New Hampshire: Nashua

In this issue:

Items 1 and 2: There is an intense debate underway in Concord over the issue of slot machines. The House has rejected two slot machine bills, but some of the ‘no’ votes were gambling supporters who were voting against poorly-drafted legislation. The real fight is in the State Senate. Opponents point to the social costs of expanded gambling. Proponents downplay those costs. But if there is no social cost to expanded gambling, why do the Senate bills limit slot machines to a few locations? If slot machines are a good way for the state to make money, why not have a slot machine casino in Concord and Manchester and Nashua and every other town in the state? The answer, of course, is that most people (and legislators) do understand the social costs of casinos and do not want one in their town.

A Democrat picking a Democrat - "shocking":
It would have been more shocking had Lynch not made his nomination of Republican Ayotte, of Nashua, to another four-year term as attorney general.

Lynch surely didn't need the outcry not just from GOP leaders from Coos County to the Atlantic Ocean, but also the echo of many law-enforcement executives.

Ayotte got the nomination Wednesday, but she learned of it nearly two weeks earlier before Lynch took a half-week vacation.

...This doesn't stop even prominent Democrats from muttering that too many Republicans get perks from this three-term chief executive.

"Sometimes, we think he's more kind to those in the other party than to those of us in his own,'' one declared - privately, of course.

First I've heard of Atkins; the rest have been mentioned before at least once:Raymond Buckley, chairman of the N.H. Democratic Party, said he has already spoken with half-a-dozen people interested in running for Hodes' seat in 2010.

Among the people Buckley said he could see campaigning for the 2nd District spot are Michael Atkins, a lawyer from Lyndeborough; State Rep. John DeJoie of Concord; Ann McLane Kuster, a lawyer from Hopkinton; N.H. Senate President Sylvia B. Larsen of Concord; Executive Councilor Debora B. Pignatelli of Nashua; and Katrina Swett, who ran for the same House seat in 2002 but lost in the general election.Two names not mentioned by Ray? Jay Buckey and Molly Kelly.

Every now and then -- not every day perhaps but every now and then there is a day at the State House in Concord that is simply fun.  You feel good about having participated in the process.  

Thursday was such a day.  Four bills were up for public hearing about LBGT equality.  Two would reduce our Civil Unions Law, and the other two provide full marriage equality and fighting discrimination based on gender identity.

The bills were in front of the House Judiciary Committee, chaired with the element of class by longtime Nashua Representative David Cote.  Dave's a Democrat, and a mighty good one.