Elections - NH Labor News

75,000 Member Mass Building Trades Council Endorses Stephen Lynch for US Senate

By New Hampshire Labor News | February 22, 2013 - 1:00 pm | Elections, Union

Rep Steven Lynch
Francis X. Callahan, Jr., President
Jeff Sullivan, Vice President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer

Today, the 75,000 member Massachusetts Building Trades Council is proud to announce its endorsement of Stephen F. Lynch for the office of United States Senator. Stephen Lynch’s hard work and thoughtful approach on legislative issues impacting working families stretches over 11 years in the United States Congress and 6 years in the Massachusetts Legislature as a State Representative and State Senator.

That record comes as no surprise to those who know him best because we knew him long before he entered public office. We know Stephen Lynch as a second generation Ironworker, who worked 18 years in the trade just like every one of our 75,000 members. We know Stephen Lynch as the youngest president of Ironworkers Union Local #7 who stood up for his members and represented them on the job, securing better wages, hours, working conditions and a secure retirement. We know Stephen Lynch as the guy who put himself through college and law school at night while working construction during the day. We know him as the guy who never forgot where he came from and continues to fight on behalf of working families in the US House of Representatives.

The United States Senate is full of professional politicians and millionaires. It’s about time we sent someone to Washington who doesn’t just talk about representing the interests of working people. We need to send someone to Washington who understands the challenges facing working families. Steve Lynch understands that because he’s lived it. He knows the value of hard work and he knows what it’s like to collect unemployment when the work dries up.

Mass. Building Trades Council President Frank Callahan said, “Hard work, skill and commitment are values that count for a lot in the Building Trades. Steve Lynch exemplifies those values. He has worked hard, with great skill and maintained his commitment to the working families of Massachusetts that he learned as an Ironworker. He has earned the support of our 75,000 members.”

We hope the voters of Massachusetts will send a true representative of working families to represent us in the United States Senate by electing Stephen Lynch.

“I am proud to accept this endorsement from my brothers and sisters in the Building Trades,” Rep. Lynch said. “I worked alongside them for 18 years as an ironworker, and have stood with them throughout my career in the state legislature and in Congress. I am honored that they stand with me now in support of my Senate run. As a card-carrying union member for more than 30 years, I understand the challenges faced by working families. I have stood on an unemployment line, and shared their worries. As a member of the Senate, I will stand with working families and make sure their voices are heard.”

The Massachusetts Building Trades Council is a 93-year-old organization dedicated to helping working people improve their quality of life. The Council is comprised of 74 member locals representing over 75,000 working men and women across the state.

Former Speaker Considers A Run In NH CD 02

By New Hampshire Labor News | February 11, 2013 - 2:32 pm | Elections, Politics

Comments

From Concord Monitor

Can you believe it. The elections were only four months ago and we are already talking about the 2014 elections.

I did hear the funniest thing this week. Former Speaker of the NH House, Bill (the bully) O’Brien is considering running for the US House against Rep Annie Kuster. Stop laughing, he is serious.

“I’m concerned for the country, I really am. I think we need another fiscally responsible voice down in Washington.” (National Journal)

Could you just imagine that campaign? I mean everyone would have something to say about Candidate O’Brien. The women’s organizations would cite his extreme views on women’s health. The LGBT community would bring up his extreme views on gay marriage and gay rights. Then the unions would have a field day highlighting his extreme stance against unions by trying to repeal collective bargaining in New Hampshire.

How do I know what they would say? Because that is exactly what they said this election. Speaker Bill O’Brien was the TEA Party leader who led the Republican party into the dumpster this election. Literally everything that went wrong in the last legislative session could be blamed on Bill O’Brien.

I find it absolutely hilarious that he thinks he could win in CD2 when he could not even win both towns in his own district. I wish I had an ego that big.

Since we are already talking about NH CD2, I will go ahead and say it. I think that former Senator Lambert should also hang up his political shoes. He would have been crushed in Nashua if he would have ran. He is an unknown. He rode the TEA Party revolution to the NH Senate (I am still scratching my head over that). He had no real political experience.

I actually met Sen Lambert at a legislative event in Nashua. We asked him questions about legislation being pushed through the NH Senate. He would respond, I will have to look into that because I am not really familiar with that bill. My response was, “Really, you are the prime sponsor of the bill.” I would never in a million years vote for former Senator Lambert.

If these are the people that the NH GOP plans to put up against Annie Kuster in 2014, I feel pretty secure in Rep Kuster’s reelection.

