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Concord Monitor August 25 Kenney Swings on the Pendulum of Politics By SARAH LIEBOWITZ
In 14 years as a state lawmaker, Joe Kenney has signed his name on a range of bills, swinging from the conservative - such as a proposal to restore the parental notification law - to the bipartisan.
"I do have my core beliefs," said Kenney, a Republican state senator who is running for governor. People "know where Joe Kenney stands on these issues, but he's not so narrow-minded that he's not going to work across the aisle," he said.
Kenney served four terms in the House before winning election to the Senate in 2002. As a lawmaker, he defies easy categorization.
There are bills that display his skepticism of all things out-of-state. In the most recent legislative session, Kenney co-sponsored bills to investigate the evasion of New Hampshire taxes by Massachusetts businesses and to restrict access for out-of-state government tax collection agencies to New Hampshire business records. Also on the list of Kenney-sponsored, New Hampshire-centric bills was a proposal to require schools to devote equal amounts of time to the teaching of New Hampshire and United States history.
And there are bills that align Kenney with some segments of his party.
This year, Kenney proposed an unsuccessful bill that would bar New Hampshire from serving as a "sanctuary for illegal aliens" and another bill, which was sent to interim study, lengthening the list of crimes that can be prosecuted as capital murder. There was the resolution, also unsuccessful, urging Congress to "prevent the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement superhighway system."
But Kenney has also sponsored numerous bills that had bipartisan support or aren't traditionally Republican.
Altogether, Kenney signed his name to 100 proposed bills, resolutions and constitutional amendments this year. Of those, 33 became law. Kenney and his campaign manager, Republican Rep. Casey Crane of Nashua, were the sole sponsors of seven of those 100 bills.
Health care, veterans and animal protection
Kenney has emerged as one of the most prominent advocates of animal protection legislation. This year, he sponsored a bill - which Gov. John Lynch signed into law - that allows the state to confiscate animals used in illegal fights and to ban someone convicted of running animal fights from owning or controlling certain animals. Kenney described the law as "the toughest animal fighting bill in the country" and attributed his interest in the issue to his rural childhood.
On one of the more controversial issues of this two-year legislative session, a bill establishing speed limits for boats on Lake Winnipesaukee, Kenney was one of just two Senate Republicans to side with the majority of Senate Democrats in supporting the proposal. The bill passed the Senate by four votes.
Kenney, of Wakefield, cast his vote as a form of constituent service. "I represent literally thousands of landowners that were asking me to support this boat speed bill," he said. "I would have preferred more of a compromise."
And on issues related to health care, Kenney has been prolific.
He is most proud, he says, of a law that allows New Hampshire nurses to practice in other states within a compact made up of about two dozen states, without having to obtain new licenses in each state. In addition, nurses from other states within the compact can practice in New Hampshire if they have a multi-state license.
New Hampshire has a nursing shortage," said Kenney, who sponsored the bill that became law in 2005. "I think we're actually filling a need with that legislation."
This year, Kenney supported a bill that later became law to have insurers pay for services provided by midwives both at home and at licensed health care facilities. He sponsored several health care bills that failed, including a proposal to create a commission to study paying for vaccines for children who lack private health insurance and a bill mandating insurance coverage for mercury-free fillings, vaccines and injections for pregnant women, women who might become pregnant and children under age 12.
Kenney has sponsored several bills regarding organ donations over the years, including proposals - which failed - to require hospitals to report on their standards for organ donations and transplants and barring hospitals from requiring insurance coverage for organ donations and transplants. In 2006, he sponsored a bill establishing an organ- and tissue-donor registry, which became law. The registry, Kenney said, "really streamlined registration."
Sen. Kathleen Sgambati, a Tilton Democrat who is considered one of the Legislature's foremost experts on health care, described Kenney as "pleasant to work with," though they often disagreed on issues. "He often had good ideas and obviously cared a lot about some issues, but the approaches weren't always the most effective way to deal with the problem," Sgambati said.
Kenney, a Marine, began his career by focusing on veterans issues. But over time, he said, "I found myself gravitating toward health care."
