Political scientists point to New England town meetings as an example of direct democracy, where decisions are made by the people, instead of by mayors, aldermen, or representatives. The current political climate provides another reason to admire town meetings: the…

The Northern Pass Transmission project proposes to build a new transmission line that will bring up to 1,200 megawatts of hourly electricity and associated electric-generating capacity into New Hampshire and New England from Quebec. That is approximately equal to the…

The purpose of my visit with Joe Ford was to learn about his professional pursuits. He recently graduated from UNH with a degree in, of all things, zoology. The word itself makes me smile and reflect back on my tender…

What happens next after the Financial Resources Mortgage Inc. sentencings, hearings and reports?I think this question can be answered along two tracks: first, how does the state address the concerns of those who were truly harmed here, or the lenders…

In New Hampshire's quest to welcome business and job creation to our state, other states may be presenting us an opportunity on a silver platter.Last year Congress considered legislation to allow states to require "remote sellers" to collect another state's…

The faction now controlling the Republican Party and the New Hampshire House is driven by so-called "tea party" ideology. It is an ideology the founders of New Hampshire would have rejected.The settlers of New Hampshire were, for the most part,…

Ladies and Gentlemen: I had the pleasure of listening to Governor Lynch's speech at the April 20 Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce breakfast. I have always liked Governor Lynch and feel he has been a good balance in our system.…

A recent New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies report noted that the smart manufacturing and high technology sector is the single largest in New Hampshire's economy, accounting for 19 percent. In 2009 alone, the so-called SMHT sector encompassed 3,700…

The New Hampshire Nurses Association, which represents the interests of over 19,000 registered nurses in the state, registers its deep concerns about the state budget that has passed the New Hampshire House and is now being reviewed by the Senate.…

When most people think budgets, they think numbers. I think of the more than 7,000 people Manchester Community Health Center serves, representing some of the region's most vulnerable populations. Of our patients, 45 percent are uninsured. Another 35 percent are…

However you choose to describe its role, government does not work in isolation. The economic prosperity of our state and the well-being of our people hinges on the interconnected roles of all three sectors: business, government and the nonprofit sector.…

A good job with benefits. A nice house, with affordable property taxes. Good schools and colleges. Paved and plowed roads. Sturdy bridges. Functioning courts. Police and fire protection. Clean air and water. Parks and playgrounds, libraries and museums. Treatment, not…

New Hampshire's 60-plus population is expected to swell from 262,000 today to 419,000 in 2020 and to 504,000 by 2030. That has significant implications for the delivery of health care and for the public policies that help drive that care.…

Over 50 percent of high school graduates entering college end up dropping out. In addition, 50 percent or more of our students do best in schools of applied learning rather than purely academic schools. Somewhere over the years, applied learning,…

Housing accounts for more than 16 percent of our state's economy, making it a key driver in New Hampshire's economic rebound. But as our governor and legislators carry out the unenviable task of trying to balance our state books, they…

The following are excerpts from a letter sent by Frank J. Chaloupka, a professor of economics and public health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, to both Gov. John Lynch and Senate President Peter Bragdon. Dear Governor Lynch and…