Shame, shame, shame.

A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 5

The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

Rochester on the March We collected over 1700 signatures, over March 6 — Last day for supervisors to post by Fred Leonard, Vice President twice the required amount, and on final corrected checklist, on or before Rochester Concerned Taxpayers September 2, 2008, and the Rochester City midnight. RSA 654:28 www.rochestertaxpayers.org Council voted to place the cap question on the November 4, 2008 ballot. March 9, 5:00 PM — Town clerk must be With all that is going on in our world today, available to accept any completed absentee it’s hard to imagine having the time or While our job is not complete, we how have ballots filed in person at least between 3:00 motivation to begin a taxpayer advocacy a network of valuable people and resources PM and 5:00 PM. RSA 652:20; 669:29; group. But all it took was that one more ready to work toward making our 657:22 issue that left me no choice but to do just community a shining example of the New that. Hampshire advantage. March 10 — TOWN ELECTION DAY ______Voters may register at the polls on election While it was one issue that served as the day. RSA 39:1; 669:1; 654:7-a, 7-b catalyst to start a taxpayer group, it had really been years of watching our local 5:00 PM — Deadline for town clerk to government spend more than the taxpayer accept any completed absentee ballots. could afford that moved the start of making RSA 669:29; 657:22 change happen. March 13 — Last day for any person for It was April 16, 2008, just one day after the whom a vote was cast to apply to town clerk Rochester City Council voted to rescind a for a recount. Clerk must be available at March 2008 vote to not take over Skyhaven least between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Airport. RSA 669:30; 652:20

This decision had the potential to cost the ______March 17 — Last day for 10 voters of a Rochester taxpayers hundreds of thousands Town Meeting Election Timeline town to petition clerk to recount ballots on of dollars. Every report generated said that for Upcoming Year 2009 any question printed on official ballot. Clerk must be available at least between 3:00 PM the airport would cost money and any Time to Get Ready is NOW and 5:00 PM. RSA 40:4-c investment to make money would not be ______supported by potential revenues. January 7 — Legislature resumes meeting.

In addition to this decision, the city manager January 21-30 — Filing period for town felt it would be a good time to present his offices using non-partisan ballot system. FY 2009 budget that include a $3.99 per RSA 669:19; 652:20 Nominating petitions thousand increase. or declarations of candidacy or filing fee required RSA 669:19-21 The next morning I phone a fellow watchdog, Tom Kaczynski, to tell him that I February 3 — Last day for 2% of voters of had had enough and asked if he wanted to a town to petition selectmen to place work with me to take action. Tom gladly referendum on ballot to increase or decrease jumped in with both feet. The next thing we memberhip of board of selectmen. RSA did was call the people we knew who have 41:8-b, 8-d. Last day for 25 or more voters, grown more discontent with Rochester’s or 2% of the voters, whichever is less, in the overspending habits. We decided the only town, to petition selectmen to include way to get the council to change its decision, warrant article. RSA 39:3 ______again, was to organize a protest to show Radio Shows in New Hampshire opposition against taking over Skyhaven February 23 — Last day for selectmen to Airport. post warrant at all polling places and at the Al Kulas – WKBK 1290 AM/104.1 FM town clerk’s office and at town hall; warrant Saturday Mornings from 5-9:00 AM The takeover came up one more time for a shall prescribe place, time of election, the vote in May 2008 and our protest ended up time the polls are to open and the time Charlie Sherman – WGIR 610 AM making the difference with the city council before which polls may not close; warrant Weekday Mornings from 5-9:00 AM that evening. shall specify which items will be voted on by ballot. RSA 39:5; 669:2 Meet the New Press – WEMJ 1490 AM From protesting the council’s decision to Saturday Mornings 9-11:00 AM take over the airport, we turned toward February 28 — Session of supervisors for initiating a tax and spending cap to put corrections to checklist as a minimum Niel Young – WEZS 1350 AM needed spending limits in place. requirement between 11:00 AM and 11:30 Saturday Mornings from 8-12:00 AM AM and at the discretion of the supervisors “It was a great victory for the for extended hours. RSA 654:27, 28; 669:5 Dan Belforti – WSCA 106.1 FM

taxpayer and we then set our Fridays from 12-1:00 PM Last day for town clerk/supervisors to accept sights on the next challenge.” voter registration applications. No additions NH Taxpayer Radio – WLMW 90.7 FM or corrections shall be made to the Thursday Evenings from 6-8:00 PM checklist after this session, until election (Most have streaming as we do.) This time they voted, again, to not takeover day, except as provided in RSA 659:12, the airport. It was a great victory for the RSA 654:8, II taxpayer and we then set our sights on the next challenge.

