CEI Today: High Speed Rail, Gambling, Green Energy, and CPAC

Thursday, February 9, 2012
In the News Today

Media Contacts: Christine Hall 202.331.2258 Nicole Ciandella 202.331.2773 CEI Experts by Issue Advancing Capitalism Constitutional and Legal Issues Energy and Environment Finance and Entrepreneurship Health and Safety Labor Nanny State Regulatory Reform Tech and Telecom Trade and International Transportation   Also featuring... CEI IN THE NEWS THE "FRED WEEKLY" February 2, 2012: McDonald's and Pepsi's Different Response to Pressure CEI Podcast for February 2, 2012: The FDA’s Latest Power Grab Fellow in Consumer Policy Studies Michelle Minton breaks down the FDA’s behind-the-scenes push to regulate dietary supplements nearly as strictly as prescription drugs. >Listen at Libertyweek.org

RAIL - HANS BADER OpenMarket.org: Even Liberal Reporters Sour on Stimulus-Funded California Rail Boondoggle Even reporters at the famously-liberal Los Angeles Times have soured on California’s $100 billion-plus rail boondoggle, whose cost will far outstrip whatever the state will get from the $800 billion stimulus package to build it.  But the paper’s editorial board, which supported the stimulus package, continues to back the project, which has ballooned in cost from $33 billion to over $100 billion.  (Managing to see the bright side of even the most pernicious government waste, the paper’s board cited other boondoggles with approval, like Boston’s disastrous Big Dig project, which resulted in motorist fatalities. It praised that infamous project for replacing “what used to be an expressway” with “a downtown park”, despite the fact that it caused “severe delays” for motorists and had a skyrocketing price tag of more than $15 billion.)     GAMBLING - MICHELLE MINTON OpenMarket.org: Utah Doubles Down on Gambling Prohibition It’s not news that regulators in Utah are often uncomfortable allowing residents to make their own decisions about how, when, or if they engage in morally questionable behavior. The Beehive State has a well-known bee in its bonnet when it comes to alcohol, but what many non-Utahans may not know is that it is just as strict, if not more so, when it comes to preventing residents from gambling — even if they are in their own home. As federal lawmakers and many states edge toward legalizing, regulating, and taxing online wagering, some Utah legislators want to clarify the letter of their state law to make it absolutely clear that their residents don’t have a choice: gambling in Utah is illegal, whether it’s at a business, in your home, or on your smart phone. ENERGY POLICY - IAIN MURRAY & DAVE BIER American Spectator: Obama's Amazing Energy Spin Machine The bankruptcy of Ener1, a "green energy" firm that got a $118 million stimulus grant, has brought the Obama administration's commitment to sinking billions of dollars into alternative energy boondoggles back into the spotlight. Unfortunately, President Obama remains committed to continuing down this wasteful path, as his statements about energy in his recent State of the Union Address made clear. While the president spent more time on the topic than any other policy area, he distorted the facts, misrepresented his plans, and ignored his record. CEI AT CPAC! CEI is a co-sponsor of this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Thursday, February 9 to Saturday, February 11 in Washington, D.C. CEI will have a table in the exhibit hall of the hotel, the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC.  Please stop by booth 1509 and say hello if you are attending CPAC. > Book CEI experts on Radio Row. > See CEI Speakers at CPAC: CPAC panel featuring Sam Kazman: The Red Tape War: How the Regulatory Burden and Growing Nanny State Threaten Prosperity Thursday, February 09, 2012 10:00 - 11:00 am Room "Wilson C" CPAC panel featuring Vincent Vernuccio: Return of Big Labor: What Can We Learn from Wisconsin & Ohio? Thursday, February 09, 2012 11:15 am – 12:00 pm Marshall Ballroom CPAC panel featuring Fred L. Smith, Jr. & Myron Ebell: The Obama EPA's Green Assault on American Jobs Thursday, February 09, 2012 4:15 - 5:00 pm Marshall Ballroom CPAC panel featuring Ryan Radia: Digital Liberty: Tying Government's Hands on Tech, Telecom, and the Web Friday, February 10, 2012 2:30 - 3:30 pm Maryland Room   CPAC panel featuring Alex Nowrasteh: Immigration - High Fences, Wide Gates: States vs. the Feds, the Rule of Law & American Identity Saturday, February 11, 2012 9:50 - 10:50 am Marriott Ballroom Visit Conservative.org/cpac for the full conference agenda. Ten Thousand Commandments By Wayne Crews Welcome to The Other National Debt -- The Cost of Regulation -> Read Today's Decrees CEI is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy group dedicated to the principles of free enterprise and limited government.  For more information about CEI, please visit our website, cei.org, and blogs, Globalwarming.org and OpenMarket.org.  Follow CEI on Twitter! Twitter.com/ceidotorg.

