HILLARY CLINTON SCHEDULE: MARCH 10, 2007

Hillary Clinton will visit Concord and Nashua, NH, on Saturday, March 10, 2007. She will meet with Governor Lynch and former State Senator Mary Louise Hancock in Concord. Later, she will speak at the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s “100 Club” dinner in Nashua.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

1:00 p.m.

Clinton Meets with Governor Lynch and former State Senator Mary Louise Hancock

33 Washington St .

Concord , NH

6:00 p.m.

Clinton Addresses the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s “100 Club” Dinner

Sheraton Nashua Hotel

Grand Ballroom

11 Tara Blvd

Nashua , NH

Lynch Move to Increase Education Spending

Proves adequacy definition undefinable

Manchester - With the admission that he has changed his mind already on education spending, Governor John Lynch has proven that the definition of an adequate education is unachievable.

"If he is changing his mind now, obviously even John Lynch isn't sure of what he thinks is an adequate education," said Tammy Simmons, Executive Director of the NHAC. "This isn't a good sign for the hard working people of New Hampshire."

Lynch told reporters on March 8 that he was suddenly changing his plan for education spending. Instead of dropping the redistribution formula from last year, as he originally said he would, Lynch will now keep the old plan, and increase spending by another $50 million.

"That's reckless," said NHAC Chairman Mike Biundo. "To indiscriminately change one's mind at the expense of the taxpayers is arbitrary and short-sighted. What is $50 million today could be $1.2 billion in July."

It also indicates an inconsistency in John Lynch's rhetoric. Without providing a rationale, the Governor has repeatedly said he believes the "Claremont" and "Londonderry" education lawsuit decisions were properly adjudicated. He has also said that he believes the legislature should, and can, define what is an "adequate education" for every child in the state by the unenforceable July 1, 2007 deadline imposed by the Court.

But as the legislature scrambles to acquiesce to an improper Court ruling and its arrogant imposition of a deadline to define "adequacy", Lynch is embracing an education spending plan that he, himself, agreed was "unconstitutional" based on the court's ruling.

"One can't blame Governor Lynch if he is confused," said Biundo. "For too long, he and many members of the legislature have believed that the Court can just 'order up' law".

The income and sales tax clouds are on the horizon unless the legislature stands up for its law-making role, rather than cowering like John Lynch, and agreeing to abide by an empty Court "order" that has no founding in history, civics, or proper constitutional analysis.

The New Hampshire Advantage Coalition is a bi-partisan, NH-based organization formed to preserve the economic and political blessings that make the state an attractive place to live and work.

The new tax form can be seen on the NHAC's website www.thenhadvantage.com <http://www.thenhadvantage.com/>;

EXECUTIVE COUNCILOR DEB PIGNATELLI ENDORSES SENATOR CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT

Second Major NH Endorsement This Week

NASHUA, NH – As Senator Hillary Clinton prepares to return to New Hampshire for the Democratic Party’s “100 Club” Dinner in Nashua this weekend, prominent state Democratic leader and Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli announced today that she has endorsed Senator Clinton for President.

“Senator Clinton’s wisdom, values and determination made this an easy decision for me,” said Pignatelli, who held a house party for Senator Clinton in February. “We share a commitment to solving this country’s energy crisis and protecting our precious environment. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work on her campaign here in New Hampshire.”

Pignatelli has lived with her family in Nashua since 1973. She was the first Executive Director of the Nashua Girl's Club and has been in public service since 1986 when she won her first of nine election victories. In 2004, she was first elected to the Executive Council and re-elected in November 2006 for a second term.

“It is an incredible honor to have Deb’s support,” said Clinton. “I am looking forward to being in Nashua with her this weekend and continuing the conversation with Granite Staters about what’s at stake.”

Pignatelli joins New Hampshire House Majority Leader Mary Jane Wallner who announced her endorsement of Senator Clinton earlier this week. Pignatelli supported Congressman Richard Gephardt’s presidential campaign in 2003.   

Republican Press Release:"Democrats Ignore Our Neediest Citizens"

Yesterday, New Hampshire House Democrats turned their backs on a promise and moral obligation to provide services to developmentally disabled citizens by voting down a floor amendment that would have fully funded and completely eliminated the developmental disabilities waiting list in this biennium.

“Since the Laconia State School closed in 1991, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have been waiting for the state to make good on its promises to provide them with vital services. It is time we made good on this promise by fully funding the program and eliminating the waiting list,” said Republican Leader Michael Whalley. “It is so disappointing that we have once again let down these citizens because of partisan politics.”

During hearings on this issue, HHS Commissioner John Stephen and the heads of the area agencies responsible for the oversight of the waitlist testified that they are ready and able to fix this problem right now. The Governor’s budget proposal is $7 million short, and the commissioner believes that he can find money, but it requires legislative action, and rather than voting to end the wait list in this budget cycle with a Republican backed piece of legislation, democrats opted for a Democratic sponsored bill that pushes elimination of the waitlist much further into the future.

“Hiding behind the promises of supporting a Democratic sponsored senate bill that would delay the elimination of the wait list is pure partisanship,” added former Health and Human Services Committee Chair, Rep. Peter Batula.

“The developmentally disabled wait list is not a partisan issue, at least, it shouldn’t be, and I’m so sorry that we were not able to pass this important amendment and act for the good of New Hampshire’s neediest citizens,” concluded Whalley.

House Democrats: Taxing and Spending

In less than 48 hours, the New Hampshire House Democratic majority has supported new taxes, new and higher fees and more spending to the tune of millions of dollars.

“Democrats, led by Governor Lynch, promised no new taxes. It sure didn’t take long for them to break that promise,” said Republican Leader, Rep. Michael Whalley.

“New Hampshire taxpayers will feel the pinch of these actions by the Democratic party,” added Rep. Gene Chandler, Republican Policy Leader. “Democrats spent tens of millions of dollars in just a day and a half, while passing a new tax on real estate that will adversely affect those of our citizens trying to achieve the American Dream of owning a home. They have continued to increase spending above and beyond the Governor’s already excessive 14.1% proposed budget increase.”

Among a number of new fees and taxes is a $40 tax on each page recorded of a deed, mortgage or plat that would take approximately $12 million away from taxpayers over two years to be spent on LCHIP, a program to which the Governor already dedicated $12 million in his budget proposal. Other spending included $150,000 going to barn preservation, $535,000 to add Temple Mountain to a park system that is already running in the red, and adding a $100,000 new position to inspect public beaches, despite the Governor’s elimination of many state employee positions.

“It is irresponsible to be spending like this outside the budget process,” concluded Finance Committee Member and Republican Whip, Rep. Steve Stepanek.