Still, Kenney continues to support and sponsor legislation related to veterans. This year, he sponsored successful proposals to increase the maximum scholarship amount available from the National Guard scholarship fund and to require the state Veterans Council to issue a state veterans handbook biennially. In 2004, Kenney sponsored a Senate resolution to create a Purple Heart Trail in New Hampshire.
"Lower spending and the veterans issues he's always been in the forefront on," said Senate Republican Leader Ted Gatsas of Manchester.
Sen. Peter Burling, a Cornish Democrat, was chairman of the Executive Departments and Administration Committee, on which Kenney served. "He is a pleasant, decent man," Burling said. "I don't agree with him about much of the substance, and we disagree about much of the ways in which government ought to work."
'Let's keep New Hampshire New Hampshire'
Kenney's record also includes bills that are clearly rooted in his constituency.
This year he proposed a bill that would exempt the town of Wakefield from the setback requirements of the Shoreland Protection Act. The bill failed. Last year, Kenney sponsored a successful bill to pave the way for the construction of a dam on a lake in Wakefield. In the 2004 session, he proposed a bill - which failed - to eliminate the ban on Jet Skis on Pine River Pond in Wakefield.
And then there are those bills that aren't related to health care or veterans but that make Kenney proud.
Last year, he pushed for a change in the law regarding bingo games conducted by senior citizens organizations. The bill, which passed, increased the maximum total value of prizes and tokens awarded for such games from $150 to $500 and changed the minimum age requirement for participation in the games from 60 to 55. The bill, Kenney said, is "one of my most popular."
Kenney's interest in the issue of senior citizen bingo was prompted by a conversation with Kellie Chase, who runs senior programs at the Farmington Parks and Recreation Department. "We were way over" the old prize limit, Chase explained. "We were playing 25-cent games, but there were so many people." At the time, Kenney was running for the Senate, and Chase asked for his help.
"He was a big help for us," she said.
As for legislative disappointments, Kenney pointed to a death penalty bill that he proposed. The bill, which failed to pass this year, would have made those who killed multiple people in the same act subject to the death penalty.
Kenney summed up his campaign theme this way: "Let's keep New Hampshire New Hampshire, not Massachusetts." He said he wants to rein in spending, and he takes issue with what he deems "some of the social fabric changes" that have taken place in the state.
"I have a sense that people are very worried about basic necessity items like food, shelter and heat, and many people around the state feel like they can't afford all that," he said.
Asked how his campaign theme is reflected in his legislative record, Kenney pointed to the highway trust fund. Money from the gas tax goes to the highway fund, which helps pay for highway projects. Several other agencies, however, also get highway dollars, including the Department of Safety and the Department of Justice. Many lawmakers say the money should be limited to highway projects.
"I think the monies that go into the highway trust fund should go directly to the roads," Kenney said. "And I think that's keeping New Hampshire New Hampshire."
Union Leader August 8 GOP gubernatorial candidate challenges Lynch By TOM FAHEY
CONCORD - Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Joseph Kenney signed a pledge to cap state spending yesterday, and challenged Gov. John Lynch to do the same.
Kenney disavowed any connection with the group sponsoring the pledge, New Hampshire Advantage Coalition.
Democrats have accused the group of violating state election laws requiring financial disclosure reports. NHAC is running petition drives to cap state and municipal spending at the rate of inflation and population growth. The group switched from being a political action committee to being a non-profit issues advocacy group less than six months after its formation.
NHAC's stated purpose is "preserving the New Hampshire way of life." NHAC chairman Michael Biundo said the group is abiding by state law, and that during its brief time as a PAC, "we did not reach the reporting threshold on receipts or expenditures." Attorney General Kelly Ayotte's office is reviewing the Democrats' complaint.
Kenney, R-Wakefield, said after signing the pledge, "I have no affiliation or connection with the group, but I support what they're doing." Kenney told reporters, "I'm sure they are abiding by the rules and regulations of the state of New Hampshire."
Kenney said Lynch, the Democrat he wants to unseat, should sign the spending cap pledge. He said Lynch has presided over steep increases in state spending that will force him to abandon his promise to block a state sales or income tax.
"How do you ensure that we have no income tax unless you limit the spending that is backing us into one?" Kenney asked.
Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said, "The governor has said he will veto a sales or income tax many, many times. Managing the state budget takes leadership and the governor continues to provide that leadership." He said Lynch has produced a balanced budget in each of the four years he has been in office, cutting agency requests and vacant positions "all the while addressing long neglected needs."
Kenney criticized Lynch's handling of a new computer system that will combine all bookkeeping and financial planning functions, management of the state's fleet of cars and trucks, and the use of consultants to state government.
Rep. Daniel Eaton, D-Stoddard, majority floor leader, said Lynch pushed the accounting system toward completion when development became bogged down. Two committees are looking at fleet management issues now, he said.
"Joe needs to get onto the information line and find out what's going on," he said.
Foster's Daily Democrat July 30, 2008
PORTSMOUTH - State Sen. Joe Kenney announced Tuesday his five point action plan in making sure the Granite State is prepared for the potential energy crisis come winter.
The announcement came as part of a series of meetings he is having with businesses across the state focused on energy and economic development issues.
With only a few months left until the state gubernatorial election, Kenney got a chance to tour Pike Industries asphalt plant in Portsmouth, using that stage as a venue to reveal his energy platform.
The three-term senator from Wakefield announced that if elected, he intends on repealing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, also known as ReGGIe, calling it the "wrong time" for that particular idea to be brought forth.
"I'd table that for a while," he said.
Kenney also expressed the need to create a regionalized "one-stop energy shop" for consumers that would essentially create a pooled resource of energy providers in order to reduce costs statewide.
His third point was to institute a capital budget plan for energy efficiency that would emphasize more focus on conservation rather than consumption.
A fourth point, that he deemed essential to making sure residents make it through the winter months, was to create an energy emergency fund fueled by businesses and non-profits.
"It will address how we're going to get through the winter months," said Kenney.
Kenney said the fund will emphasize the role of first responders and community leaders in recognizing residents most in need of help during these difficult times.
"People aren't just concerned, they're scared." he said.
His fifth point, which was announced later in the day, was to create an e nergy efficient pilot program for municipalities that would cut the initial costs of installing new energy efficient equipment. Kenney said that the savings experienced over the first several years of operation would eventually pay off the installation costs and would essentially be a "win-win" situation.
"At the end of the day, everybody's doing it," said Kenney.
Kenney is the only Republican in the race to face Governor John Lynch in November.
7/21 Claremont Eagle Times GOP hopeful slams Lynch By BEN BULKELEY, Staff Writer
CLAREMONT -- State Sen. Joe Kenney, R-Wakefield, made a trip to the Upper Valley on Thursday, touting his record as a fiscal conservative, leader and veteran. Kenney, the Republican candidate for Governor, will face incumbent John Lynch this November.
Kenney said he will focus on transportation, health care, and veterans' issues as he moves forward with his campaign. He also sees the need for a fiscal conservative in Concord.
"What we've done for over a year is circulate around New Hampshire, talking about how we see New Hampshire changing. Our campaign theme is 'Let's keep New Hampshire, New Hampshire.' We're one broad based-tax away from turning into Massachusetts."
Kenney has spent 14 years in the state legislature. He was chairman of the Transportation Committee from 2002-2004, chairman of Executive, Department and Administration Committee from 2002-2004, as well as being on the Health and Human Services Committee for six years.
He also served 28 years for the active reserve Marine Corps, where he was sent on two trips to the Middle East. If elected, he wants to cut government spending.
"Governor Lynch, nice guy that he is, has overspent in state government by almost a half billion dollars. He just can't seem to say no, and he's spending us out of our homes."
"The governor is pushing this thing called the Regional House Gas Initiative, which is going to increase energy costs here in New Hampshire," Kenney said. "It's a special interest piece of legislation, brought up by the University of New Hampshire's Environmental studies. We think it will cause serious damage to businesses around the state of New Hampshire, as well as residential home owners."
"We think that bill should be repealed. The cost of energy is astronomical, not just in New Hampshire, but all around the country. We need a fiscal conservative in the corner office who's going to look out for the best interests of New Hampshire, and prioritize the state government."
Kenney would also like to see sections of New Hampshire government privatized, which he believes would bring in more revenue. He referenced the lack of privatization in corrections, namely the collection of retributions owed to the state.
