Political campaigns bring out the worst in the otherwise mild-mannered policymaker.I experienced the pull of the polls many times when I was a public servant representing New Hampshire, and I can clearly see the influence of the campaign season and…

The federal budget deficit is like the weather: Everyone complains about it, but no one does anything about it. Each party blames the other for our current fiscal situation. Detailed plans are few.Over the past 50 years, only two presidents…

If you study the lessons of "Schoolhouse Rock," as I strongly recommend we all do, you will surely remember how a bill becomes a law. Submission, hearings, amendments, back and forth between the chambers, and signed or vetoed by the…

There has been much said about the Republicans' effort to repeal Senate Bill 500, the new law that gives every inmate a period on parole with supervision and help in rejoining society. Repeal is a bad idea. Here's why:I spent…

In New Hampshire, manufacturing brings in four times as much revenue as tourism. Since 2003, manufacturing has grown almost three times faster than the state's economy as a whole.Surprised? How could this be when national trends point to the declining…

John Stephen is telling a big lie about the new parole law, Senate Bill 500, in his race to become governor.SB 500 makes sure all inmates leave prison with a parole officer to watch them. In a recent press release,…

In the midst of ongoing political debate over deficits, shortfalls and fiscal management, one important truth about New Hampshire's fiscal state of affairs is impossible to obscure. We're a mess, and it's getting worse, not better.The governor and his opponent…

According to the John Stephen for Governor Web site, "state spending has spiraled out of control - up 24 percent in the last two budgets."Governor Lynch's Web site counters, "the average two-year general fund spending increase under Gov. Lynch has…

Editor's note: The following are the remarks delivered by 5th District Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli at the conclusion of the removal hearing of Liquor Commissioner Mark Bodi. The hearing resulted in Bodi's reinstatement to the commission, although he was reprimanded…

A man sues a doctor for failure to diagnose cancer. His trial is canceled this month and continued to June. He will not likely be alive then.A widow seeks return of money for a siding job that never happened.Businesses and…

After much (self-generated) fanfare, a group of New Hampshire lawyers led by attorney Chuck Douglas of Concord last week filed a class action in the Merrimack Superior Court alleging that the recent cuts in the budget of the judiciary are…

As campaign season gets into full stride, the economic issues facing our nation and our state are on everyone's mind. One way New Hampshire can help alleviate the pains of an ailing economy is with a paid sick leave policy.For…

China has now overtaken Japan as the world’s second-largest economic power. The news came with the inevitability we have come to expect, given their record of 10 percent annual growth. This rise from poverty has never been equaled in world…