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The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

Fat of Head and Flat of Foot Consentino has even had the gall to ask Cities often face hefty fines when federal by Ed Naile people who made past donations to the water quality mandates change, and smaller Town account to request those funds back school districts often spend more money Let’s do some and re-donate them to his stash - $6,500 has complying with litigation and testing quick math – been re-donated so far. requirements than they get back in federal municipal style. I know two of the Atkinson Selectmen want funds. to comply with the AG’s office and get the ______The Atkinson Town portion of this scam straightened out Is Our NH Government For Sale? Town Budget has but there is the nagging problem of the town by Honorable Bob Mead, Hillsborough 4 a line item resources being used for private gain. appropriation of $19,000 for Elderly Affairs. The headlines over the past few days show It is not good for any community to have a that there is a massive plan by activists, This money pays for the jazzed up cruiser bully or a weasel in the position of Police using ACORN and illegal campaign Police Chief Consentino uses to shuttle little Chief. In the end it costs much more than the contributions, to influence the upcoming old ladies to doctors appointments. This short term pain of dealing with him. elections in the so-called battleground states. project helps this incompetent, thick-headed, bully in uniform buy grateful votes for CNHT is going to ask, through RSA 91-A, While New Hampshire is considered one of Atkinson Town Meetings. Call it a taxpayer for all the records of the Atkinson Elderly those battleground states, why are we not funded get-out-the-vote scam. Affairs appropriation and publish them on hearing anything about concentrated efforts line if the Atkinson Selectmen do not take to register illegal or non-existent voters? The Up until this year Consentino was getting action themselves soon. Being an Atkinson reason for this is simply because we now donations from some of the little old ladies Selectman and having answers about this allow individuals from other states, who like and putting them in the Elderly Affairs shady account would probably make the to come to New Hampshire and vote in our account where he had control of the money. phone calls from reporters much easier to elections, to do so, by filing an affidavit Then, along comes the NH AG’s Office and deal with. stating an intent to live here, then registering points out to Atkinson the fact that under and voting all at the same time. Oh, and by state law the Trustees of the Trust Fund For a look at some of the many lawsuits Consentino the way, they can do this without showing has caused over the years in Atkinson see: control these types of donations. http://www.cnht.org/news/category/police-departments/ any identification.

What does Consentino do? He creates his The Democratic base is galvanized as never own non-profit 501c-3 to collect gifts. Now Cold Response before, so we can expect to see waves of nobody is going to tell the bully what to do! by Albert “Max” Abramson activists from other states coming to New He has his own personal slush fund. www.badbegin.ning.com Hampshire seeking same-day registration and voting. This has all been made possible But does he? In light of the 17% increase in state by the Democratic majority’s passing into spending during the most recent session, law House Bill 132, making the claim of Last year, Chief Consentino claimed to have coupled with an expensive bailout of the domicile for voting purposes not conclusive made 1,644 trips with his Town Elderly state pension fund and a (possible) $500 of the person’s residence, and thereby giving Affairs money. This is the $19,000 voters million dollar deficit, there is another rising legal status to vote by simply declaring raise each year as part of the police budget. cost of state government that is generally one’s intent to live in New Hampshire. neglected by the papers. Local governments Now is when we ask, how is that financially are being forced to deal more with federal Because there is no way to verify the stated possible? and state mandates, leaving less time and intent of these voters, they can just disappear money to deal with local concerns. after voting. Same-day registration without It isn’t. identification, can allow fraudulent voting After spending hundreds of thousands on across multiple locations by the same The Chief is obviously using much more water meters for each home in town, individuals. This is all cemented neatly in Atkinson Police Department money to Seabrook Selectman Brendan Kelly replies place by the legislative majority blocking accomplish his goal of dominating Atkinson that the State “wouldn’t allow us to borrow House Bill 353, which would have allowed politics with his legion of Elderly Affairs water...because we didn’t have meters in all public access to questionable ballots for 60 beneficiaries. This means fewer patrols by our houses”. days prior to their destruction. The police on duty because the appropriation for Democrats have been careful to make sure that town function is being tapped for sleazy Residents have been distraught at the cost of that there’s no way for the individual politics. dealing with meters that break when water fraudulent ballots to be identified, and in them freezes, leading to property damage efforts by challengers at the polls who want What about maintenance of vehicles? How and wasted water. “Instead of removing to view the “confidential affidavits” by can anyone make 1,644 trips anywhere with dozens of meters when vacationers leave for which the voter fraud is being committed a cruiser for $19,000? Remember, earlier the winter”, says Kelly, “city workers could have been met with resistance by some this year I caught Consentino and a little old be doing something else”. moderators who apparently refuse to make lady leaving Manchester in the Elderly them available. As the coup-de-grace, same- Affairs cruiser on Rt. 93 going over 80 miles Indianapolis Mayor Steve Goldsmith stated day registration affidavits used to break the per hour. Someone has to buy, maintain, that fund from over 500 federal programs law, quickly disappear after the election. insure, fuel, and fix this rig when something aimed at cities and disadvantaged residents goes wrong. are tied down by so many federal strings, This outside interference is an outrage and that “it is practically useless”. Many renters the see-no-evil attitude of the State’s Before Chief Consentino created his will not accept Section 8 tenants simply Attorney General and Secretary of State’s PERSONAL 501c3 non-profit Elderly because the conditions attached to the funds office should not be tolerated. Every illegal Affairs donations went to the Town of can apply to a building permanently, making vote cancels your legal vote. I urge every Atkinson to offset expenses, now they go to it unprofitable to reach out to these folks. concerned citizen to contact the Governor the bully’s private account. and their Representatives to let them know stealing will not be tolerated.