"We could privatize the collection company to come in and collect up to millions of dollars in revenue for the state of New Hampshire," said Kenney.
Kenney also sees a chance for more statewide revenue if private companies were allowed to advertise on state highways. Kenney would also like to see Cannon Mountain privatized, much the way Sunapee was in 1998, in order to fund state parks.
Kenney has mapped out what he would do if elected.
"We have five points in our platform. Number one is we want to create government efficiency, and stop the spending in the state government. Number two is that we want to have a strong energy policy. Number three is we want a job creation policy," said Kenney. "Number four is full support of a VA medical hospital in Manchester. Number five is we want to maintain the New Hampshire tax advantage."
"From an economic development standpoint we also have five priorities. We want to make sure we market the state of New Hampshire as a business friendly state by putting actual airport announcements encouraging people to come to New Hampshire to do business."
"Number two, we want to set up a business coordinator in the governors office. Number three is we want to privatize Cannon Mountain. Number four is we want to work with the technical colleges to institute the business centers," said Kenney. "Number five would be a rapid-response team, at any time a plant is closing down we want to make sure that there's a house member and a senator on that rapid response team, so they understand that business, and how it affects the local region."
Kenney is also uneasy about the direction he sees New Hampshire going, saying the current leadership has left the state "rudderless," and on the verge of excessive spending that would require an income tax to balance the budget.
"The governor let the educational law walk in to law. Never signed it, never vetoed it, and it's going to cost the state anywhere from $140 to $180 million, depending on who you ask. Any governor that doesn't sign or veto a law of that magnitude is not showing leadership."
"I want to propose a constitutional amendment to resolve the educational funding question once and for all, and to make sure that it's on the ballot for the people of New Hampshire to vote on it."
Kenney also wants to reinstall the Parental Notification Law for teenage abortions, which was repealled in 2005.
"I think parents in the state of New Hampshire should know what their 13-year-old daughter is doing,and if they are confronted with a pregnancy crisis, that they be notified," said Kenney. "And the governor took that away from parents."
"The governor is not taking a leadership role in state government, he's not taking positions," said Kenney. "If he came to a fork in the road, he'd want to take both ways, and that's not leadership."
Ben Bulkeley can be reached at (603) 543-3100 Ext. 105 or by e-mail at bbulkeley@eagletimes.com.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Joe Kenney, of Wakefield, visited with employees at Cirtronics in Milford on Thursday. Nashua Telegraph: Friday, July 11, 2008 Vote '08: GovernorGOP gubernatorial hopeful listens, offers ideas By staff writer
MILFORD – Republican gubernatorial candidate Joe Kenney earned some laughs from employees of Cirtronics when he said people in the Lakes Region are escaping home-heating prices by moving to Florida to live with relatives they hate.
UNION LEADER June 12, 2008 Kenney's run for governor is now official By TOM FAHEY
Concord – State Sen. Joseph Kenney filed as a candidate for governor today, signing a pledge to observe a voluntary $1.2 million total spending limit and challenging Gov. John Lynch to do the same. “I want to make this about people, not about money,” Kenney said. “By taking the spending limit cap on my campaign I am also illustrating what I would do as governor. I will implement real spending limits in our state budget as well.” He attacked Lynch for lack of fiscal discipline, referring to him as a multi-millionaire several times. He said he has hurt the state with increases in taxes and fees, and for signing a two-year budget that increased spending by $500 million. He also criticized introduction last week of a $90 million borrowing bill that Democrats passed without any public hearing. “We need to get the reins and a hold on the New Hampshire budget,” Kenney said. “We need to keep New Hampshire, New Hampshire,” he added, echoing the campaign signs about 50 supporters held as he spoke to reporters. Kenney, 47, a Wakefield Republican, faces a big challenge in taking on Lynch, a two-term Democrat with approval ratings of more than 70 percent. “Someone has got to take on John Lynch and I can’t think of any other better person than a U.S. Marine who grew up in this state,” he said. “I learned long ago that no one is unbeatable.” Kenney, a legislator for 14 years including the last six in the Senate, is