NH Council of Churches - New Date Casino Committee Work Session January 19 at 3:30pm

To Committee ... Do Not Resuscitate

Your calls and our messages have been working, so much so that HB-593 backers have been forced to schedule a special multi-committee work session (Thurs, Jan 19, 3:30 pm, LOB 210) to see if they can save the bill from defeat. 

While there will be no opportunity for the public to speak at this "save 593 from defeat" work session, your presence is important to show that the public is watching the casino lobbyists continuing attempts to pull off a back room deal to enrich their clients at our state's expense.

Arrive at 3:15 at the work session to speak personally with any of the below Reps you know or who represents you. If you can't make the work session, please phone and leave a brief message asking your representatives to oppose slot casinos in any form.

LAST	FIRST	CITY/TOWN	HOME	WORK
Abrami	Patrick	Stratham	772-3489	781-272-8001
Almy	Susan	Lebanon	448-4769	359-5557
Azarian	Gary	Salem	890-8669	898-9781
Butynski	William	Hinsdale	336-7498	336-7498
Cartwright	Anne	Alstead	756-3781
Cebrowski	John	Bedford	472-9113
Cohn	Seth	Canterbury	783-5693
Cooney	Mary	Plymouth	536-1141	798-3700
Coulombe	Gary	Berlin	752-1650	723-0102
Daugherty	Duffy	Colebrook	237-8618	728-8635
Davenport	Joshua	Newmarket	767-2166
Griffin	Mary	Windham	432-0959
Hamm	Chris	Hopkinton	746-4919
Hatch	William	Gorham	466-9491	306-6199
Hess	David	Hooksett	485-9027	801-4790
Huxley	Robert	Greenville
Itse	Daniel	Fremont	642-9403	702-0381
Katsiantonis	Thomas	Manchester	627-9652	606-4244
Krasucki	Joseph	Nashua	888-2956	885-3494
Luther	Robert	Laconia	524-4692
Major	Norman	Plaistow	382-5429	382-5429
McDonnell	John	Chichester	494-4521
Murphy	Keith	Bedford	471-3043	644-3535
Ober	Russell	Hudson	883-9654
Ohm	Bill	Nashua	891-2306	617-290-4114
Osgood	Joe	Claremont	543-0762	543-9744
Reichard	Kevin	Derry	432-0141	879-7000
Richardson	Gary	Hopkinton	746-4315	224-7791
Sanborn	Laurie	Loudon	682-1557
Sapareto	Frank	Derry	894-7083	894-4964
Schmidt	Andrew	Grantham	863-1247
Serlin	Christopher	Portsmouth	436-8184
Shuler	Wes	East Kingston	347-2011
Stepanek	Stephen	Milford	673-7658	801-9496
Ulery	Jordan	Hudson	882-8979	231-7867
Weeden	Michael	Dover	742-4009	312-2243

HB 593 is a casino bill that would allow construction and operation of two casinos to be built in New Hampshire and establishes a permit process for table gaming and video lottery.  