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The Windsor Way approximating $600,000 showed uncollected hike,” said Grover Norquist, president of by Eb Chamberlain property taxes of about $400,000. Americans for Tax Reform. “The revenue- raising scheme brought in just enough This is about small town politics and how After reviewing the books, I received at money for the state to keep bringing in things are done without regard for the honest Court we found that the Tax Collector had more. This sham exposes exactly how taxpayer. NOT been collecting taxes or interest for a money-hungry lawmakers mask tax hikes in select group of people, i.e. herself, her son paternalistic justifications. A tax hike is a When I viewed the Tax Collector's Report in (the Moderator) at least one of the selectmen tax hike - a means to fill state coffers.” our 2006 Town Report there was a hand- and close friends. written message on a page "Not Available The cigarette tax hike comes as New At Print Time". To further exemplify the folly, there were no Hampshire faces an estimated $380 mil- liens placed on the these properties of lion in overspending for the current bien- This is not legal. When I asked the unpaid taxes. nium budget. New Hampshire brought in Selectmen about this, I was told to come to $139 million in cigarette taxes in 2007 and the following week's meeting and request We did not track the records any further the tax increase is predicted to generate an the report. back than 2000. Our hope was that the additional $18 million in revenue each State's Revenue Dept. would do this. year. However, cigarette tax hikes often At the next meeting, I was told that the lead to decreased tax revenue. After New Selectmen were not responsible for the To date, no State agency has assumed their Jersey raised the cigarette tax just 17.5 report; this is the Tax Collector's business. duties and given the taxpayers of Windsor cents in 2007, the state lost $24 million in She, the Tax Collector, was not available at the help that was asked of them. After a year tobacco tax revenue from consumers who that meeting. I returned the following week and a half from the Town Meeting of 2007, sought cheaper products across state lines and was told by the Tax Collector that she the DRA Commissioner did finally order the or from other venders. “The cigarette tax did not have them available for me to view. Town to have a professional audit. This hike allowed lawmakers to overspend audit was for the year 2007 as requested by taxpayer money by relying on revenue from I returned for 9 more consecutive weeks and the DRA, town attorney and selectmen. this future tax increase,” added Norquist. received answers like: "you're not looking “Unfortunately, tobacco tax increases at my books" and "I'm not sure where they To bring this to a temporary conclusion, we frequently result in a declining source of are located". "One of the selectmen has are awaiting the completion of this revenue and hook taxpayers into future tax them at home" was another comment, and professional audit in order to see where the hikes once legislators become reliant on the "why do you want to know who owes back Town of Windsor stands financially. budgeted revenue.” taxes, do you want to force some old lady or someone who's sick out of their home?" • October 31, 2007 the Tax Collector Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is a non- resigned. partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer And yet another comment "what do you groups who oppose all tax increases. For want to do, buy up their property?" • June 17, 2008 a Selectman resigned more information or to arrange an interview effective July 2. please contact John Kartch at (202) 785- 0266 or by email at [email protected] • July 15, 2008 the Selectmen fired the ______Secretary of 9 years. The 2006-2008 Legislature • July 29, 2008 the Chair Selectman Raised Taxes About 25 Times resigned along with his wife, the ______Treasurer. ______New Hampshire Raises Cigarette Tax After Smokers Fail to Bring in Enough Revenue

Washington, D.C. – The New Hampshire cigarette tax increased on Wednesday, triggered by an automatic 25-cent hike after The comment that finally put me over the the state failed to bring in enough tax edge was when the Tax Collector stuck her revenue. The tax jumped from $1.08 to finger in my face and bluntly told me "you $1.33 per pack of cigarettes, making it the stay out of this, you're going to cause a lot 22nd highest in the country. of trouble for a lot of people".

Legislation passed earlier this year set the stage to raise the tax, unless cigarette tax I let her know that was not my intention. I collection reached $50 million between July later decided to file a Right to Know (RSA and September. Following an audit by the 91-A) request with the Supreme Court. state Revenue Administration, New During our Court hearing, the judge ruled in Hampshire brought in roughly $48 million our favor , and also ordered them to during the three-month timeframe, just shy reimburse me for the expenses incurred to of the amount needed to stave off the tax present this case. hike.