Why Are GOP Politicians Agreeing With Al Gore?

By Liz Iacobucci | January 27, 2013 - 4:11 pm | Elections, Labor

Comments

Can someone explain this to me? Why are GOP politicians suddenly agreeing with Al Gore?

Last August, Al Gore called for an end to the electoral college. That’s our system of indirect elections for President. When we go to the polls and vote, we vote for a group of electors, not the actual candidates. Members of the “electoral college” are chosen state-by-state, and the presidential candidate who wins the most electors wins the election.

In 2000, George W. Bush won the election by winning a majority of the electors, even though Al Gore had a half-million more popular votes. In 2012, the Republican party saw the system as so important to their election strategy that their Party Platform included “Protecting the Electoral College” as item #6.

Except, whoops, the 2012 election didn’t exactly turn out the way the GOP expected it to. (Remember Karl Rove’s election-night meltdown?) President Obama won re-election by more than three million votes. And so now some GOP politicians are following Al Gore’s lead and proposing reforms to the electoral college system.

Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported on GOP proposals to change the winner-take-all system “in half a dozen states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia and Michigan. All were presidential battlegrounds that President Obama carried last fall. But their state governments remain under Republican control, and some GOP lawmakers are pushing changes that would make it harder for Democrats to prevail in future contests.”

Whoa, that was a quick turn-around.

“Make it harder for Democrats to prevail” seems to be the key phrase here. Last summer, Bloomberg News warned that

“Across the country, the Republicans’ carefully orchestrated plan to make voting harder — let’s call it the Voter Suppression Project — may keep just enough young people and minorities from the polls that Republicans will soon be in charge of all three branches of the federal government.”

That didn’t quite happen, but not for lack of trying. By election day 2012, we had seen

voter registration scandals in five states, tied to the same GOP consultant firm.
the elimination, restriction, and rescheduling of early voting in at least five battleground states.
“purging” of voting rolls in battleground states.
voter ID laws passed in 33 states (including New Hampshire).

Read the NY Times editorial, tallying all the various ways Republican officials tried to affect the vote, here.

“Make it harder for Democrats to prevail.” These days, it doesn’t seem to matter to the GOP what route they take to that goal. Hire questionable consultants? Agree with Al Gore? Maybe even technological dirty tricks, as alleged by the group Anonymous?

The GOP is trying to win elections by manipulating the election system, rather than by earning votes. And that speaks volumes about how little faith they have in their policies and politicians.

If the party doesn’t have faith it its policies and politicians, why should we?

Congresswoman Kuster Moves Up To Leadership Post and Attends Local Swearing In Ceremony

By New Hampshire Labor News | January 9, 2013 - 3:40 pm | Elections, Politics

Comments

CONGRESSWOMAN KUSTER ELEVATED TO LEADERSHIP POST

After her first week in office, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) has been elected by her colleagues to serve as both a New Member Class Whip and a Senior Whip for the Democratic Caucus. In these roles, Kuster will serve as a liaison between new and senior members, gather feedback on pending legislation, and help win support for legislation that will advance critical priorities for middle class families in New Hampshire and across the country.

“I’m honored to have this chance to play a leadership role in promoting legislation that will help spur job creation, protect seniors, and expand opportunity for the middle class,” said Kuster.

“Congratulations to Rep. Annie Kuster on being elected to serve as a New Member Class Whip and I’m proud to appoint her to serve as a Senior Whip in the 113th Congress,” added Democratic Whip Hoyer. “As a new Member of Congress, Rep. Kuster brings a new and valued perspective to the Whip team. I look forward to working with her as we advance the priorities of the American people, including job creation and building a strong middle class.”

CONGRESSWOMAN KUSTER TO ATTEND CONCORD SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

On Thursday, January 10^th, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) will attend a swearing-in ceremony at the Warren B. Rudman United States Courthouse. The ceremony is open to the public, and comes one week after Kuster was sworn-in as a member of the 113^th Congress. Opening address to be given by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

WHO: Congresswoman Annie Kuster

WHAT: Concord swearing-in ceremony

WHEN: Thursday, January 10^th, 4:00 PM

WHERE: Warren B. Rudman United States Courthouse, 55 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH

Only Two Months until the NEXT Congress-Created Crisis

By Liz Iacobucci | January 2, 2013 - 9:54 am | Elections, Labor, Politics

Comments

Late last night, one-third of House GOP members voted with the Democrats to pass legislation avoiding the “Fiscal Cliff”. Congressman Bass voted in favor of the bill; Congressman Guinta voted against it.