a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve lieutenant colonel who has been called up twice since the war in Iraq began. He is a 1984 graduate of the University of New Hampshire. He pledged to veto any sales or income tax, and has signed a pledge to keep state spending within the rate of regional inflation. He said he will cut spending and improve government efficiency, reduce energy costs by blocking the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, boost job growth and business recruitment, and push for a full-service hospital for veterans. By agreeing to the voluntary spending cap, Kenney will be able to accept donations of up to $5,000 to his campaign. He is limited to spending $625,000 each in the primary and general elections. State law limits donations to $1,000 for those who do not agree to the cap. Those who exceed the limits are subject to a fine. Kenney said his campaign will emphasize grassroots organization, but the lack of access to unlimited spending won’t hurt “There will be Joe Kenney for governor ads on TV, in fact they start next week,” he said. Kenney said he would audit every state agency at the outset of his administration, and require each commissioner to file a mission statement to focus his department’s work. Lynch plans to file for re-election tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Nashua Telegraph June 12, 2008 State senator will challenge LynchBy KEVIN LANDRIGAN Staff Writer
CONCORD – Republican state Sen. Joseph Kenney entered the race for governor Wednesday, promising to abide by a voluntary spending limit of $1.2 million for the 2008 campaign and calling on two-term Democratic Gov. John Lynch to do the same.
Monday, May 19 Kenney seeks to preserve NH way of life as governor
BERLIN — Republican gubernatorial candidate Joe Kenney is looking to keep New Hampshire, New Hampshire and stop it from becoming Massachusetts.
Kenney said he wants to preserve the New Hampshire way of
life and prevent outside political infl uences from changing the
“We need to reestablish our New Hampshire identity because we’re slowly losing it,” said Kenney.
Kenney has served as a state Senator from Wakefield for three
terms, and also spent four terms in the New Hampshire House of
Representatives. He has served in the Marine Corps for 28 years,
working his way up to Lieutenant Colonel, and serving two tours in Iraq. Kenney has lived in Wakefield
his whole life. “We don’t want to become northern Massachusetts,” said Kenney. The current Democratic leadership, both in the legislature and governor’s office, is getting their signals from Massachusetts and shaping policy and spending with in the stat, said Kenney. He added this will result in the people losing their state.
He said Lynch is not a strong enough leader to tell his party they are spending too much.
As governor, Kenney said he would look for places within the government to cut spending and improve efficiency. He added this could simply be done by cutting unnecessary vehicles out of the state’s fleet or cutting the number of state issued cell phones.
Kenney said that Concord has lost touch with the North Country and he would rebuild that relationship.“If the governor comes up here, it’s a photo op,” said Kenney. “I want to have a presence up here.” He said the North Country needs a governor who is familiar with what’s happening in the area. He added there’s almost no industrial base left in the region and the state’s government needs to make a tremendous investment in the area.
The authority would work to ensure the roads, local airports and industrial areas are ready for new companies to come into the area. He added the infrastructure needs to be in place to create opportunities for these new industries. Though, Kenney said Lynch’s initiative for a Coos County Tax Credit, which has been passed through both legislative houses, would help the area but will not have a huge impact.
“We need a new governor. We need a new legislature,” said Kenney. “We need to get New Hampshire back on track.”
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Kenney picks up Johnson's endorsement By ERIN PLUMMER Sen. Joe Kenney has received a major endorsement from a fellow lawmaker in his bid for governor.
Keene Sentinel May 7, 2008 David P. Greisman
With an apparently clear path to New Hampshire's general election, gubernatorial candidate Joseph D. Kenney is taking aim at the one man blocking his way to the corner office in Concord - Gov. John H. Lynch. "Quite frankly, I don't believe that he's providing strong leadership for the state," Kenney, a Republican from Wakefield serving his third state Senate term, said Tuesday in a meeting with Sentinel editors. "Nice guy. We call him Jimmy Carter. He's the guy that was a weak leader everybody liked in the '70s." Kenney is a former state representative and longtime Marine who now works as a special projects officer for them.