When all this started, the little Town of “This tax increase on Granite State con- Windsor, NH with an approximate sumers was sold as a way to reduce population of 250 and a yearly budget smoking, but all it did was tell smokers to purchase more cigarettes to prevent a tax A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 8

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Job Training Vouchers and Politics New Hampshire Values Quietly Our Vital Tourism Industry: by Michele Becker Slipping Away? Should We Gamble On It? by Bob Mead My testimony favoring HB1211 is on file Patrons do not leave casinos to visit nearby with the NH Department of Education. The Angered by Washington, conservative New visitor amenities. Casinos maximize profit purpose of the Bill was designed to have Hampshire voters stayed home in protest last using subsidized rooms, meals and alcohol State approved proprietary training program election, and the Democrats took the reins of to hold patrons on site until they have lost as courses meet employer requirements. After control to our state. Ever since then, our much money as possible. Casinos like this working for several years as a “Live Free Or Die” uniqueness has been would sully New Hampshire’s healthy, Histotechnologist and Laboratory Manager I quietly slipping away. Recent polls show family-friendly and valuable “brand” image, found myself unemployed. Desiring to stay that 80% of New Hampshire residents are crucial to our second largest industry, in the medical field I was referred to unaware that the Democratic-controlled tourism. Medical Coding and Billing programs by legislature passed our first ever $10.3 billion employment counselors at the Manchester budget by increasing state spending 17.5%, Career One Stop Center. They referred me then raised 30 taxes and fees to pay for the “Gambling: a to 4 local training programs, all licensed by $475 million increase in spending, a tax State of NH Postsecondary Education. When increase of $275 for each man, woman, and tax on the I asked which programs were best, I was child in NH. Despite increasing registration mathematically told I would be able to tell by the order in fees on trucks and trailers by $90, autos $6, which they handed me the advertising motorcycles 25%, select highway tolls impaired.” brochure of the training companies. Federal 100%, redefining small cigars as cigarettes law prohibits them from pointing consumers and passing two tax increases, increasing Says Ledyard Connecticut's Mayor "There to particular programs. I was clearly steered turkey and moose hunting permits by 300%, has been no economic development spin- anyway. real estate filing fees, adding new court fees, off from the [Foxwoods] casino ... Gamblers and shifting nursing care costs to the have one thing in mind: get to the casino, I was approved for a $4,000.00 pell grant counties, which directly increases local win or lose their money, get in their cars, voucher and could not see handing it over to property taxes, their spending and taxing and go home." any of these programs called Medical spree still left the state with a $200 million

Billing and Coding Specialist. They were budget shortfall. Attempting to cover their This is why members of the New Hampshire ultra-short speedy programs that just spending spree, the Democrats called an Lodging and Restaurant Association happened to cost the same as the grant overnight “Emergency Legislative amount that was approved for me. My overwhelmingly oppose casinos. Once Session,” then suspended the legislative thought to be a panacea for government experience of searching out training and rules to avoid embarrassing public hearings, interviewing each of these training vendors revenue, casinos nationwide are seeing and pushed through an $80 million bonding diminished revenue. left me with a clear understanding that most scheme, borrowing bond money to pay for are designed to have taxpayer money flow ______previously borrowed bond money, leaving directly into their wallets and not designed that debt to our next generation. Oblivious to to meet the needs of anyone wanting to federal regulations requiring 60 days’ prior become a certified Medical Coder. I learned approval before spending bond money, they that no employer hires from these types of found themselves still short millions for a training classes. HB1211 was not passed. balanced budget. Unconcerned, they blunder ahead, knowing the budget deficit will not Apparently, legislators don't mind be seen until next year, after the November wasting taxpayer money on proprietary elections. programs that will not meet the goals of the unemployed or the standards and Democrats have been deliberately driving requirements of employers in the New Hampshire into a financial crisis of healthcare industry. which an income or broad-based tax will be ______the only way out. If this unchecked spending continues, they will succeed, and our current

Support record budget will pale in comparison to Second Amendment Rights future budgets that can be balanced by ever- increasing income taxes. Join CNHT

Noteworthy social accomplishments claimed ______by the Democratic majority this term include

increasing our healthcare costs by mandating cover- age for dependent children

up to age 26, even those not living at home or even within our state; repealing the

mandatory parental abortion notification law for minor girls; forcing young adults to stay

in school until age 18; rescinding the approval for new charter schools; and

legalizing same- sex civil unions.

Enough is enough. It’s now time we return to the conservative values that have made

New Hampshire such a special place to live.