Even though the Senate had passed the bill almost unanimously, until dinnertime, it looked like the bill would fail in the House. What happened at dinnertime? The House took up a brand-new bill bashing federal employees and attempting to rescind their 0.5% cost-of-living increase, which is scheduled to go into effect at the end of March. [Federal employees have already supplied $108 billion in “budget savings” through a two-year pay freeze and increased retirement contributions.]

Sure, there were only a few hours left for Congressional action. Sure, there was no chance whatsoever that a brand-new bill would become law. The House still took 90 minutes to debate it and hold a roll call vote. [Both Guinta and Bass voted for the bill. Please remember that, if either of them run again for Congress in 2014.]

And after that last symbolic attack on federal employees, GOP House leadership was finally able to get around to the business of avoiding the Fiscal Cliff. Gotta wonder about their priorities.

When it finally passed at 11:00 last night, the Fiscal Cliff bill was a true compromise. It included concessions that angered people on both sides. (Read the bill here.)

But it also set up yet another Congress-created crisis, scheduled to hit in only two months.

The bill did not address the federal debt limit – and two months from now, the Treasury will have exhausted the debt limit “headroom” created by taking “extraordinary measures” with government and postal employee pension funds.
The bill did not resolve “sequestration” spending cuts – but rather postponed them for two months.

So, the nation is rolling straight from one Congress-created crisis into another Congress-created crisis.

Gotta wonder why Congress keeps creating crises. (Journalist Naomi Klein has an interesting theory about how crises – real or perceived – are used to further corporate goals. Read more here.)

——————–

One of many things the Fiscal Cliff bill didn’t address was restoring the state share of federal estate taxes.

In a “sponge tax” system dating back to 1924, estate tax revenues were historically shared between the states and the federal government. Back in 2001, Congress federalized the states’ portion of these revenues to help pay for the “temporary” Bush tax cuts.

Restoring the “sponge tax” system could mean more than $3 billion in annual revenues for state governments. New Hampshire could receive an estimated $27 million in annual revenues. Read more here.

The estate tax has a long and patriotic history. It was created to raise funds for the country’s first Navy, and was used to fund almost every war before Iraq. Read more here.

But for the past few decades, “members of a handful of super-wealthy families have quietly helped finance and coordinate a massive campaign to repeal the estate tax. …The families also have helped finance outside groups that have spent millions on fear-mongering ad campaigns intended to sway public opinion against the estate tax.” Read more here.

Who knows? Maybe restoring these state revenues will be a part of whatever bill resolves this next Congress-created crisis.

Governor-Elect Hassan Announces Additional Details for Inauguration

By New Hampshire Labor News | December 27, 2012 - 2:27 pm | Elections, Politics, Press Release

Comments

Open House at the State House to Include Exhibits by FIRST Robotics, Children’s Authors, Artists and Local Food

CONCORD – Governor-Elect Maggie Hassan today announced additional details for her Inaugural Ceremony and State House Open House on Thursday, January 3rd.

Hassan’s Inaugural Ceremony will begin at noon and will feature poetry, prayer and music from numerous Granite Staters, including performances by the Cecilia Ensemble, a choir of high school girls from Peterborough, and Briana Nadeau, a singer-songwriter from Durham who will sing the national anthem.

“From our rich history and culture to our beautiful scenic landscapes, New Hampshire is a truly special place with much to offer,” said Governor-Elect Hassan. “Our Inauguration features a diverse group of Granite Staters whose talents and commitment are representative of our state’s resources and character.”

In addition, attendees will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by New Hampshire Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan of New Durham. Following the end of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Morgan, who has been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, has become a nationally recognized advocate in the effort to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which bars her wife, Karen, from receiving military, Social Security and other benefits that would help her care for their five-year-old daughter Casey Elena.

Following the ceremony and receiving line, Hassan will hold a State House Open House starting at 4:30pm where she will greet citizens from across the state. During the open house, volunteers from the City Year New Hampshire program will help greet visitors and serve as guides through the State House where the Senate, House and Executive Council chambers will all remain open.

Music will be performed by students from across New Hampshire throughout the open house and exhibits by participants in the FIRST Robotics Competition, an initiative founded by Granite Stater Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, as well as NH LEGO League teams will be set up in the cafeteria.

Children visiting the open house will be able to meet with and bring books to be signed by New Hampshire children’s authors, including Rebecca Rule, Erin Moulton and David Elliott, and Exeter artist Rose Bryant will work with children to create an art installation project.