Clothed in a dark suit and a blue tie with an American flag pattern, and with a flag pin affixed to his lapel, he explained why he believes he is a better captain for the Granite State. "We can see the course of the state shifting," Kenney said. "The spending in Concord has increased dramatically. The prioritization in state government is no longer there. We basically see a state that's drifting away and really becoming, truly, northern Massachusetts. "We want to get New Hampshire back on track," he said. "We want to keep New Hampshire New Hampshire." Kenney's strategy, which faces current projections of a $250 million state budget deficit next year, involves lowering costs while finding fresh ways of raising money. "Cuts can be made in state government," Kenney said. "The spending priorities would be on the necessities. For instance, I would go to (the Department of Transportation) and say, 'Listen, the trucks and cars that you all drive around, you're not going to have them. When it comes to cell phone usage, you're going to be very limited.' "We have to cut back on expenses within our departments," he said. "I would go into the bowels of each agency and say there have to be cuts. You're going to need to use your resources wisely." And residents who feel overburdened by government spending are responding in their approaches to local projects, Kenney said. "I saw a fire station in Milton - basically, the building was condemned. You have to build a public-safety building or else you can't use the one that you currently have. And they voted it down by eight votes," he said. "You go to Dover, there is a tax cap. It's here. It's everywhere. There is a revolt." Along with cutting spending, Kenney said he would expand the state's sources of revenue, such as selling advertisements on the state's turnpike system that he said could raise upwards of $2 million, and leasing out Cannon Mountain in Franconia. "The more and more we get into state government and see things we can identify as bringing revenue, we can do that," Kenney said. "What I would like to do is create a commission that would look at innovative approaches to bring revenue into the state. I think we do a poor job of marketing the state of New Hampshire. We could do a far better job." Kenney also wants the state Supreme Court not to have a say on how funds are directed to schools. The court has told the state government to pay the full cost of an adequate education to all communities. "Let's not have judicial activism where they're dictating policy in the New Hampshire Legislature when it comes to education funding," he said. "I've always supported a constitutional amendment. I've always supported the idea of targeting aid into the poor communities that need it." Money will also be an important facet of Kenney's run at the governor's office. He currently faces no competition for the GOP nomination. His funding strategy for the campaign is grass-roots. "I'd rather have 5,000 people give me $50 contributions than have 50 people give me $5,000," he said. "Because that means they're bought and sold on my campaign." Nevertheless, Kenney said he's not at a competitive disadvantage. "I'm not running from an unknown, single-district House seat. I'm running as a state senator," Kenney said. "In that part of the state, two counties (Carroll and Strafford) know me very well. It is my launching pad. I am a University of New Hampshire grad. I've worked in the state. I served in the military, in Manchester for six years as a reservist. "I connect to the store owner," he said. "I connect to the guy who fixes our cars. It's all about interacting at that level and saying, 'I want to represent you.' " Kenney is scheduled to appear Saturday, May 24, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Keene Senior Center, 70 Court St. David P. Greisman can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1439, or dgreisman@keenesentinel.com
March 17, 2008 UNION LEADER ANOTHER VIEW:
I recently attended a State of the State address hosted by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and listened to what could only be called a complete whitewash of our current situation. The Governor’s State of the State is not based in reality. I often feel listening to John Lynch that there are two New Hampshires the one I grew up in and have tried to help preserve during my 14 years in the legislature verses the one that is turning into Massachusetts with Governor Lynch asleep at the wheel. His speeches contain no clear plan to better market the New Hampshire advantage or suggestions of any innovative approaches to bring in revenue. For instance, the privatization of Cannon Mountain which co uld bring in m uch needed revenue to the park system. We need a vision for our state that includes planning, decisive leadership, innovation and clear priorities. What I heard was political double talk and excuses.
He previewed the latest political line on the budget, the 17.5% budget increase has become only a “3 % increase” The governor has found an escape hatch, the word “non discretionary”, costs like the retirement account. He claimed the increase is only really 3% if you ignore “costs that we were obligated to fund”. He called it a “reasonable percentage increase”. Nice trick. I’ll bet every public official in this state wishes the public would look at only one part of the budget. Any board of selectman member knows when you are talking about a budget increase you must consider the whole budget going up or down.” Planning means taking into account the monies you have already obligated. Suddenly, Lynch’s bloated budget that included spending to the tune of 12 million dollars for LCHIP is going up only because of “non discretionary” costs. Ever notice the buck never stops at Lynch’s desk. It was the economy or the l egislature or maybe his dog ate it.
