NHGOP CALLS ON HASSAN TO WITHDRAW NOMINATION OF TEAMSTER LOBBYIST

Concord – New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Horn today called on Governor Maggie Hassan to withdraw the nomination of Teamster lobbyist and political coordinator Dennis Caza to the state Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission. The Union Leader today reported on conflicts of interest that could be generated by his confirmation. 

"In order to uphold public trust in the Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission, Governor Hassan needs to immediately withdraw her nomination of a prominent Teamster political organizer and lobbyist. The appointment of a Hassan political crony who is beholden to union bosses and special interest groups would undermine confidence in the work of the commission."

“Granite Staters expect Governor Hassan to appoint qualified and independent individuals to positions in state government. They do not want the governor to stack boards and commissions with patronage appointments who will stand with well-funded special interest groups instead of standing up for the people of New Hampshire."

Co-Chair of Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee Invites Governor Hassan to Explain Status of MOU

CONCORD – Today John B. Hunt (R-Rindge), Co-Chair of the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee, hand delivered the following letter to Governor Hassan’s office, inviting her to attend the committee’s meeting Tuesday morning. In prior communication with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Governor referenced explicitly that, “This letter of intent is provided with the understanding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the expectations, roles and responsibilities of the State of New Hampshire in a Partnership Exchange will not impose a cost on the state's general fund or create new state programs.” It is the impression of Rep. Hunt and of others on the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee that despite previous commitments, an MOU is no longer being pursued.

The letter is attached and reads as follows:

Governor Margaret Hassan

State House
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301

April 8^th, 2013

Your Excellency,

As you are aware, the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee will be meeting at 8:00A.M. on Tuesday, April 8, in room 302 of the LOB.  The committee is planning to review and possibly approve the MOU between the State of New Hampshire and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as referenced in your letter of intent to the Secretary on February 13, 2012.  (“This letter of intent is provided with the understanding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the expectations, roles, and responsibilities of the State of New Hampshire in a Partnership Exchange will not impose a cost on the state’s general fund or create new state programs.”)

Unfortunately, we have been unable to obtain a copy of the MOU from your staff or the Department of Insurance after repeated requests.  Most recently they have informed us they have unilaterally decided not to execute an MOU despite approval of the partnership letter which included the requirement of a MOU, as well as your previous commitment to work in collaboration with the state legislature on such a document to ensure that New Hampshire maintains flexibility and taxpayers are protected financially.  If true, this is very troubling development. 

Like you, we wish to work collaboratively with the executive branch to ensure that if New Hampshire moves forward with a Partnership Exchange we do so in a way that promotes preservation of private health insurance to the greatest degree possible, minimizes overhead and administrative expenses of the exchange, promotes competition and consumer choice, and preserves the state’s insurance regulatory authority and the state’s flexibility in determining Medicaid eligibility standards, program design, and operations.  That is exactly what the MOU is supposed to help us do. 

Therefore, as co-chairman of the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee I am respectfully requesting that you attend our meeting on April 8^th so that we can discuss the status of the MOU and the process for moving forward.  If due to the late date of this letter you are unable to attend please send whoever in your office is authorized to discuss this issue on your behalf.

Respectfully,

Rep. John Hunt

NH Senate - GOP Members of Joint Health Care Oversight Committee Call Out Governor Hassan on Broken Promises and Lack of Transparency

The New Hampshire Senate

Majority Office

Concord, NH - Republican members of the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee today issued the following statements after disclosure from Governor Hassan’s office as well as the Department of Insurance that her administration would no longer be pursuing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the federal government with regards to the implementation of the Health Care Exchange Partnership as was originally promised to the committee last month.  The Hassan Administration has instead indicated an intention to move forward with the proposed partnership without an agreed upon MOU.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Andy Sanborn (R-Bedford) said:

“The Governor’s suggestion that she can single-handedly implement ObamaCare in New Hampshire without a contract or MOU of how the federal government is going to take over providing insurance to New Hampshire citizens is astonishing.  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) will forever change how insurance is provided to the people of this state and the Governor’s office is now deliberately pulling back on a promise to be transparent and disrespecting the legislative process.  This act of purposefully withholding details on ACA implementation only further suggests the Governor and Washington bureaucrats do not want the legislature, taxpayers, or small business owners to know the details or costs of this expansion.  New Hampshire government does not operate under the cover of darkness, and the Governor needs to bring an MOU to the Oversight Committee, as promised, showing a complete, detailed plan of how she intends to implement this costly venture.”

Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) said:

“I am extremely disappointed that, after promising legislative oversight, Governor Hassan is seemingly reneging on that promise.  I am concerned a Health Care Exchange partnership will not protect taxpayers, will increase consumer confusion, and subvert New Hampshire sovereignty.  Those concerns are heightened when it appears the Governor’s office is choosing to not layout the next steps of this process in a MOU as they had earlier indicated they would.”

Representative John Hunt (R-Cheshire 11) said:

“After listening to the presentation from the Executive Branch, I conceded to considering the state enter into a partnership exchange to protect New Hampshire’s interests, specifically because the Governor’s office committed to providing an MOU to our committee which would provide complete details on how the ACA would be implemented.  Now that the Governor has refused to share an MOU, the people of this state have no idea on the cost, timing, affects and options associated with how the exchange, partnership and plan management will be enacted and operated.  It is exceptionally disturbing to see the Governor attempt to implement the ACA, void of real, honest transparency on this important issue and I do hope the Governor reconsiders such a reckless action knowing how much money, time and effort is at stake here.”

Note: The next meeting of the Joint Health Care Reform Oversight Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9^th at 8:00AM.

Republican Liberty Caucus - HASSAN SLAMS THE DOOR ON GRANITE STATERS ON ‘STAND YOUR GROUND’ LEGISLATION

HASSAN SLAMS THE DOOR ON GRANITE STATERS ON ‘STAND YOUR GROUND’ LEGISLATION

“Granite Staters were outraged at the New Hampshire House’s vote to repeal legislation that would play such a vital role in citizens protecting themselves when faced with a deadly threat. However, they are equally infuriated that Governor Maggie Hassan’s response to repeated requests for her position on the repeal was to slam her car door.”
Last month, the Democrat-controlled New Hampshire House narrowly passed HB 135, the repeal bill that would strip away the rights of citizens to stand their ground and protect themselves, others and their properties when faced with a deadly threat.

Granite Staters are asking Governor Maggie Hassan to stand up for New Hampshire families and their right to protect themselves. However, when asked at an event in Concord today, the Governor refused repeated attempts for her position on the repeal of the commonly called “Stand Your Ground” bill.

Video of Governor Maggie Hassan can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/IzrbGwaNmho

Gov. Maggie Hassan runs away on "Stand Your Ground" legislation Granite Staters want Governor Hassan to oppose HB 135, the repeal bill that would strip away the rig...

Governor Hassan to Nominate Joseph Foster of Nashua to Serve as Attorney General

Office of New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan

Foster is Respected Attorney, Former State Senate Leader  

CONCORD – Focusing on ensuring safety and justice for the people of New Hampshire, Governor Maggie Hassan announced today that she will nominate Joseph Foster of Nashua, a respected attorney and former state Senate leader, to serve as New Hampshire’s next Attorney General.

Foster, of Nashua, has served as the chair of the management committee for one of New Hampshire’s largest law firms, McLane Law Firm, where he currently chairs the bankruptcy practice. In addition, Foster served as State Senator for New Hampshire’s 13^th District from 2002-2008, rising to Majority Leader in 2007. During his tenure as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2004 to 2008 under both Democratic and Republican majorities, Foster led efforts to enact measures ensuring justice for the people of New Hampshire, including the Sexual Predators Act, one of the toughest laws in the nation protecting New Hampshire’s children from child predators.

“The role of Attorney General in protecting and ensuring justice for the people of New Hampshire is one of the highest responsibilities in our state,” Governor Hassan said. “I am confident that Joe’s judgment and experience make him the ideal candidate to serve as New Hampshire’s chief legal and law enforcement officer.

“Throughout his career as an attorney and public servant, Joe Foster has stood up and defended the cause of justice at every opportunity. As Senate Judiciary chair, he brought people together to pass tough laws to protect our children from predators and to improve our justice system,” Governor Hassan said. “His extensive legal experience will be invaluable in addressing the complex civil litigation facing the state, and in our ongoing efforts to improve protections for consumers.”

“I am profoundly honored by the trust Governor Hassan has placed in me to lead the New Hampshire Department of Justice as Attorney General,” Foster said. “If I am confirmed, I will work hard every day to protect public safety and ensure justice for all of our citizens.”

Prior to serving as State Senator, Foster served in the House of Representatives from 1995-1998. Foster received his J.D. from George Washington University in 1984 and his B.A. from Tufts University in 1981.

Foster’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the Executive Council. Governor Hassan will formally nominate Foster to the Council at Wednesday’s meeting.