Food and drink for the State House Open House and inaugural events has been generously donated by numerous New Hampshire businesses, including Common Man Restaurants, Crust & Crumb Baking Company, Lindt Chocolate, Me & Ollie’s Bakeries, Stonyfield Yogurt, Zampa’s, Blue Moon Evolution, and Washington Street Café. For more information about Hassan’s inaugural events, please visit www.hassaninauguration.org.

As Governor, Maggie Hassan will bring people together to keep New Hampshire moving forward by focusing on innovation, fiscal responsibility and common-sense solutions to our challenges. Hassan will work with members of both parties to develop a fiscally responsible balanced budget that protects New Hampshire’s priorities without an income or sales tax. She will work to implement her “Innovate NH” jobs plan, which focuses on building the best workforce in the country, providing tax credits to businesses, and giving businesses technical assistance to help them create jobs. And Hassan will reach out to legislators and citizens across the state to listen to their ideas on moving New Hampshire forward.

Congresswoman-Elect Kuster Announces Online Lottery for Tickets to President Obama’s Second Inauguration

By New Hampshire Labor News | December 17, 2012 - 10:47 am | Elections, Politics

Comments

For months we knocked on doors and made phone calls to help re-elect President Obama and elect Annie Kuster. Now Congresswoman-Elect Kuster is giving back to the community that helped her get elected.

Congresswoman-Elect Kuster today announced that her office is launching an online lottery system for Granite Staters interested in attending President Obama’s Second Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

“I am thrilled that so many Granite Staters will have a chance to experience President Obama’s Inauguration from the nation’s capital,” Kuster said. “It is exciting to see so much enthusiasm from people across the state, and I encourage everyone who is interested in attending the Inauguration to enter their names in the lottery.”

To enter the online lottery system, Granite Staters should visit www.KusterforCongress.com/Inauguration and complete the online form.

Anyone can enter the lottery, but preference will be given to those from within New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District. Tickets are limited, so there is no guarantee that everyone who enters the lottery will receive one. There is a limit of four tickets per request, and the deadline to apply is December 29, 2012 by midnight EST. Due to the large amount of interest, there will be no exceptions to this deadline.

Those chosen in the lottery will be notified by early January and will receive additional information on how to pick up their tickets. Those not receiving tickets will also receive notification. Anyone receiving tickets for the Inauguration will be responsible for his or her own travel and expenses, and we strongly encourage all applicants to think through their travel plans in advance. Historically, the day of the Inauguration has been very cold with attendees standing on their feet for most of the day, so those who receive tickets are asked to plan accordingly.

Those who do not receive a ticket may still attend the Inauguration in the area open to the general public. Additional information about activities that may be of interest can be found here: http://inaugural.senate.gov.

Sheldon Adelson: One Man’s Influence Over America’s Politics

By Liz Iacobucci | December 3, 2012 - 10:41 pm | Elections, Labor, Politics

Comments

Remember Sheldon Adelson, our poster child for dividend tax reform?

“As CEOs receive more of their compensation in stock, they have a bigger personal stake in decisions about what to do with corporate profits. Should the company reinvest profits by expanding operations and hiring new employees? Or pay profits out to shareholders as dividends? Implement a long-term growth strategy? Or loot the company for as much immediate payout as possible? When top executives own millions of shares, they have a huge personal stake in that decision.”

“Remember how casino mogul Sheldon Adelson pledged to spend $100 million on Mitt Romney’s campaign? Wonder how he could afford it? It was only a fraction of the amount Adelson received this year in stock dividends from his company – even though ‘Dividend payments to shareholders are not standard in the casino industry…’ “

Read the full story here.

Turns out, Adelson spent more than he pledged. According to yesterday’s Huffington Post, Adelson spent about $150 million trying to get Mitt Romney elected.

As [President Obama’s] second term begins, Adelson’s international casino empire faces a rough road, with two federal criminal investigations into his business.

This coming week, Adelson plans to visit Washington, according to three separate GOP sources familiar with his travel schedule. While here, he’s arranged Hill meetings with at least one House GOP leader in which he is expected to discuss key issues, including possible changes to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the anti-bribery law that undergirds one federal probe into his casino network, according to a Republican attorney with knowledge of his plans.

