NH State Senate

Smith: Who Is Kimberly Conway Hester?

Rev Kimberly Conway Hester had gone dormant in my mind for the past few years until today!  More on today in a moment, but I will start with a secular answer to the titled question, asking who she is.  Hester is a masker and was featured on WMUR in August 2021, pushing for Mask Madness … Read more

NH state house dome

Smith: Don’t Let 2026 Be “2018 v.2.0”

Mr Sylvia said, “The Senate is a place where good House bills go to die.” GM Hopf said, “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” A Granite Stater in a red community said, “Sadly, Republicans have been their own worst enemy … Read more

Smith: Regina Birdsell Works For Us, Please Remind Her

Many readers already know, but if you’re late for dinner, I’ll tell you now.  HB361 was on the Senate Consent Calendar and should have been a smooth sail through the body yesterday, but Regina the Masker had to put a monkey wrench into the process.  This is NOT the first time she has killed or … Read more

Vikram Mansharamani

Smith: Vikram 2028, Seriously?!

In his 11/19/21 speech to an angry crowd following that famous unfortunate Chuck Morse vote, Senator Giuda, who voted correctly, said, “money is the mother’s milk” (of campaigns).  We know that there are “haves” and “have-nots,” but it’s not just that dichotomy, I would say it’s more like a Punnett Square because there are those … Read more

Hollis dunkin donuts

Smith: Hollis Dunkin Donuts

Hollis Dunkin Donuts is unlike other locations in many ways.  It’s in a repurposed building multiple times its age, it doesn’t have the usual bright orange and pink signs and it doesn’t have a drive-thru despite it being a former site of a bank with one. While I can’t speak intelligently to the finer details … Read more

Tara Reardon and mrs Soprano

Smith: Call Tara Reardon “Mrs Soprano”

Let’s get the “say something nice” part out of the way before the attack.  I met Community Loan Fund lobbyist Tara Reardon on 2/15/23 after a Senate Executive Departments committee hearing for a trailer park bill.  She supported what I said into the mic and followed me out into the hall and introduced herself when … Read more

papers report or manifesto on a desk

Smith: Unbundling The Sorens Manifesto

Zoning is an institution often misunderstood by many, myself included, so let’s delve into a 22-page treatise written by the founder of the Free State Project.  To use Ray Guarino’s favorite word, ACRIMONIOUS, as many recent discussions, both online and in person, have been just that, so it’s important to say that I mean zero … Read more

Denise Riccardi

Smith: Senator Denise Ricciardi Is Recognized

If you watch enough hours of the Senate, it’s routine to hear Queen Sharon say, “Senator So and So is recognized for…”  You can fill in the blank with a comment, a question, a parliamentary inquiry, and a few other things.  Both sides of the aisle have talkers.  I call them motormouths when it’s Watters, … Read more

Stop Lying About Zoning

Let’s first briefly mention the Underwood book, Stop Lying About ESAs, after which I named this article. I encourage everyone to read it, not only because of the controversy and misunderstandings involved regarding EFAs, but also because the polarization and vitriol present among everyone who’s not a Democrat are very similar.   One institution controversy (EFAs) … Read more

Nurse stethoscope heart

Not Teachers,…Nurses!

While I already wrote something about this year’s Nurses Week, our new governor has motivated me to do a follow up piece as she seemingly decided to snub these servants of mankind that went from heroes to zeroes during the Damn Emperor’s Reign of Terror.  You’ve heard me say it, time and again, ad nauseam.  … Read more

NH state house dome

Enemies of 91A; Who Took A Walk And When

Having shared my recent article with an “apoplectic” constituent of one of the reps that “took a walk” on SB284, I was asked if this particular rep abstained from any other housing bill roll calls.  That communication inspired me to look at ALL the votes this rep abstained from.  Having done that with the goal … Read more

calendar

Start Planning For A Year From Now

It’s not too early to start talking about building slates for next year’s primary, no matter what side of any particular issue you are on.  I’ll get into issues in a moment, but I want to start by reviewing a few points to build on, especially seeing that the current hot issues involve building.  While … Read more

Empty Chair allec-gomes-9xpnmt41NKM-unsplash

SB 284 Roll Call Non-Participants

Regardless of what side of SB284 you’re on, let’s look at some numbers. It would be interesting to analyze all the Yes votes and all the No votes, not so much by party lines, but how rural or urban their districts are, because the supply and demand of parking is mostly an urban issue, and … Read more

digigng a tunnell

A Deeper Dig Into Housing Bills

My recent article on Housing Bill Madness was published while Nurse Terese and Keith Hanson had Senator Murphy and a few other guests on the air for a ‘polite’ discussion.  When time was up, it was definitely a “to be continued” situation, though both chambers are set to meet today.  That means some of what … Read more

Melanie Leveque

Don’t Forget Melanie’s Birthday

May 20 is just an ordinary day for most people, but not for Ms Melanie Levesque.  It’s her birthday and I’m giving everyone early notice so they can plan ahead just like I have.  No, I am not giving her a brand new pair of roller skates or a brand new key.  I have something … Read more

State Senator Mark McConkey in a plaid shirt

RINO Needs To Be Primaried

While State Senator Mark McConkey is guilty of fiscal assault on motorists living or working in the most populated parts of the state.  He has tried to raise the tolls (Is Councilor Prescott his role model?).  Yes, he might feel safe at election time in his district, because most of his constituents have no use … Read more

guy with beer pitcher and beer on his face

A Commoner’s View On Housing Bill Madness

Let’s be clear.  This isn’t about preventing a family from converting their garage into a studio apartment for Granny so she doesn’t have to spend the rest of her life in assisted living or any other commonly used argument to gaslight people sounding the alarm on potential loss of local control.  A few other scenarios … Read more

Nurses Week 2025 Starts In 10 Days

Nurses Week 2025 is almost here, and time sure does fly!  It seems like it was just yesterday, but it was actually 5/7/22, when I shouted “happy Nurses Day” at the Damn Emperor’s motorcade from the sidewalk because His Excellency could hear me while riding shotgun and stuck at a stop sign during Goffstown Old … Read more

Masking kids is child abuse sign

All The Heather Raymonds Are The Reason We Need HB 361

Ward 1 Rep Heather Raymond is a tyrant.  I’ve mentioned her before a few times and was searching for the link to embed those articles when I stumbled upon a treasure trove of a rap sheet on her.  Superior contributors, like Ann Marie Banfield, Howard Coffman, and others, have had her on the radar for … Read more

Spotlight of Positivity: Meagan Rose

There is a somewhat complex backstory to this article, and Meagan is not aware that I am writing it.  I surmise that she would reject the idea of being the center of attention, as it’s clear to me that she’s a quiet, humble woman.  I use the word QUIET to describe Meagan, the EC staffer, … Read more

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