News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
It is now VERY important to contact the Governor and tell her that 1,106 people on our petition hope that she will VETO HB 577, as it would eradicate and outlaw single-family neighborhoods just like they did in California. And we all know what a disaster that was! You can call and leave a polite … Read more
In England, if you want to start a fight in a bar (or a Pub), say something nasty about the monarchy or the nearest football team. In New Hampshire, it’s housing and zoning. We’ve offered our pages to both sides with a few takers because it’s a complex issue, and there are a lot of … Read more
No, I’m not talking about the governor of California; my article is about the possibly only tool left in dealing with the madness of so many housing bills. If they materialize, it won’t be the local government, but the state (which could have a blue government at any time in the future) that must be … Read more
After years of making little progress on housing affordability, the Legislature finally is moving forward in large strides. As significant reforms near the finish line, a surge of advocacy has emerged for an old, failed method of addressing the state’s housing shortage: government subsidies. New Hampshire’s primary method of addressing housing affordability has long been … Read more
As Housing bills designed to chisel away at local decision making continue to and through their 2nd chamber of the legislature, my thoughts have returned to the skilled salesman’s mantra. Know your customer. Housing bill madness is a product presented as a solution to an imaginary crisis that’s been sold to its supporters, who range … Read more
Where’s The Liberty In That? If you want to start a fight online in the Granite State, and probably your state too, pick a side on the so-called housing-crisis debate. It might be worse than mentioning abortion at whatever passes for your watercooler. Numerous factors have made housing expensive. Some say there is an inventory … Read more
Julie Smith recently wrote a piece for Granite Grok about my white paper for AIER entitled “Unbundling Zoning.” She badly misinterpreted the paper, made false accusations, and even got the main thesis exactly backwards. Here’s the proof. Smith: “Sorens calls zoning useless, unjust, and irrational and explains why.” FALSE. These are the claims I’m responding … Read more
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
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
If asked about some issue, “Should the Towns decide or should the State decide?” many people would answer that the Towns should decide. But for many issues that is the wrong question. The right question is “Should the Towns decide or should individuals decide for themselves?” Should Towns decide what firearms you might possess? NO! … Read more
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
On April 16, 2024, the UL published an op-ed by Rep. Len Turcotte of Strafford County. It has never been more applicable than it is today, with dozens of bills proposed by those attempting to remove local control of zoning with ‘death by a thousand cuts’. Turcotte compared this to Chairman Mao Zedong’s attempt to … Read more
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
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
Bad zoning bills persist in the State Legislature after crossover, and we must stop them. I also didn’t have time to do a new show this week (divine intervention?), so it’s an excellent time to revisit this. Len Turcotte was on Granite State Live this week. I had a similar conversation with Len in March … Read more
It was my understanding that the formerly pending asphalt plant site at 145 Temple Street Nashua was in “mixed use” zoning, which could/would have been their argument had they not withdrawn their litigation against the City. I haven’t been paying attention to this matter since the last city election came and went, and they apparently … Read more
A battle is brewing. It has been brewing for years, or even decades. It is a battle over property rights and it may not be what you think it is. It isn’t a battle between the State and the Towns. It is a battle between Towns and property owners. The NH Constitution states, “All men … Read more
Expanding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) I personally believe strongly in private property rights, I live on 34 acres with the closest house ¼ mile away for a reason, love my privacy. However, I do NOT believe politicians and bureaucrats should use central-planning and state mandates to remove the property rights of the many for the … Read more
In many areas of New Hampshire it is literally illegal for shop owners, employees and customers to live in an apartment above or next to a business. Yet places that do allow such mixed uses are among the most vibrant and desired areas in the state, for both businesses and residents. As state and local … Read more
New Hampshire’s housing shortage, and the price spike that it created, has made housing the No. 1 problem facing the state, according to University of New Hampshire polling. Fixing the state’s housing shortage is such a priority for voters that a 2024 UNH poll found more than 1/3 of voters rating it as the top problem, … Read more