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Small Victory for Property Rights The hearing was on live cable access and we what the real cost or liability. It is surprising in Weare, NH had a full ZBA Board as well as an alternate. how much of a tough sell to the “LST” and by Ed Naile H/D School Board this issue has been. I told them I would read aloud, and very On July 3rd, I represented a homeowner in slowly, from NH Practice, the way NH Joel has severe epilepsy and was front of the Weare ZBA. He had a Cease and courts look at abandonment. Then I would hospitalized three times since May with Desist Order placed on his property because read back to them the relevant part of the seizures because he is outgrowing, or in the Code Enforcement Officer, Chip Weare Ordinance so we could all follow some way not effected as much, by his Meaney (not kidding) claimed the property along and not drift into other issues. standard medication. A month ago an was “abandoned” during the time it was emergency trip to Dartmouth Hospital lasted purchased and being remodeled. The owner After I did this the lawyer for the town four days and resulted in a letter from has been sick to his stomach about this since employee/abutter made some arguments I neurologist saying Joel should not be in any 2004 when Mr. Meaney did it the first time still do not fathom other than it may have public school. Joel’s neurologist said he and then backed down before we had to made his client feel better. We then had a belongs in a facility with MDs on site. That appeal to the ZBA. vote from the Board. One member mad sure site would naturally be Crotched Mountain everyone knew what a yes or no vote meant. where he has been since his family moved In Weare, the zoning ordinance exempts all from Henniker to Hillsboro/Deering. USES existing on the date of adoption. We We got a unanimous vote to overrule the call this “grandfathering” for short. The Cease and Desist from the five voting A few weeks back Joel was sent to the property in question is on a small lot and is a members, two of whom voted against us last Peterborough Hospital by ambulance from residence—in a residential district. time. Even the alternate who recused Crotched Mountain because he had a seizure himself said he would have voted with us as they could not control. We were still under Mr. Meaney claimed then in 2004 and again well. Mr. Meaney, after two hearings, never the impression until their September action, in 2007 that the residence was a pre-existing sent a letter or showed up to defend his the “Life Skills Team” at H/D was not going NON-CONFORMING use that had been Cease and Desist. to change their minds about moving Joel to ABANDONED. This is not true and the their school. Our plan previous to the Cease and Desist orders were clearly, And I never even had to use my “ace in the reversal of the decision remove Joel from clearly, wrong. But since the neighbor is a hole” argument. CM was to jump over the “LST” and have town employee it looks like the case got the H/D School Board itself do the right special treatment. During this debacle I went to Cilley Hill thing and let Joel stay at the rehab center Road in Weare and measured the distance and finish his public education there. I printed out for each Weare ZBA member from the road to the front porch of the the NH Practice and Procedure description former home of US Supreme Court Justice CNHT Director Ed Naile appeared, along of ABANDONMENT. I made a little book David Souter, which for all intents and with the Durhams, several times before the for each one and even highlighted the purposes is about as abandoned as you can board to try to persuade them that Joel was a relevant portions such as: get. His place is about ten feet from the right medical problem not an educational problem of way putting him in the same position as and his well-being and safety were at stake. In NH there is a two part test for the homeowner we were helping. The Hillsboro/Deering School Board would abandonment, one being was the have none of it and wanted no discussion of abandonment physical, such as, are the taxes Had the Weare ZBA not caved in to reality Joel’s situation in public. paid, lawn mowed place boarded up, etc. it would have made a nice Superior Court The second test is; was the abandonment argument. Here was our argument to the school board: intentional or willful? For example, was no ______Joel has severe medical problems combined one using the property because of illness, with a fluctuating ability of his meds to was it on the market, or was there a probate Help Support Property Rights control them. He does not speak and has issue. limited mobility. Joel is entitled to State Join CNHT Today! Catastrophic Aid which means the school is Remember, Mr. Meaney shut down the liable for only $38,600.00 of the total of homeowner from fixing the property back in ______much of the $127,000.00 his education cost 2004, just after he bought it, then reversed This Was A Tough Win last year. Medicaid covers half of any therapy he receives. If the average student himself days later (after I visited him) and cost for H/D is $11,000.00 or so the school said go ahead without us going to the ZBA “Out of left field” is how Cindi Durham, is only spending roughly $27,000.00 more for a variance to work on this residence in a mother of the 17 year old special needs on Joel than any other student, not residential district. Now in the spring of student, described the decision by $150,000.00 like most taxpayers there think 2007 we get a Cease and Desist sending us Hillsboro/Deering Cooperative School when they see the budget at the Annual there A DAY AFTER HE ISSUED THE District’s “Life Skills Team” to leave her School District Meeting. As per our Right to OWNER A SEPTIC APPROVAL FOR son, Joel Jr., in the Crotched Mountain Know requests of the school we have found THE SAME PROPERTY. The owner is a Rehabilitation Center, where he had been that they have to date spent $20,000.00 on state certified septic designer. placed by his former school. This is a big legal fees involving this case! The Durhams win for the Durham family, Joel Jr., have no lawyer – they are working with Back in May we went to the ZBA thinking taxpayers in the Hillsboro/Deering School CNHT. This could be much more expensive this would be cleared up. Meaney did not District, and of course our taxpayer group, had counsel been retained by the Durhams. attend. There were only four ZBA members CNHT. The Coalition of NH Taxpayers had on the panel and we lost in a tie vote and been helping the Durham family since early This decision by the H/D “Life Skills team” appealed. This set up last week’s June 3 this year to reverse the attempt by the H/D is real and final for this school year and we hearing. “Life Skills Team,” the persons in the school have a big win for everyone involved. charged with creating a place within the Thanks to Joel’s parents for sticking with us Meaney was again a no show. The neighbor district for any out-of-district placements of through some tough times. again had an attorney. special needs students, to bring Joel from the

facility he has been in for six years and place him in their new program no matter

