New Hampshire: State Senate

During the past three days, I haven't been blogging much -- I've been focusing on communicating with House and Senate members about House Bill 436, and what needs to be done during the next three days.  I'm hopeful that by Wednesday we will have approved the additional statutory language that Governor John Lynch wants to make it clear that religious organizations and those connected with them have freedom and independence in our state law.

I have seen considerable dialogue, and numerous questions, on BlueHampshire.com during the past couple of days, and I've noticed some excellent responses by Kathy Sullivan, Dean Barker, and Brian Rater, as well as others.

Democratic State Senate candidate "Bathroom Bud" Martin tries to campaign his way out of toilet after reporter blows lid off series of stinky decisions while sitting on the Bench

Rather than answering for several questionable rulings while serving on the Bench, District 3 State Senate candidate Bud Martin's team has instead stooped to attacking those who dare recall his criminal-friendly ways that stand as part of the permanent record.

Responding to an inquiry by the editors at Now!Hampshire.com regarding a story I submitted to them for publication, campaign manager Joe Elcock did not challenge its substance in a statement to the online e-newspaper: 

“Bud Martin has a long and respected record throughout New Hampshire both as a judge and as an attorney,” said Elcock.

Here's an email we sent out earlier today to New Hampshire ratepayers about SB-152, the Mercury Reduction and Ratepayer Protection Act, which is being debated in the State Senate today:

Did you know that 20% of New Hampshire's carbon footprint comes from one place?

It does -- the Merrimack Station coal fired power plant in Bow. The plant is over 40 years old, and the cost to update it to keep up with modern pollution control technology is staggering. In 2006, the New Hampshire legislature authorized the building of a scrubber to reduce the high levels of toxic mercury that is released annually from its stacks - at a price tag of $250 million.

Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH) has established a political action committee for the senate district three special election.

Bradley has not publicly declared that he is running but establishing a PAC could show that Bradley intends to run.

The PAC, titled “Friends of Jeb Bradley for State Senate,” is chaired by Bradley and Republican activist Eugene Leone Jr. is the treasurer.

Democrat Bud Martin officially entered the race on Monday. Martin ran in 2008 but lost to Bill Denley, who resigned the seat after being charged with drunk driving.

If there is no primary the election will take place on April 21st, but if there is a primary challenge on either side of the aisle the primary will take place on April 21st and the general election will be on May 26th.