GraniteGrok

Starting Saturday morning at 9 am!

As usual, this week's broadcast version of GraniteGrok and Now!Hampshire.com brings an array of items and guests for your consideration-- ALL STARTING AT 9AM! As always, thanks to the technical wizardry and analytical skills of Skip, if you are beyond the broadcast area of Newstalk 1490 WEMJ, simply click here for instructions on how to connect and listen on the Internet via livestream. (Podcasts here)

• Troop Rally at 11 AM in Concord! Karen Thurston of the NH Blue Star Mothers fills us in. Also, even bigger, the Freedom Ride this coming Thursday.

• Kevin Smith of CPR-Action will review what's happening down in Concord, and what gems the majority Dmes have in store next. What follows in the aftermath of the passage of gay marriage in the Granite State? We'll also preview the "It's the Spending, Stupid tea party scheduled for 12 Noon on June 24th.

Governor Lynch has announced plans to unveil yet more tax schemes, including a new tax on home mortgage refinances, as part of the House and Senate budget negotiations.  The House and Senate meanwhile have proposed, among others: a 83% increase in the gasoline tax, a 5% capital gains tax, an 8% "death" tax, an increase in toll fees, a 25% increase in the home heating oil tax, and casino-style slots at five locations around the state.  These revenue schemes are an effort to fill a budget hole caused by runaway spending increases that include: a 17% increase in the SFY08-09 budget and a proposed 8% increase in spending in the SYF10-11 budget.

Speaking to the press, Governor John Lynch noted that an across-the-board spending cut would be,"simplistic and poor financial management."  Representatives from both CPR-Action and the NHAC called Lynch's remarks frightening and unacceptable especially during a recession.

• Philip Klein is the Washington correspondent for the American Spectator, where he writes for the monthly print edition and contributes to the daily website and blog. Prior to joining the Spectator, Klein worked for more than three years as a reporter at the New York bureau of Reuters, where he covered financial news. Klein's writing and commentary has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dallas Morning News, the Politico and the Atlanta-Journal Constitution among other publications. He holds a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor's degree from the George Washington University, where he majored in history and economics and graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Phil has written extensively about the new push for health care "reform." Whether it's cost, or what it could do to existing services, there's no doubt the changes proposed are radically different than what we find with the present system.

• And of course, ===============>> Your calls are encouraged at 603 527 1490.

It all starts at 9AM EST Saturday. Tune in if you're in Central NH at NewsTalk 1490AM WEMJ or live on the 'Net here... This is not your Poppy's radio show. You won't need to wedge toothpicks into your eyelids to stay awake here!