Click here to read more about HB 593

Click here to read NHCC's statement on expanded gambling

NH Religious News December 1, 2011

Action Alert - Stop Expanded Gambling  On January 3 or 4 the NH State House of Representatives will vote on HB-593, the casino bill that would allow construction and operation of two casinos to be built in New Hampshire and establishes a permit process for table gaming and video lottery.  While Governor Lynch did New Hampshire a great service by pledging to veto this or any casino bill, his term of office ends in about a year and some candidates for governor are already openly campaigning to legalize predatory slot casino gambling. Call Your Reps The NH Council of Churches is opposed to House Bill HB593 and we urge people of faith to call your state representatives this week asking them to vote NO to HB-593.  Click here to view NHCC's statement on expanded gambling.  Key Negatives of HB-593  Details Here  Creates Unfair, Unconstitutional Monopoly Market Saturation by MA Casinos - Leaves NH w Convenience Casinos Only - Revenue Cannibalization and Loss of Jobs at Existing NH Businesses The Great Give Away: HB-593 Written by Gambling Lobbyists, Very One Sided  Charity Wipeout Dangerously Weak Regulation  Crime, Addiction, and Moral Concerns   For more information on expanded gambling go to the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling's website: www.noslots.com From the NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty    This week the Concord Monitor published this article on the further expansion of the death penalty in New Hampshire:  Proposal Makes All Murders Death Penalty Eligible. PLEASE call to your elected officials and tell them how wrong this legislation is.  NH cannot afford this expansion either fiscally or morally.  This could be one of the most important phone calls you make this year!!!  Please help.  We only have about four weeks to explain why this is so wrong for New Hampshire.  To find your representatives, go here:  http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx    For more information about death penalty expansion in New Hampshire click go to the NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty website at http://www.nodeathpenaltynh.org/ NHCC Receives Two Matching Grant Challenges  Two denominational partners of the NH Council of Churches have recently made matching grants challenges to further the Council's work in prison ministry and social justice. In October the Office of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester announced that the Bishop's Charitable Assistance Fund was providing an outright grant of $2000 to assist with the spiritual needs of women who are incarcerated at the New Hampshire Women's State Prison in Goffstown. The Fund's Board also offered a challenge grant for up to $2000 to match new contributions for the NH Women's Prison Ministry and Ecumenical Chaplaincy between October 17th, 2011, and April 30th, 2012. The Women's Prison Ministry, with the Rev. Beth Richeson serving as chaplain in an active program of spiritual support for the incarcerated women of New Hampshire, is a primary ministry of the NH Council of Churches. In November, the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire offered the Council a challenge grant of $4000 to support the hiring of a part-time, year-round public policy expert to increase the Council's efficacy in advocating for justice issues in the state. With the legislature already active preparing bills for the next session, we need to move quickly to put a person in place. Please help us meet these challenges! Send your donations to the NH Council of Churches, PO Box 1087, Concord NH 03302-1087. Thank you! Worshiping Together Well "Truly 'ecumenical' worship is like a rocket that fires us into God's trajectory--the transformation of the whole world into family."  - Rev. Dr. Christopher Duraisingh Over thirty clergy and lay people from several denominations gathered together on November 4 to explore crafting liturgy within the context of inter-denominational communities.  This inspirational day opened with a lecture by the Rev. Dr. Christopher Duraisingh, a noted theologian on mission and the church.   After the lecture workshop participants split up into small groups to write together an ecumenical worship service of blessing for the upcoming primary elections.  Indeed the lessons learned at this workshop will have a wide impact on the work of faith groups throughout the state of New Hampshire.  Michelle Scott member of the NH Faith and Labor Union Work Group stated, "It dovetailed nicely with the work of the Faith/Labor Union.  I will be sharing ideas for an ecumenical worship service with them."

New Hampshire Catholic Bishop to be Installed     The Most Reverend Peter Anthony Libasci will be installed as the tenth Bishop of Manchester on December 8, 2011 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Manchester.   Due to limited space in St. Joseph Cathedral, the installation is open by invitation only to representative groups of the Church in New Hampshire, including representatives of every Catholic parish and school.  However, the installation will be broadcast and webcast live.  The webcast will appear on www.CatholicNH.org and www.WMUR.com.   For more information go to the Roman Catholic diocesan website, www.catholicnh.org, in the coming weeks. Visit the diocesan website for a full biography, photos, and video of Bishop Libasci. Observe Advent and Feed the Hungry  Ecumenical Resources from the Society of St. Andrew  Advent Booklet - Passing the Peace Passing the Peace is an Advent devotions and giving program to help keep us focused on Jesus' coming while we also provide a meaningful gift to feed hungry children and adults here in the United States. Through daily devotions, scriptures, and prayers, this Advent Devotions program will nourish your spirit while providing an opportunity to feed the hungry. For each day in Advent, this booklet provides: a suggested Scripture reading a reflection prepared especially to help you prepare yourself for the coming of the Christ Child a prayer to help you move into God's grace and to share God's grace with others. All materials for this Advent devotional program are free from the Society of St. Andrew.   Alternative Christmas Card   Honor your family and friends while feeding the Hungry.  While you and your family celebrate the joyous Christmas season, many Americans will experience first-hand the reality of hunger and poverty in our land of abundance. This Christmas, you can give them hope by the simple act of honoring your loved ones with a gift donation to feed the hungry. The Alternative Christmas Card was designed exclusively for the Society of St. Andrew by Texas artist Jerry Malzahn. The full-color, 7"x5" card features original art on the front. Inside is an original, inspirational verse. This one-of-a-kind card announces your generous gift to feed the hungry in the name of your chosen honoree(s). You will also receive the same card with St. Andrews thanks and confirmation of the number of people you honored. Each $12 gift donation to the Society of St. Andrew provides about 600 servings of fresh, nutritious food to America's hungry families. It's a sincere and loving way to feed the hungry and honor special people in your life. Each person you so honor will receive an exclusive Christmas Gift Donation Card announcing your generous gift in their name. To order these items from the Society of St. Andrew: -  online: www.endhunger.org/advent.htm -  by phone: 800-333-4597. From the National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative Advent is upon us and the latest issue of the National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative newsletter is here. People of faith across the nation have been working and praying for a faithful budget, forming circles of protection around vulnerable people. Despite the failure of the Super Committee and continued hardships of all who struggle with foreclosures and hunger, we live in an Advent season of hopeful anticipation. This hope is not based in naive optimism. Hope comes from the knowledge that just as God came to dwell with us in Christ Jesus, so too can God's reign become manifest on Earth. Each Advent, anticipating the coming of Jesus newly opens our hearts to God's grace, inviting us once again to give all the words of our mouths and mediations of our hearts over to God's purpose. May this season of Advent renew your sense of purpose, energy, and hope. May Christ's presence and peace be with you. And may a Christian hope re-kindle your spirit to put "the least of these" first in your prayers and actions.    Michael Livingston Director, National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative CFBI Are Looking for People of Faith with a Passion for Caring for Children  Do you have a passion for children in foster and/or adoptive care?The NH Division for Children Youth and Families (DCYF) and Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS) Community and Faith Based (CFBI) Advisory Council needs representation from people of NH faith communities to join their advisory council.    The advisory council meets six times per year in the Concord area on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:00am.  They are working with technology that will allow attendance via computer as well. Click here more information. Blue Christmas Service Bow Mills United Methodist church will be hosting a quiet service of prayer, reflection and music for those having difficulty during this season, due to grief, depression, illness, family situations and other struggles. This will be a time to acknowledge feelings of sadness and concern, to remember that we are not alone, and encouragement to live the days ahead. Wednesday December 21 7:00PM Bow Mills United Methodist Church 505 South St. Bow Mills, NH For more information contact 603-224-0884.  All are welcome.  Request to Complete Survey  The Merrimack County Coordinated Community Response Team is asking for your help.  To improve their community responses to and services for older adults throughout the county who experience abuse in later life one of their first steps is to gather information from older adults and those who serve them. As a representative of a faith based group or organization that interacts with older adults, they would appreciate some information from you that will help them plan and implement new strategies for addressing the growing problem of abuse in later life. Please take about 10 minutes of your time to complete an electronic survey using the link below:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8GQQBND By clicking on this link - or pasting it into your browser - you will be able to fill out the survey and send it back to us electronically. Thank you very much for your help.  Your responses are valued and much appreciated!  A summary report of the survey findings will be available in early 2012.

