New Hampshire
New Hampshire GOP House candidates debate restoring trust in Congress
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Most of the Republican candidates hoping to challenge the Democratic incumbent in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District say they would rise above partisan bickering if they make it to Washington, but one says arguing is part of the job.
“It’s an adversarial process, just like in court,” attorney and Manchester Alderman Joseph Kelly Levasseur said Thursday. “There’d be a lot less fighting if the Democrats just listened to our common sense and did what the Republicans asked.”
Levasseur and four others competing in Tuesday’s GOP primary faced each other in a debate at New England College, where a panelist cited a poll in which nearly 90% of Americans said they believe Republicans and Democrats are more interested in fighting each other than solving problems. Aside from Levasseur, they said they would work to regain voters’ trust by staying positive and cooperating with colleagues.
Common understanding comes through trust and open communication, said Hollie Noveletsky, a business owner, nurse and former U.S. Army reservist.
“It’s also important to find like-minded people in Congress, not the ones that are standing in front of the camera asking for five minutes of fame, but the ones who are rolling up their sleeves every day and doing the hard work,” she said.
Business executive and Army veteran Chris Bright agreed, saying uniting the country is a top priority. Career politicians have eroded the public’s trust, he said.
“I was taught at West Point that you wear your rank not for personal gain but to advance mission of people,” he said. “So it’s about putting the needs of the country first. In the Arrmy, we call that selfless service.”
Congress gets nothing done because it’s full of extremists, said businessman Walter McFarlane.
“We need some moderates to help bridge the aisle,” he said. “It doesn’t mean we abandon the ideals we hold dear, but it does mean that we reach across the aisle.”
Former executive councilor and state Sen. Russell Prescott said he has attracted broad support, including from independent voters and Libertarians, in part due to his positive attitude.
“Two years ago in a debate, I said, ‘If we could just along, we could accomplish a lot,’” he said, decrying the negative infighting he recalled from his campaign for the same seat two years ago.
Prescott was one of 10 candidates who sought the GOP nomination in 2002. The winner was Karoline Leavitt, who lost to Democrat Chris Pappas, who has held the seat since 2018 and faces no significant challenge in his upcoming primary.
Max Abramson and Andy Martin also will be on the Republican ballot.
(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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