New Hampshire
Indicted judge: N.H. Supreme Court chief justice said meeting with governor seemed appropriate – The Boston Globe
CONCORD, N.H. — An associate justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court who was indicted last week over a conversation she had with Governor Christopher T. Sununu said in a court filing Wednesday that the chief justice told her in advance it would be acceptable for her to meet with Sununu.
Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi is facing felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly telling Sununu on or about June 6 that an investigation by the attorney general’s office into her husband was meritless and needed to wrap up quickly because she had recused herself from important pending cases.
Hantz Marconi, 68, said she communicated with Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald ahead of time about her desire to request a meeting with Sununu, and MacDonald signaled doing so seemed appropriate.
“I think you can do that,” MacDonald said, according to Hantz Marconi’s recollection relayed in her court filing. “You are a constituent and have concerns.”
Hantz Marconi called on MacDonald to recuse himself from a disciplinary proceeding against her, saying he would clearly be a witness in her criminal case based on their prior conversation.
The office that oversees attorney disciplinary matters advised the Supreme Court on Monday to suspend Hantz Marconi’s license to practice law immediately, and she responded Wednesday by voluntarily accepting the suspension while continuing to deny the charges.
“She maintains her innocence,” attorneys Richard Guerriero and Oliver Bloom wrote in her response. “Nonetheless, she recognizes that a temporary suspension of her right to practice law is appropriate during her administrative leave while the criminal case is pending.”
Without addressing the particulars of Hantz Marconi’s motion, MacDonald and the other three justices — Senior Associate Justice James P. Bassett, Associate Justice Patrick E. Donovan, and Associate Justice Melissa B. Countway — all recused themselves Wednesday, citing their desire to avoid adjudicating the conduct of a current colleague.
“Our recusal is conditioned upon the availability of substitute justices to participate in this case,” they noted. “In the event that substitute justices are not available, the ‘rule of necessity’ may compel our participation.”
Under the relevant state law, the chief justice or senior associate justice may assign a retired judge to fill a vacancy temporarily. If a retired Supreme Court justice is unavailable, they can assign a retired Superior Court judge. If that’s not possible, they can appoint a current Superior Court judge. If there is still no one available, they can select from the current district and probate court judges.
It was not immediately clear who might be on the clerk’s list of judges willing to serve temporarily as Supreme Court justices.
Spokespeople for the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the New Hampshire Department of Justice declined to comment on Hantz Marconi’s filing.
Geno J. Marconi, Hantz Marconi’s husband, was indicted Thursday by a grand jury on felony witness tampering and other charges. Marconi is the director of the New Hampshire Port Authority.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
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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