New Hampshire attracts residents with its high quality of life and exceptional level of economic opportunity. Though located in remote northern New England, the state has posted population and economic growth rates superior to its Canada-bordering neighbors, both of whom are in serious danger of slipping into population decline this decade. The biggest constraint on New […]
With inflation at a 40-year high and March approaching the highest one-month gas price increase on record, this would be a strange moment for legislators to purposefully inflate public works costs for taxpayers. But that could happen, started by a Senate vote this week. Senate Bill 438 would raise costs on New Hampshire taxpayers for […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1314480041-scaled.jpg17072560Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-03-28 22:18:192022-03-28 22:24:36Requiring U.S. steel in N.H. public projects would hurt taxpayers and workers
Until last week, it was legal to for small New Hampshire farms to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk, cream, cheese, butter, yogurt and kefir directly to consumers. But anyone stopping at a local farm and hoping for raw milk ice cream was out of luck. That product was illegal. Legislators discovered this omission in 2019 when […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1259000875-scaled.jpg19202560Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-03-22 11:11:372022-03-22 11:11:37Policy lessons in a scoop of raw goat’s milk ice cream
Rising gas prices have prompted calls for a state gas tax holiday. Though a gas tax holiday would provide some immediate relief from high prices, the cost would have to be paid later, possibly through higher taxes or deteriorating road conditions. In New Hampshire, the gas tax is not a general tax. It’s a user […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/CashInGasTank_Fotor.jpg10441564Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-03-22 10:53:182022-03-22 10:53:18A gas tax holiday is just a holiday from reality
Republicans in the Legislature are pushing to lower New Hampshire’s Business Profits Tax by one tenth of one percentage point, from 7.6% to 7.5%. This tiny change would make New Hampshire’s rate the same as Connecticut’s. We would then be tied for the second-lowest top corporate tax rate in New England. (Rhode Island’s rate is […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_563060884-scaled.jpg17072560Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-03-14 17:14:312022-03-14 17:32:01The dumb fight over an 0.1% business tax cut
A commuter rail line from New Hampshire to Boston would need increasing taxpayer subsidies to serve a shrinking number of riders, recent data on transit ridership and commuting patterns suggest. Health concerns are not the only reason commuter rail ridership remains a fraction of its pre-pandemic levels. Work and commuting patterns have changed, leaving public […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1607004745.jpg53047952Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-03-14 00:00:282022-03-14 11:53:29Remote work makes commuter rail even less viable
Though rental housing is in tremendous demand statewide, its share of new building permits issued is shrinking. In 2020, single-family homes represented 59% of new building permits issued in the state, up from 50% the year before. It’s become harder to build multi-family housing in New Hampshire as opponents have become very effective at organizing […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1854684709-scaled.jpg13362560Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-03-08 17:57:532022-03-08 17:57:53Addressing three myths that block new apartment construction
In a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine, Gov. Chris Sununu has ordered all Russian booze removed from the shelves of New Hampshire’s state liquor stores. No more of Vlad’s vodka for you. When it comes to state-run liquor stores, the government has total control over not only the products, but the layout, location, design, staffing […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1826039711-scaled.jpg17072560Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-02-28 16:54:552022-02-28 16:54:55Government shapes your food and beverage options more than you might realize
The great P.J. O’Rourke vacated the premises last week. He should’ve whizzed through the pearly gates at the wheel of a red Italian sports car in excess of whatever Heaven’s speed limit is. (Is it really Heaven if it has speed limits?) But the glorious, glamorous exit was not to be. It was just a […]
New Hampshire’s severe housing shortage was decades in the making. Like a boa constrictor squeezing its prey, local governments gradually tightened zoning restrictions to the point that they began choking off the lifeblood of communities. A shrinking supply of new homes and apartments has contributed to the state’s slowing population growth rates and dwindling school […]
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1772742275-scaled.jpg17072560Andrew Clinehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngAndrew Cline2022-02-22 17:53:002022-02-22 17:53:00Housing is having a moment
Should N.H. pay people to move here?
BLOG, BUDGETNew Hampshire attracts residents with its high quality of life and exceptional level of economic opportunity. Though located in remote northern New England, the state has posted population and economic growth rates superior to its Canada-bordering neighbors, both of whom are in serious danger of slipping into population decline this decade. The biggest constraint on New […]
Requiring U.S. steel in N.H. public projects would hurt taxpayers and workers
BUDGET, FEATUREDWith inflation at a 40-year high and March approaching the highest one-month gas price increase on record, this would be a strange moment for legislators to purposefully inflate public works costs for taxpayers. But that could happen, started by a Senate vote this week. Senate Bill 438 would raise costs on New Hampshire taxpayers for […]
Policy lessons in a scoop of raw goat’s milk ice cream
BLOG, REGULATIONUntil last week, it was legal to for small New Hampshire farms to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk, cream, cheese, butter, yogurt and kefir directly to consumers. But anyone stopping at a local farm and hoping for raw milk ice cream was out of luck. That product was illegal. Legislators discovered this omission in 2019 when […]
A gas tax holiday is just a holiday from reality
BLOG, FEATURED, TAXATION, TRANSPORTATION, UncategorizedRising gas prices have prompted calls for a state gas tax holiday. Though a gas tax holiday would provide some immediate relief from high prices, the cost would have to be paid later, possibly through higher taxes or deteriorating road conditions. In New Hampshire, the gas tax is not a general tax. It’s a user […]
The dumb fight over an 0.1% business tax cut
BLOG, FEATURED, TAXATIONRepublicans in the Legislature are pushing to lower New Hampshire’s Business Profits Tax by one tenth of one percentage point, from 7.6% to 7.5%. This tiny change would make New Hampshire’s rate the same as Connecticut’s. We would then be tied for the second-lowest top corporate tax rate in New England. (Rhode Island’s rate is […]
Remote work makes commuter rail even less viable
FEATURED, TRANSPORTATIONA commuter rail line from New Hampshire to Boston would need increasing taxpayer subsidies to serve a shrinking number of riders, recent data on transit ridership and commuting patterns suggest. Health concerns are not the only reason commuter rail ridership remains a fraction of its pre-pandemic levels. Work and commuting patterns have changed, leaving public […]
Addressing three myths that block new apartment construction
FEATURED, HOUSING, LOCAL GOVERNMENTThough rental housing is in tremendous demand statewide, its share of new building permits issued is shrinking. In 2020, single-family homes represented 59% of new building permits issued in the state, up from 50% the year before. It’s become harder to build multi-family housing in New Hampshire as opponents have become very effective at organizing […]
Government shapes your food and beverage options more than you might realize
BLOG, FEATURED, REGULATIONIn a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine, Gov. Chris Sununu has ordered all Russian booze removed from the shelves of New Hampshire’s state liquor stores. No more of Vlad’s vodka for you. When it comes to state-run liquor stores, the government has total control over not only the products, but the layout, location, design, staffing […]
Remembering P.J. O’Rourke
BLOGThe great P.J. O’Rourke vacated the premises last week. He should’ve whizzed through the pearly gates at the wheel of a red Italian sports car in excess of whatever Heaven’s speed limit is. (Is it really Heaven if it has speed limits?) But the glorious, glamorous exit was not to be. It was just a […]
Housing is having a moment
BLOGNew Hampshire’s severe housing shortage was decades in the making. Like a boa constrictor squeezing its prey, local governments gradually tightened zoning restrictions to the point that they began choking off the lifeblood of communities. A shrinking supply of new homes and apartments has contributed to the state’s slowing population growth rates and dwindling school […]