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The Importance of Attending How simple and effective, as opposed to a “Dealing with the revenue issues of FY 2008 Town Meeting state legislature doling out revenue to towns (the raiding of the $61M 2007 surplus, by Ed Naile in a classic patronage system. $10MK in bonding and FY 2008 shortfall) coupled with the FY 2009 revenue shortfall Annual meetings are a good time to reflect But it takes taxpayer participation and of approximately $200M and bonding on what local control is all about, and that is education to retain our quality of life in NH. payments for current expenses in the amount our quality of life here in New Hampshire. There is always a well funded, well meaning of $40M, we are looking at over $360M in In the Granite State more than anywhere group of tax and spenders eager to show you revenue shortfall this budget cycle. If the else individuals are more responsible for how other states extract all they can from economy stalls, then the next budget cycle their portion of taxes than the government in taxpayers. could be faced with an approximate $580M the state capitol. revenue shortfall”, added Major. Is that who we want in Concord calling the Except for bonds and a few other votes that shots? Or do we want to stay with a tradition “Representative Major has always been require supermajorities, our annual meetings that has served us well through dozens of right on the button when it comes to revenue are pure democracies. If you participate you attempts to follow a tax and spend path. estimates,” added Deputy Republican have a say - stay home and suffer the ______Leader, Representative David Hess (R- consequences, which are often the expensive Hooksett). “His projections through the end result of well meaning individuals eager and “The citizens of New Hampshire of this fiscal year are frightening. When the more than willing to add to existing need to know that the Democrats additional $100M needed to pay for the spending proposals or creating their own. It current education funding plan is added to is a rough and tumble business but it is as are leading us down this one-way this conservative revenue shortfall they say, “The New Hampshire Advantage” path” concluded Hess. projection, we are facing a staggering low taxes, personal responsibility, and shortfall of close to half a billion dollars. government close to the governed. That tells me one thing: the Democrats in ______Concord are digging a hole that we can get NH Risks $380 Million Shortfall Our enviable quality of life in New out of only by passing a broadbased sales or Hampshire comes with a price, and that Thanks To Concord Democrats income tax. That has always been part of price is citizen participation. It can never be their agenda. These numbers confirm it. The purchased with any broad based tax According to former house Ways and Means citizens of New Hampshire need to know administered from Concord. The two are Committee Chairman Representative N (R- that the Democrats are leading us down this mutually exclusive - have one - lose the Plaistow) the state is heading for disaster one-way path”, concluded Hess. other. It is that simple. thanks to the financial mismanagement by ______the Democrat in Concord since they took If in New Hampshire we fall for the old control of the House for the first time in 80 Support the falsehood that by allowing a broad based years. “Right to Know” Law scheme property taxes will magically be lower we would end up with both and they At the beginning of the state’s two year State Statute RSA 91-A would be in- creased every year until we budget cycle, in 2007, the Way sand Means ______become just another high tax state. Broad Committee was not allowed to look at based taxes raise revenue in cycles - vicious revenue numbers until after the governor’s budget presentation. Then work on revenue cycles. projections began and were discussed If a municipality's income or sales tax frankly, until Finance Committee Chair revenue falls then taxes are raised to meet Representative Marge Smith (D-Durham) spending or the state has to borrow. Should told the Ways and Means Committee tens of revenue come in more than expected it is millions of additional revenues were needed often spent on programs that cost even more to fund the budget requests and that the later. The list of wants for state government committee should look to the sky for those is endless. And who would want to miss out revenues. Estimates were inflated and on matching Federal funds? Use it or lose it passed by the committee on a partisan basis. becomes the mantra. It is a lose-lose game. According to Major, the state still does not have a revenue problem, but its misplaced With the New Hampshire Advantage of local control, voters decide what gets spent priorities in spending have caused the on an annual basis. The property tax, based current ail. “Growth in revenues is in the 3- on the value of the property in that 4% range, but since the Democrats passed a community or of all the ones in a budget with a 17.5% increase, the revenue cooperative school, is the vehicle by which numbers were inflated to match the revenue is raised. There is a direct expenditures” state Major. “The enacted budget is within just a few million of the relationship between what a community has and what it decides to spend. governor’s proposed budget – this is pure politics, plain and simple” This process bootstraps a municipality into a real budget - no smoke - no mirrors. There is NH State government has been following never a windfall to get rid of, and a deficit the country’s borrow, spend and credit abuse would be the result of overspending the mentality by overestimating revenues, bonding operating costs, and spending budget. If the voters found it unreasonable, the culprits are right there at the next annual beyond our means. The current general fund meeting. spending has produced a $360 million revenue shortfall problem in this biennium.

