News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
New Hampshire’s unique state tax structure is hard to understand, especially for people who don’t own a business. More than a third (36%) of the state General Fund and Education Trust Fund revenue comes from business taxes. The vast majority of that comes from the Business Profits Tax (BPT), but the lesser-known Business Enterprise Tax … Read more
In the years before 1763, the British Empire—although in theory a unified entity—was really a federation. The central government in London controlled foreign affairs and the imperial post office. It also regulated trade with foreign countries and among units of the empire. But otherwise, the 13 future American states were largely self-governing. In each, the … Read more
Nashua residents deserve a budget process grounded in accuracy, transparency, and accountability. Yet the FY2027 Budget Book, distributed publicly and posted on the city website, contains significant omissions and inconsistencies that materially distort the city’s financial picture. Whether these errors stem from oversight or mismanagement, the impact is the same: taxpayers are being presented with … Read more
The Vermont Senate Republicans dropped a post earlier this week outlining just how out of control state spending is and has been for a long time. Though they cite a figure for FY27 spending of $9.1 billion (projected) and a 1.6 percent year-over-year increase, where I see a $9.34 billion number coming out of the … Read more
Remember AI “Actress” Tilly Norwood? Her creators were marketing her to talent agencies to book her work. She sings, dances, is cute as a button, and has an English accent. I did a morning update on her and the surrounding outrage, and while I can’t say if she’s gotten any new work, her existence has … Read more
I am responsible for a flurry of recent content on wealth taxes. Rich Democrats like to play class warfare games, using emotion, envy, not of them, but of the other rich people. It’s an easy move, though not typically as effective in America, but it has found more traction on the left thanks to years … Read more
Washington has a choice this tax season: build on policies that are already driving business investment and wage growth or return to the uncertainty that has long held employers back. As millions of Americans finalize their tax returns, the real-world impact of recent pro-growth tax reforms is coming into focus and so is the risk … Read more
Ken Lund The Green Mountain State is a textbook case of how progressives employ social justice causes to drain the wallets and dreams of citizens. A growing populist backlash against a land use scheme that will steal wealth from property owners without any compensation is just the tip of the Marxist iceberg that is sinking the once-Republican … Read more
The Vermont State House recently hosted “Manufacturing Day” to highlight the successes and concerns of a key – and it turns out declining – sector of our economy. Amy Spear of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce kicked off testimony before the Economic Development Committees, “Manufacturing employment in Vermont has declined 11.3% since 2020. And Vermont … Read more
…For high taxes, low affordability Democrats are pointing the finger at Vermont Governor Phil Scott for the state’s climbing tax, housing, health care and affordability problems. At a recent press conference, he said the Legislature’s majority party should look at the three fingers pointed right back at them. In an exchange with Vermont Public reporter … Read more
You can’t escape death, but avoiding taxes is something human beings do instinctively, especially those who insist that paying them is some sort of patriotic duty. Personally, I go to great lengths to ensure that I have reported all my income. Not doing this makes you a natural target for certain political factions who are … Read more
Today, on the Morning Update, another nail in the Dems’ so-called affordability narrative coffin. The culprit. Democrats, blue states, and how they can’t help being the crooks that they are. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Ep. 142 links Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may … Read more
This week, on Right Side Up, Alison and Mike discuss this week’s tax legislation, the Senate’s healthcare legislation, and S.325. Listen on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or … Read more
This week, on Right Side Up, Alison and I discuss more of the active legislation in Montpelier incluindg more on land use, education reform, and H.933 – a whole lot of taxes. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not … Read more
I take umbrage with the idea of taxes as an investment. Given the opportunity, even the two-faced Dems spouting nonsense about our patriotic duty to let the government rob us would put their money into something else. Even just your own pocket is likely to produce better results in both the short and long term … Read more
Today, on the Morning update, the topic is ED. Educational Dysfunction. And how, no matter how much money we throw at it, it can’t seem to get it (academic achievement). Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Ep. 136 Links: Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may … Read more
This is making the rounds because it’s classic left-wing memory-holing. New York has been in trouble for a while. The state and the City. I was born in New England but grew up in Upstate New York, which is everything north of ‘The City.’ Finger Lakes region. The boonies to the burroughs, though not so … Read more
Today, on the Morning Update, the left says “affordability” but then raises or expands taxes, regulations, and fees, and those two things are so very incompatible. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Ep. 123 Links: Check Out More Morning Update Here! – Also available on Rumble, Instagram/Reels, and … Read more
Stop Giving It More Money! As Vermonters gear up for Town Meeting Day and prepare to vote on the local school budgets that will determine our statewide property tax bill, please consider that the post-Act 60 public school system we have created is destroying our state. It has become a money-sucking vortex of incompetence eating … Read more
So we saw this a few days ago: Intrigued, we read the linked article. According to the bill (House Bill 1815)’s sponsor, Bob Lynn, HB 1815 is a repudiation of the ConVal decision: “I think basically what it says is, ‘You, court, got it wrong. You didn’t give us the proper role that we have. You … Read more