As the commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID), my regulatory philosophy is that intervention in the free market should only occur when well-defined, solid objectives can be obtained by such intervention, or when inherent monopoly structures prevent a free market competitive system from operating.
It isn’t always easy for service members to cast a ballot. Whether at sea — as I often was over my 13 years in the U.S. Navy — or permanently stationed halfway around the world, military members and their families don’t have the luxury of a quick walk or drive to their nearest polling place.
Back in 2018, a very New Hampshire moment happened: The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill affirming the rights of transgender people in the Granite State to be free from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation. Today, those values are being tested.
New Hampshire’s nursing homes are facing an unprecedented labor crisis that has been further exacerbated by the pandemic, and the supply of skilled workers is not keeping pace with demand.
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.
In my last column, I shared some anecdotes that help tell the story of the New Hampshire economy, but I would not make any important decisions based on the laments of my Lyft driver or rumors about remote working from skiers on the gondola at Loon. For data-crunching, we have people like Brian Gottlob, director of the state Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau.
When economic adversity collides with our business plan, our response to the cost issues must be prompt, and it must be right. We know that there are a multitude of costs related to our people.
U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Mike Braun recently championed a significant stride toward an inclusive and economically empowered future with the introduction of the Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act.
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?
While the discourse around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is facing challenges, the core needs of employees for respect, inclusion and maximization of organizational benefits remain constant.
A couple of weeks ago, the Chamber Collaborative of Portsmouth invited me to talk about the state economy during a forum that featured people who have a much firmer grasp on the data than I do.
Years ago, Air Force Lt. Jeffrey Meinholtz, who had been kicked out of the service solely because he was gay, appeared one morning on the “Today” show. Host Katie Couric asked him point blank, “Lieutenant, when did you realize you were gay?” Smiling, he replied, “When did you realize you were heterosexual?” I have never forgotten that moment.
The ongoing health care workforce shortage in New Hampshire is well documented, as are its many impacts on the overall system and access to care. It is also emerging as a serious cost driver. These upward pressures on health care costs are seen in several areas, including wage inflation, ability of providers to operate efficiently and costs of delayed care.
Now that the 2024 New Hampshire Primary is in the rear-view mirror, what can be said of it?
With winter upon us, the challenges associated with homelessness become exacerbated and life threatening for many. Cold, wet weather presents a next-level problem for many who have few options for housing, including an increasing number of young people.
How do we effectively and affordably build out the electric grid to handle the impending tidal wave of electrification?
The latest version of Captain Chris Pike is a true optimist. Even facing a terrible fate, he is able to stay strong.
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