Adam Montgomery certainly made for much water cooler talk, reaching beyond state lines as a high-profile defendant and convict. I know of nobody who disagrees that he’s a bad person deserving of punishment. With regard to philosophy, science, and spirituality, much talk can be had by experts and laypeople regarding his future, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.
Julie Smith
Republican Enemies of Transparency
I’m going to call a spade a spade. There will be no sugarcoating and no special treatment for any reps that I once liked and respected, so let’s get started. Consider me the National Transportation Safety Board examining the wreckage.
Riddle Me This: What Do Jan Schmidt and Kelly Ayotte Have in Common?
Let me start with a routine disclaimer that criticism of Kelly Ayotte is NOT an endorsement of Chuck Morse. Never forget what he did on 11/19/21. With that said, I have a few observations about Kelly that I’d like to share, and I’ll get to Jan in a moment.
“Community Power” and “Vax Bills!” – Did That Get Your Attention?
Now that I have your attention, you will soon know why I put those two topics in the same sentence, but you will have to keep reading.
Book Report: “Stop Lying about Education Savings Accounts”
When I learned that Ian Underwood’s latest book was available, I eagerly awaited an opportunity to buy it. An in-person sale that didn’t require excessive miles on my odometer. Today was the day because his wife had a table at an event in my zip code.
Speaking of Lawyers, Let’s Talk About The Attorney General
Inspired by yesterday’s Facebook post by former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte regarding her affection for law enforcement and a recent piece on her primary opponent, Chuck Morse, I have an important question for BOTH of them. What do they plan to do with Formella?
Legal Lad Lehmann Weighs in and It’s a Right to Know (91a) Jersey Barrier.
Frustrated by my inability to get the facts on the legal details of reps’ gmails, I’ve taken a few Plan B detours along the way. When I say “Gmails,” let it be known that I mean all emails used by members of the legislature that don’t end in “leg.state.nh.us” due to my keystroke laziness.
Rumor: Local Police Chief’s Policy Is to Prevent Officers From Enforcing Federal Immigration Laws or Detainer Requests!
SB 563, a ban on sanctuary cities, predictably advanced in a 14-10 roll call last week to Senate Finance, but not without the expected drama in the chamber. You can click here and skip to 4:56:20 for almost a whole hour of debate, but you already know the outcome.
I TRIPLE DOG Dare You!
A Christmas Story is a well known movie in my family. While it very much annoys my mother that anyone would watch the same movie more than once, my father and my sisters and I know it by heart. Readers might ask why I would think about such a movie in March and my answer is that Ed Mosca made me do it.
Even More Thoughts on Reps’ Private Email Accounts
With the Right To Know Tax, aka HB 1002, awaiting its big day in the House, many readers have already seen my first piece on private email addresses being used by members of the legislature for public business and my follow-up piece. As a result, there has been some discussion, which I’m pleased to say has been thoughtful and civil so far.
Night Cap: Private Emails of State Reps and 91A, Is the Jury Still Out?
Considering that the RTK Tax, aka HB 1002, still needs to go to the whole House, it’s not yet dead, but in hospice care. I expect Rep Kuttab and Judge Lynn to perform CPR on it from the Reps Hall mic with the same fervor that an ambulance crew responds to a 911 call. It’s just a question of who drives and who tends the patient bedside.
NH House, Selectively Reactionary?
I just read today’s “Judy Aron Report,” which is a great thing to do the day after the House meets. One of many reasons to encourage others to do the same is that she captures most of the items of great public interest.
NH Legislators Who Use Private Emails for ‘Public Business’ … and The Right to Know Law
Remember Daniel Richard’s first State Supreme Court litigation? He sued the legislature pro se and humiliated Attorneys James Cianci (House Counsel) and Richard Lehmann (Senate Counsel) during oral arguments. As part of the overflow crowd, I watched it livestream in the legal library and must say that Attorney Lehmann did a better job of saving face than Attorney Cianci.
What if State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan Were Under a Second “Oath”?
I just finished reading yesterday’s article on OATHS administered to those testifying at committee hearings. Kudos to Reps Leah Cushman and Sandra Panek. And shame on swamp rat Lucy Weber, an attorney, mind you, who objected. This reminded me of the OTHER oath, the one that doctors take, you know, the one to do no harm.
Is There a Law Against CUI in New Hampshire? (Canoeing Under the Influence)
While visiting WMUR, I clicked on this (Two children hospitalized after canoe overturns; father charged with DWI). I’m familiar with the Winnipesaukee River. I’ve paddled many parts of it, many times, and at many levels. I’ve done it on New Year’s Day and countless other times in 32-degree water.
City Hall has an Opportunity to “Come About.”
I am using the nautical term “come about” because Alderman Dowd, the 2023 Secret Keeper of the Year, is a Navy veteran and has repeatedly reminded the voters that he’s a submarine expert.
Voter’s Regrets, the Sequel
Though this article is designed for the Ward 2 voter/reader, Alderman Dowd’s chairmanship is ultimately a citywide product. Alderman Wilshire was given the gavel by the body of 15. That’s nine wards with one alderman apiece plus six members elected at large. Keep in mind that there was an opportunity to remove some of those 6 in addition to the mayor.
Night Cap: Accountability, Transparency and Executive Council Dynamics
From a front-row seat on January 31, I observed two well-known lawyers sparring in the executive council chamber. It was Warmington and Formella, and the heated dialogue begins at 1h21 min in this video.
His Excellency’s Long Term Plans … Don’t Be Thinking CNN or MSNBC.
Being the small world that it is, I often run into familiar people on “our side” at Market Basket, and today’s encounter person was former Nashua GOP chair Chris Buda. I asked him if he read my latest piece on Chuck Morse, and he said no and followed up with “I’m sure it’s not flattering.”