NHCC/NHBS Office Closed for Vacation Our office will be closed December 1-9.  It will be open again on December 12 during our regular hours of 9-2 Monday through Thursday.   Check Out Our Website    www.nhchurches.org If you have ideas or events to share, send your information to info@nhchurches.org or call Jean at 603-224-1352.  Thanks! NH Council of Churches Needs You! The New Hampshire Council of Churches as the state's ecumenical vehicle for unity and inter-religious actions needs your support: Prayers Sharing our concerns and your concerns with each other. Funds to continue incarnating God's annunciation of the Good News. Donate now by mailing your tax exempt donation to: New Hampshire Council of Churches PO Box 1087 Concord, NH  03302-1087

CEI Daily - Bank of America, Sports Betting, and Regulation

Bank of America

After announcing that they would impose new debit card fees on costumers in response to Dodd-Frank, Bank of America has backtracked and announced they've changed their minds. Director of the Center for Investors and Entrepreneurs John Berlau comments. "Long before BofA and the other banks announced plans for this specific fee, there was bipartisan concern — including that of Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz – that the the Durbin price controls would shift the costs of processing debit cards from some of  the nation’s wealthiest retailers to hard-pressed consumers. And despite the dropping of these specific fees, these fears have proven to be justified."

Sports Betting

New Jersey voters will soon vote on whether or to legalize sports betting in the state.

Policy Analyst Michelle Minton comments.

"According to preliminary results, residents overwhelming favor legalization. Yet, even if residents are 100 percent in favor of sports betting, the process of actually making it legal, like a “Jersey Shore” character, is going to be loud and ugly. That’s because there are several federal laws that make the activity illegal in all but four states."

Regulation

Over Halloween weekend, Research Associate Matthew Melchiorre penned an op-ed in The Daily Caller on Uncle Sam as a "goblin" of frightening regulations.

Read here.

CORNERSTONE THANKS MA FOR ENDING CASINO DEBATE IN NH

Says Massachusetts Now Over-Saturating Market with Four New Casinos

MANCHESTER - This week, it was reported that legislative leaders in Massachusetts along with Governor Deval Patrick have reached an agreement to allow the construction of three new casino resorts and one ‘racino’ located throughout the state – including one just south of the New Hampshire boarder.   Legislative passage of the new casino facilities at this point is considered all but a formality.

In addition, the State of Maine has recently approved language to be placed on a ballot referendum this fall that would allow the construction of two new casinos in addition to the existing two already in that state.

Commenting on these developments was Cornerstone Action Executive Director, Kevin Smith:

“Once again, our neighbor to the south is leading the way in how not to grow an economy and improve the quality of life for its citizens.  At the same time, with Massachusetts now saturating the casino market with four new facilities, along with Maine considering adding two more casinos in addition to their existing two, it should be abundantly clear to lawmakers here that there is no market for casinos in New Hampshire – and the Granite State is better off for it.”

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Cornerstone-Action is the legislative and issue advocacy arm of Cornerstone Policy Research.