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Help Stop Increase in The representatives listed have If you are able and interested consider Homeschooling Regulation demonstrated that they favor increased attending the commission to observe its by Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. Staff Attorney governmental regulation over New proceedings. Together we can preserve Hampshire homeschools. This is in spite of homeschooling freedom in New Hampshire. facts that show that homeschoolers continue We know that freedom isn’t free. It requires It is critical that to perform well. It is hard to understand why sacrifice and hard work. I know HSLDA can New Hampshire New Hampshire legislators and Education count on freedom-loving homeschoolers in Homeschoolers Department bureaucrats want to invest so New Hampshire to zealously guard their send homeschool- much time in regulating an area of education rights. friendly succeeding so well, especially when New representatives to Hampshire public schools need far more HSLDA is privileged to serve you. Your the legislature this attention. membership allows us to advocate for year. homeschooling freedom in New Hampshire,

Unless you take action to send different with our federal government, and all over New Hampshire homeschoolers fought a kinds of members to the legislature, we will the world. We thank you for your attention fought battle last year against SB 337 that likely have a far more difficult time fending to these important matters of freedom and would have significantly increased off increased regulation in the coming for your ongoing support. government intrusion into the lives of legislative session. ______homeschoolers. And, as much as I would like to report otherwise, this small victory last year IS NOT an indication that the battle Action Requested is over.

Support homeschool

I have received multiple reports that some friendly candidates. members of the education committee are I urge you to get preparing to file legislation to substantially involved in your local increase regulation over New Hampshire races in support of the homeschools. These reports indicate a homeschool- friendly serious threat to freedom for new Hampshire candidate. Find out homeschools, and I am asking you to take where the candidates stand and get involved. action now to help prevent this threat. In New Hampshire, it is possible for a

handful of people to influence a House

Members of the House Education election because the races are in relatively

Committee who supported the Rouse small areas. The best way for homeschoolers amendment to SB 337 (the Rous to preserve freedom for homeschooling in

Amendment was the more restrictive New Hampshire is to elect representatives amendment) were in these districts: who will vote against increased regulation.

J. Timothy Dunn — Cheshire 3 Attend the CheNH business meeting. [email protected] CheNH will be holding its annual business

meeting on October 24. An exciting guest

Claire Clarke — Merrimack 6 speaker who is active in local government in

(603) 796-2268 the Seacoast area is planned. He will talk

about the upcoming legislative battles over

Kim Casey — Rockingham 11 homeschooling based on his personal [email protected] experience. Please make plans to attend

now. Even if you aren’t a member of

Kimberly Shaw — Hillsborough 26 CheNH, you won’t want to miss this event. [email protected] For more information visit the CheNH

website at www.chenh.org. HSLDA is

Emma Rous (Chair) — Strafford 7 pleased to partner with CheNH and other [email protected] New Hampshire homeschool leaders to

defend the freedom to homeschool in New

Members of the Senate Education Hampshire with minimal government

Committee who supported the Estabrook interference. version of SB 337 (the most troublesome version) were: Stay informed about the commission that

was set up as a result of SB 337.

Iris Estabrook — District 21 The commission has started meeting and

(did not run again) consists of homeschoolers, legislators and

government school authorities. The

Joseph A. Foster — District 13 commission has been struggling to get

(did not run again) organized, and most recently the chair of the

commission, Ms. Judy Day, resigned and

Martha Fuller Clark — District 24 Representative Kim Casey (who supported [email protected] the most restrictive legislation) has taken her

place. HEAC member Chris Hamilton has

Molly Kelly — District 10 been chronicling the meetings of the [email protected] commission at a website here:

http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5563

A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 12

The Taxing Times October 2008 • Serving All of New Hampshire • Statewide Election Edition • Free

