Charlie Arlinghaus February 6, 2013 As originally published in the New Hampshire Union Leader As the governor and legislature struggle to put together a balanced budget, regulators are consider two budget dangers: helping the federal government regulate the new federal health law (the health care exchange) and a costly expansion of Medicaid. Lawmakers should move […]
00Charles M. Arlinghaushttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngCharles M. Arlinghaus2013-02-07 15:50:552018-08-28 19:05:20State Should Beware of the Certainty of Federal Broken Promises
There is a common misconception that the state has not studied this idea recently; however two lengthy studies have been completed in the past six years. One was done in 2007 by the Passenger Rail Taskforce looked at service to Manchester and the other in 2010 by TranSystems for the NH Rail Authority, NHDOT and the Nashua Rail Planning Commission which looked at the entire corridor to Concord. While neither study recommends for or against introducing commuter rail, they provide a wealth of information as to how much the route would cost.
From the studies it is clear that constructing the route in its entirety to Concord would cost roughly $300 million and require subsidies of $11 million a year to operate.
00Joshua Elliott-Traficantehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngJoshua Elliott-Traficante2013-02-05 12:11:302018-08-28 19:05:28Q&A: Commuter Rail in New Hampshire
As we do every month, we take a closer look at the monthly jobs report, released the first Friday of the month. January saw the national unemployment rate increase from 7.8% to 7.9%. Looking into the data, there are few signs of growth. In short, much like December, January saw the labor market remain in neutral.
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.png00Joshua Elliott-Traficantehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngJoshua Elliott-Traficante2013-02-01 16:55:332018-08-28 19:05:35A Look at the January Jobs Report
Much has been made in the past few years over the dysfunction of Illinois’ finances and the legislature’s inability to get the state’s fiscal house in order; however, rating agencies are taking a closer look at another factor that weighs heavily on state finances: pensions.
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.png00Joshua Elliott-Traficantehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngJoshua Elliott-Traficante2013-01-31 15:07:472018-08-28 05:59:55IL Bond Rating Downgrade over Pensions should be a Warning to New Hampshire
Educational opportunity is something we all want for our children but is under threat in New Hampshire in 2013. While the wealthy can choose among many options to find the best fit for their children, two small programs that increase options for poor people in New Hampshire are both under attack. If opponents succeed in killing the state’s modest charter school program and the school choice scholarship program, educational opportunity will still be a reality for rich people but not for poorer members of the Granite State.
00Charles M. Arlinghaushttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngCharles M. Arlinghaus2013-01-31 11:46:222018-08-28 06:19:08Educational Opportunity Under Attack on Many Fronts
According to the foreclosure tracking firm RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings in New Hampshire fell again in December, marking the third straight month of decreases. Statewide, 405 houses received a foreclosure filing, compared to 578 in November and 739 in October. There are currently 3703 foreclosure properties in the state.
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.png00Joshua Elliott-Traficantehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngJoshua Elliott-Traficante2013-01-30 10:16:272018-08-28 19:05:44Foreclosure Filings Continue to Drop
New Hampshire’s budget battles are always about revenue, and this year is no exception. Revenue estimates drive spending and make some decisions possible, others impossible. This year’s estimates will determine the path the budget takes.
00Charles M. Arlinghaushttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngCharles M. Arlinghaus2013-01-24 17:00:102018-08-28 19:05:51The next state budget fight will be over revenue estimates
According to the New Hampshire Employment Security, December’s unemployment rate for the state was 5.7%, a .1 percentage point increase over last month. This upturn translates to 430 additional unemployed workers. There were 7368 initial claimants over the month with 45,784 continued claimants.
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.png00Joshua Elliott-Traficantehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngJoshua Elliott-Traficante2013-01-17 16:58:292018-08-28 19:05:57A Look at NH’s December Jobs Report and 2012 in Review
Every two years in New Hampshire we have a budget crisis. Some crises are worse than others but no budget seems to be easy. This year, a new governor has been welcomes to office with problems that demand she take action long before the official budget is even adopted. She has no choice but to take immediate executive action to cut the existing budget just winding down and then put on hold any new or increased spending for another two years.
