NH fun in the summer
The Granite State abounds with free and inexpensive recreation and entertainment
Brad Cook
Brad Cook, a shareholder in the Manchester law firm of Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, heads its government relations and estate planning groups. He can be reached at bcook@sheehan.com.
Articles
Cook on Concord: NH’s housing conundrum
High prices, low inventory make it hard for even young professionals to find homes
You can’t make this stuff up
State and federal politics has been full of head-scratchers this summer
After the dust settles
‘Big beautiful bill’ and state budget present warning signs for all of us
‘Field Marshal’ David Souter was an extraordinary man
I had occasion several times later in our lives to correspond with Souter, and he always responded graciously and with great style.
Freedom of speech
The First Amendment in 1970, and now
An Easter story
A Lutheran church’s closing creates opportunity for a new ministry
Honoring Swope, Souter and Truncellito
These three New Hampshire leaders are outstanding examples of civics in action
Threatened cuts to the federal budget will affect us all
City Year, public radio and TV are at risk
Cash crunch
Self-inflicted wounds lead to budget and tax problems in NH and Washington
Rule of law vs. power
President Donald Trump provokes a fundamental battle about the future of our country.
A tale of two senators
While from different parties, Shaheen and Simpson will be remembered for their statesmanship
What’s going on at the Legislature
A sampling of pending bills, including housing reform and tax law
Lessons from American history
Past leaders were clear and unflinching about our national principles
Funding uncertain
New Hampshire charities and other nonprofit entities find themselves facing many new challenges as 2025 begins. There are a host of issues and examples.
Education’s a family business
Ed Shapiro, former president of New Hampshire College, now SNHU, built a lasting legacy
What did they expect?
Trump’s platform includes goals that might surprise his champions
Looking forward to 2025, and backward
At the end of 2024, with so many disturbed by the political events of the last year, and fearful of what is to come, comparing what we faced in the past may be in order.
Thanksgiving thoughts
Despite a tense election season, our state and nation have plenty to be thankful for
What just happened?
Trump wins in presidency, GOP pressured
Presidential election thoughts
A decision of enormous consequence — and a clear choice
Diversity is New Hampshire
First-in-the-nation snub ignores how political representation has changed in New Hampshire
Post-primary matters
The NH Ballot Law Commission addresses election concerns
No time for baseball
A primary, a presidential debate and a night with the bishop made for a busy Sept. 10.
Issues in this year’s election
Candidates are not addressing state and national fiscal woes
Two complaints and a tribute
Candidates insult each other rather than address issues; Ruth Griffin served NH well
Poised for a state primary
NH election landscape is coming into focus
A hero gets his wings
In Laconia, one of the best of the best turned 104 years old on June 30, and then died on July 7. John E. Gauthier was a special New Hampshire man and a proud American.
School’s out for ed leaders
In addition to all the changes and potential changes in governmental office holders due to retirements and newly filed candidacies after the filing period in June, New Hampshire’s higher education leadership has seen a number of changes on July 1, the beginning of most institutional fiscal years.
Steps in the right direction for legal help
One of the sad realities in the legal system is that it is expensive. Attorneys cost money, court procedures have become increasingly complex and confusing to the average person, and in many cases, it is those least able to afford it who become involved in legal proceedings.
A New Hampshire giant retires
State Sen. Lou D’Allesandro spent 30 years in the State House
Changing of the guard
For anyone who has been around New Hampshire politics for a while, it is interesting to think back on the leaders who have come on the scene, been active and influential while in office, and then left the stage.
Before voting for Trump …
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson and the drafters stated: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” That was in 1776. For the next almost 100 years, that assertion of philosophy was tested, to see whether it meant only white men from Protestant families.
Setting up the season
A total eclipse, a major April snowstorm and unexpected political retirements all contributed to an interesting early spring landscape in New Hampshire.
The federal budget mess
Before anyone gets too enthusiastic because Congress avoided yet another default in the federal budget and claims that somehow that was an indication that bipartisan action works, consider the facts.
Government weak by design
One of the themes woven through the government and politics days during the Leadership New Hampshire and Leadership Manchester programs is the unique nature of New Hampshire state government.
What are you reading now?
In the crazy and complex world we find ourselves inhabiting, it is sometimes valuable to block out the TV, internet and virtual world, and read a book.
New Hampshire needs to keep grooming new leaders
Leadership is an elusive concept. I have been teaching the government and politics sessions of Leadership New Hampshire and Leadership Manchester for about 35 years, and ask each session the following questions: How many people do you see in leadership positions who you don’t think are leaders? How many leaders do you see who are not in leadership positions? Why?
Loyalty to party or country?
Now that the 2024 New Hampshire Primary is in the rear-view mirror, what can be said of it?
Three great losses to NH
Late 2023 saw some significant losses to the state, with the passing of many prominent people who contributed greatly to the progress and fabric of New Hampshire. Three of them are worthy of note here.