The Governor talked about problems with transportation but offered no innovative ways to create revenue. I brought forward a bill to sell advertising at tolls booths and on the backs of receipts that would have brought in 500,000 +. Innovation was shot down by the Democratically controlled Senate as were two other bills to provide a self funding mechanism for LCHIP; one through a voluntary check box for contributions and another by producing an LCHIP plate. If we took some of the 12 million dollars that the Governor gave to LCHIP and gave it to the towns for infrastructure needs many, like Bedford, may not have to consider doing state projects themselves. That money could have also gone to red line bridges or to help eliminate the Developmentally Disabled waiting list. This is just one choice the Governor had complete control over i n his budget. Strong leadership means facing reality. Will we maintain our fiscally responsible attitude, concern for personal responsibility and protection of parental rights? Or lose our unique qualities become like the rest of New England. We need to be honest about the real state of the state. Registry fees are up, residential phone rates will increase, moose permits, wild turkey fees, tobacco tax, motorcycle registration fee increases and this is just the beginning. It is time to stand up and keep New Hampshire, New Hampshire. The truth is, at the rate we are going we are only one broad based tax away from becoming Massachusetts. ...and that is the rest of the story on the state of our state. Senator Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield)
Union Leader Tuesday, Jun. 19, 2007 Sen. Joe Kenney: On school funding, we need better from the governor Commentary THE EDUCATION funding debate has become an issue driven by desperation instead of leadership. The fear of political failure is driving a mentality of "solution at any cost" but that cost is to the taxpayer. First, his own party shut down Gov. John Lynch in the House. Then his lack of leadership brought in no more than 11 Democrat senators. Now he's trying to blame Republicans instead of facing up to how this fell apart. This is pure political spin. The governor should stop blaming Republicans for his failure to lead members of his own majority party. Let's set the record straight so we can move forward with a different approach. Here is what went wrong. The governor avoided taking a position during his first term when a Republican Legislature could have passed it. He was silent while others pushed for taking up the issue up during the House special session last summer. When he finally got on board, instead of crafting an amendment together with Republican and Democrat leaders, Lynch's approach was that of a one man (I have 80 percent popularity) band fatally flawing his first version with an arbitrary number of "50 percent", which leaders of either party could have told him would not fly. The governor has changed when it comes to the other side of the aisle. Last term, Senate Republicans were frequently asked to come in and discuss key areas of difference. Yet on this, clearly the most important issue facing the state, I never received one phone call from John Lynch to discuss his amendments, the language entailed or to ask me to consider voting for them. Three, a bipartisan solution requires respect. Being a leader, means taking the other party's concerns seriously. The governor could have rekindled an opportunity to look at the issue raised in CACR 20 regarding the Republicans' long-standing defense of "local control". Instead, he resorted to name calling, saying Republicans were partisans who "took their ball and went home." Where do we go next? First, drop the name-calling and respect others' opinions. The Republicans who voted against this do not care more about "politics" and less about the "best interest of children" as stated by the governor's news release. This type of inflammatory rhetoric shows how much the governor has changed and will get us nowhere. Second, we examine the sticking point of "local control" and beef up the language to guarantee localities a voice in their own schools. The governor has an opportunity to build a bridge over troubled waters. Even if he finds the one vote he needs tomorrow, I am publicly asking him to stop cherry picking and talk to all 10 Senate Republicans, taking note of our concerns in a respectful manner. I hope he will schedule that meeting. My door is open and my phone available. True leadership includes those with whom you disagree. Sen. Joe Kenney is a Republican from Wakefield.
39-year wait for Purple Heart ends By ROGER AMSDEN Correspondent Monday, August 6, 2007
Granite State residents who have earned the Purple Heart for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan were honored in a special ceremony at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen yesterday afternoon. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE
Nashua Telegraph
Kenney Forms Task Force to Evaluate Care Provided to Our Nation's Veterans
Republican Sen. Joe Kenney talks politics and war at Rivier College CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE
B-I-N-G-O for Kenney
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