00Charles M. Arlinghaushttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngCharles M. Arlinghaus2013-01-17 13:24:502018-08-28 19:06:05The Governor Must Cut Spending Before She Delivers Budget
A proposed hike on the Beer Tax hike would push New Hampshire’s rate to nearly four times that of Massachusetts. The state Beer Tax is currently assessed on brewers at $0.30 per gallon sold, with the cost passed on to consumers. HB 168, introduced by Reps Charles Weed and Richard Eaton, would increase the beer tax by $0.10 per gallon, putting the tax at $0.40 per gallon.
https://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.png00Joshua Elliott-Traficantehttps://jbartlett.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_white_v1_360x70.pngJoshua Elliott-Traficante2013-01-16 20:28:152018-08-28 05:59:55Bill Would Make NH Beer Tax Nearly Quadruple the MA Rate
State Should Beware of the Certainty of Federal Broken Promises
BUDGETCharlie Arlinghaus February 6, 2013 As originally published in the New Hampshire Union Leader As the governor and legislature struggle to put together a balanced budget, regulators are consider two budget dangers: helping the federal government regulate the new federal health law (the health care exchange) and a costly expansion of Medicaid. Lawmakers should move […]
Q&A: Commuter Rail in New Hampshire
TRANSPORTATIONThere is a common misconception that the state has not studied this idea recently; however two lengthy studies have been completed in the past six years. One was done in 2007 by the Passenger Rail Taskforce looked at service to Manchester and the other in 2010 by TranSystems for the NH Rail Authority, NHDOT and the Nashua Rail Planning Commission which looked at the entire corridor to Concord. While neither study recommends for or against introducing commuter rail, they provide a wealth of information as to how much the route would cost.
From the studies it is clear that constructing the route in its entirety to Concord would cost roughly $300 million and require subsidies of $11 million a year to operate.
A Look at the January Jobs Report
BETTER GOVERNMENTAs we do every month, we take a closer look at the monthly jobs report, released the first Friday of the month. January saw the national unemployment rate increase from 7.8% to 7.9%. Looking into the data, there are few signs of growth. In short, much like December, January saw the labor market remain in neutral.
IL Bond Rating Downgrade over Pensions should be a Warning to New Hampshire
BUDGETMuch has been made in the past few years over the dysfunction of Illinois’ finances and the legislature’s inability to get the state’s fiscal house in order; however, rating agencies are taking a closer look at another factor that weighs heavily on state finances: pensions.
Educational Opportunity Under Attack on Many Fronts
EDUCATIONEducational opportunity is something we all want for our children but is under threat in New Hampshire in 2013. While the wealthy can choose among many options to find the best fit for their children, two small programs that increase options for poor people in New Hampshire are both under attack. If opponents succeed in killing the state’s modest charter school program and the school choice scholarship program, educational opportunity will still be a reality for rich people but not for poorer members of the Granite State.
Foreclosure Filings Continue to Drop
BETTER GOVERNMENTAccording to the foreclosure tracking firm RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings in New Hampshire fell again in December, marking the third straight month of decreases. Statewide, 405 houses received a foreclosure filing, compared to 578 in November and 739 in October. There are currently 3703 foreclosure properties in the state.
The next state budget fight will be over revenue estimates
BUDGETNew Hampshire’s budget battles are always about revenue, and this year is no exception. Revenue estimates drive spending and make some decisions possible, others impossible. This year’s estimates will determine the path the budget takes.
A Look at NH’s December Jobs Report and 2012 in Review
BETTER GOVERNMENTAccording to the New Hampshire Employment Security, December’s unemployment rate for the state was 5.7%, a .1 percentage point increase over last month. This upturn translates to 430 additional unemployed workers. There were 7368 initial claimants over the month with 45,784 continued claimants.
The Governor Must Cut Spending Before She Delivers Budget
BUDGETEvery two years in New Hampshire we have a budget crisis. Some crises are worse than others but no budget seems to be easy. This year, a new governor has been welcomes to office with problems that demand she take action long before the official budget is even adopted. She has no choice but to take immediate executive action to cut the existing budget just winding down and then put on hold any new or increased spending for another two years.
Bill Would Make NH Beer Tax Nearly Quadruple the MA Rate
BUDGETA proposed hike on the Beer Tax hike would push New Hampshire’s rate to nearly four times that of Massachusetts. The state Beer Tax is currently assessed on brewers at $0.30 per gallon sold, with the cost passed on to consumers. HB 168, introduced by Reps Charles Weed and Richard Eaton, would increase the beer tax by $0.10 per gallon, putting the tax at $0.40 per gallon.