Congresswoman-Elect Kuster Announces Sean Downey As District Director

By New Hampshire Labor News | December 3, 2012 - 10:10 am | Elections, Politics, Press Release

Comments

Today Congresswoman-Elect Kuster announced Sean Downey as District Director. The New Hampshire Labor News would also like to congratulate Sean on his new position. The NHLN worked with Sean when he was working as part of the ‘Organizing for America’ (OFA) New Hampshire team. Under Sean’s strong leadership we all worked to ensure a win for President Obama her in New Hampshire. We look forward to working with Sean in the future.

Full Press Release From Ann Kuster

Congresswoman-Elect Kuster Announces Sean Downey As District Director

Concord, N.H. – Congresswoman-Elect Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced today that Sean Downey will serve as her Congressional District Director.

“I am thrilled that Sean will be joining our team as District Director,” Kuster said. “Sean has a wealth of experience that makes him a natural fit for this role. The people of New Hampshire’s Second District will be well-served by his thoughtfulness, diligence, and commitment to public service.”

“I am honored to join Congresswoman-Elect Kuster as she goes to work for the people of New Hampshire’s Second District,” Downey said. “I look forward to doing everything I can to support her in her efforts, and to help ensure that the needs of hardworking families all across the district are priority number one.”

Sean joins the staff of Congresswoman-Elect Kuster after serving as Political Director for Organizing for America – New Hampshire, the grassroots arm of President Obama’s successful re-election campaign. His experience in New Hampshire extends back to 2002 and includes work at all levels of various state and federal campaigns, including a Senior Advisor role with Governor John Lynch’s 2010 re-election. Sean is a 2002 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

Governor-Elect Hassan Announces Inauguration Plans

By New Hampshire Labor News | November 29, 2012 - 2:56 pm | Elections, Politics

Comments

Hassan Launches New Inauguration Website, Names Inaugural Committee Director and Co-Chairs

CONCORD – Governor-Elect Maggie Hassan today announced details on plans for her inauguration as New Hampshire’s 81st Governor, including a series of events that will bring together citizens from across the state to participate in moving New Hampshire forward.

Hassan will take the oath of office as Governor of New Hampshire on Thursday, January 3rd at the State House in Concord. Later that day she will host a State House Open House to greet citizens from across the state. More details on the open house will be released later.

The Inaugural Committee will host the Inaugural Ball on Friday, January 4th at the Radisson Center of New Hampshire in Manchester. Additionally the committee will hold a North Country Ball on Saturday, January 12th at the Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods.

To keep the public informed about inauguration activities, Hassan has launched a new website www.hassaninauguration.org, which will also provide online ticketing for events.

“New Hampshire is a special place where we come together as communities to support each other, address our challenges, and move our state forward,” said Governor-Elect Hassan. “The New Hampshire way means all of us chip in, and the people of New Hampshire expect their leaders to be accessible to their ideas and priorities. I want to ensure all of our citizens have an opportunity to participate as we begin our work together to build a stronger, more innovative New Hampshire where our businesses can grow, flourish and create good jobs for our people.”

Governor-Elect Hassan also announced the formation of her Inaugural Committee, which is working to organize and plan the inauguration.

The committee will be co-chaired by Alan Reische of Manchester, Anna Grace Holloway of Rye, Fred Seigel of North Hampton, and Tom Raffio of Bow.

Additionally, Hassan has named Matt Burgess, who previously served as her campaign manager, as Inaugural Committee Director. J.P. Boyle, who served as the campaign’s deputy campaign manager will be the Inaugural Committee’s deputy director and Liz Purdy will serve as a senior advisor to the committee as she did on the campaign.

Category Archives: Elections

75,000 Member Mass Building Trades Council Endorses Stephen Lynch for US Senate

Former Speaker Considers A Run In NH CD 02

Why Are GOP Politicians Agreeing With Al Gore?

Congresswoman Kuster Moves Up To Leadership Post and Attends Local Swearing In Ceremony

Only Two Months until the NEXT Congress-Created Crisis

Governor-Elect Hassan Announces Additional Details for Inauguration

Congresswoman-Elect Kuster Announces Online Lottery for Tickets to President Obama’s Second Inauguration

Sheldon Adelson: One Man’s Influence Over America’s Politics

Congresswoman-Elect Kuster Announces Sean Downey As District Director

Governor-Elect Hassan Announces Inauguration Plans

DON’T Forget To Like Us On FACEBOOK!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Search The NH Labor News Older Posts

Please help keep the NH Labor News Going

Give Us 5

Advertise on the NH Labor News

NHLN Supported Charity

Archives

Blogroll