Talk About Being Effective special meetings, it passed. There has been a Oh but it had plenty of voters back in 2000 long history of the tax and spenders using when CNHT started collecting evidence of Two years ago CNHT got a call of distress special meetings to ram through spending fraud. Voting from 159 Bear Brook Rd. we from The Mondanock Taxpayers that would not pass with a full compliment had: Association. Some group had “purchased” of voters at an Annual Meeting. It is the only their name from the Secretary of State’s way some schools and municipalities can Nathaniel R. Lengacher of Ft. Wayne, office and was about to scuttle their well beat an effective taxpayer group. So you Indiana; Elizabeth A. Buck of South Bend, respected VOTER GUIDE. By the end of know you are effective when they stoop to Indiana; Nicholas Peterson of Boston, Ma.; that day CNHT had helped the group get it. Farlin Black of Northampton Ma.; Nichole their name back and even created a website. L. Siegrist of parts unknown (opu); But the next Annual School District Meeting Meredith J. Benson opu; Christine A. Kelly Their VOTER GUIDE is the last word in is coming up in a few months and we think opu; Joseph M Gallagher opu; Sean school spending. If they support something, the Monadnock School Taxpayers will be Kullman opu. it passes, if not, it goes down. That has been ready. the history of their VOTER GUIDE. ______Now we don’t know much about these folks We Need Voter ID Laws NOW! who voted in Deerfield NH in 2000 except Kudos to the activists of the mighty they appear to have worked in the area for Monadnock School Taxpayers Association Starting on 2000 CNHT began collecting “AmeriCorps”. This must be some sort of who have been digging into and not letting examples of suspected voter fraud. It’s a ACORN affiliate? It may be an affiliate of go of the salary padding scheme they long and complicated process to comb “Vote From Home” the organization helping uncovered at that school. through what little public information non-residents vote in Ohio. So many taxpayers are allowed to have about people organizations, so many vote stealing In an effort to inflate retirement benefits of who register to vote in NH and to then prove schemes. Monadnock Regional School District who was or was not a resident, or as they employees, the financial gurus at the school say “domiciled” in our state. This information from Deerfield NH and put health care payments into the payroll these names were handed over to the NH mix which pumped up the final year salary Below is an example of names from AG’s Office at the time, but as luck would figures for 38 present and past employees. returned mail of voters in Deerfield who have it for the residents of this non-resident, This would allow these few to get a larger registered and voted here in the year 2000. non-address, they were not prosecuted. That retirement payment than their salary would seems to be the standard response to voter legally allow under state laws. CNHT has been collecting this type of fraud here. Ignore and excuse, excuse and information in the hope we can elect a ignore, that is how we keep our NH Put simply, only payroll and any other legislature and governor in NH interested in elections so squeaky clean. Why, if we do payments to employees which are included passing some voter identification laws, or the same with arson fires in our state we in income taxable by the IRS can be used for even prosecution of individuals who abuse could wipe out that crime in as well! retirement calculations. the process. And did you know that almost every year we You can’t blame any school employees that Voter fraud is highlighting many discussions weaken NH election laws? We sure do! Add took the offer from higher-ups in the regarding this election, as well as our pals at to that the constant vetoing of any form of education industry but they were misled. ACORN, the voter “registration” voter identification by NH governors like The report from the NH Retirement System organization to which Obama has funneled Jeanne Shaheen, three times, and John Hearings Examiner Carolyn F. Johnson money throughout his career. Obama Lynch, once so far, and there you have it. couldn’t be more clear and in line with the worked for and supported ACORN and their NH doesn’t need ACORN to gin up the non- wording in the statutes. affiliates as their attorney. resident vote. They already have plenty of help right under the State House dome. This all began for us at CNHT about a year ACORN is an association of “community and a half ago when Dick Bauries and Dan organizers” nationwide and gets taxpayer CNHT will keep collecting evidence of what Connell of the Monadnock School dollars to ply its trade. If this election is won we believe is abuse of our election laws and Taxpayers Association asked if a CNHT by a slim margin Obama will have his posting the public documents on our web Director would go with them to one of the cohorts at ACORN to thank – and reward. site. scheduled meetings they set up with the NH Retirement Board in Concord. There was Recently, journalist Michelle Malkin Admittedly we did not expect ACORN to not much in the way of contact with MSTA reported on October 15 an article about a put such a spotlight on voter fraud this after that because they kept monitoring home in Ohio where some non-resident election cycle so we will publish a sample of meetings on their own. political activists vote from illegally. First what we have here and anyone interested in reported by Shelby Holliday and Tiffany looking at other material can simply turn to Now it hits the fan statewide. Other schools Wilson at the Palestra.net website this home our we site www.cnht.org and judge for and towns may be doing the same thing, is subject of an investigation by the Franklin yourself how big the problem is. which is putting great stress on the already County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien. beleaguered retirement system. Until we have elected officials who are At least this vote stealing scheme has a willing to protect your NH vote, please On another note, there was a Special home at 2885 Brownlee Ave. in Columbus collect any public documents or evidence Meeting allowed by the Superior Court Ohio. A similar vote stealing scheme in New you come across that looks like it may show recently in this district regarding a teachers Hampshire had NO home, just an imaginary non-resident voting. CNHT would be glad to contract that failed at the Annual Meeting in place called 159 Bear Brook Road, in add it to our collection. March. A teachers contract is not an Deerfield NH where there is no 159 “emergency” as the law requires for a residence either. Registering, keeping records of, sending special meeting. But as is often the case with mail to, and purging the lists of non-resident voters costs NH taxpayer and candidates money. We stand in long lines to vote while they pay no taxes, serve no jury duty.

A Publication of The Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers • 136 North Main Street Concord NH 03301 • Website www.cnht.org 13