NH House Republican Leader Comments on Bill to Allow Counties to Adopt County Income Tax

CONCORD – Today House Republican Leader Gene G. Chandler (R-Bartlett) offered the following comments relative to the public hearing on House Bill 330, a bill that would allow counties to adopt a county income tax to be administered by the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA).

House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett)

“This is a great example of the legislative process in New Hampshire. You can file any bill, no matter how frivolous and it will get a fair and open public hearing. We appreciate Rep. Burridge’s candor in his legislation, but I just can’t imagine this bill has any chance of survival. New Hampshire has a proud tradition of being income tax free. We intend on keeping the entire state, including Rep. Burridge’s county, income tax free.”

"YES ON 1" RALLY TO BE HELD IN NASHUA ON OCT. 24TH

Congressman Charlie Bass to be featured speaker

Nashua, NH - Kevin Smith, former gubernatorial candidate and Chair of the No Income Tax PAC, and Jennifer Horn, founder of We The People: A First In The Nation Freedom Forum, announced today that they will be hosting a “No Income Tax” Rally to be held in Nashua.

The event will take place on Wednesday, October 24th at 6:30pm at Norton’s Classic Café at 233 Main St, Nashua. Congressman Charlie Bass will be the featured speaker.

"The No Income Tax rally provides a great opportunity to continue to the get message out and educate voters about ballot question number one,” said Smith. “Additionally, I am pleased that Congressman Bass will be speaking to the importance of passing this amendment, unlike his opponent who apparently wants to keep an income tax on the table for future legislatures and governors."

Horn also commented,  “Passing question one will be a giant step toward preserving limited government in New Hampshire. This rally is a great opportunity to further inform NH voters about the ballot question and how important our tax-free status is in keeping government small and non-intrusive. We take this opportunity to call on Maggie Hassan, Annie Kuster and Carol Shea-Porter to put the best interests of NH citizens first and announce publicly their support for Ballot Question One."

Bass For Congress - Annie Kuster Runs from Long Record of NH Income Tax Support

Kuster Says She’s Flip-flopped on the Income Tax – but with a Qualifier

Concord, NH – A day after grabbing a microphone from Charlie Bass during a debate, and just over two weeks since she grabbed a camera from a Bass for Congress campaign staffer during a public event, liberal Democrat Annie Kuster is denying her record as one of New Hampshire’s most ardent income tax supporters – sort of. Kuster grabbed a microphone from Charlie Bass during his closing statement at the Southern New Hampshire Jewish Men’s Club forum Sunday, October 7, 2012. When Bass continued delivering his statement, Kuster leaned over to the microphone, interrupted Bass, and denied her long record of supporting income tax for New Hampshire.

Today, in a Concord Monitor story, Kuster’s campaign manager Garrick Delzell attempts to qualify Kuster’s position, “She had been on the board of a political action committee that advocated a state income tax in the late 1990s, Delzell conceded, but she doesn't support one now, given the fragile state of the economy.”

Bass for Congress spokesperson Scott Tranchemontagne responded, “Passing an income tax in New Hampshire was a passion for Annie Kuster.  More than just support an income tax, Kuster fought for it. She helped direct PAC funds to pro-income tax candidates, to defeat candidates like Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who did not support one. It’s just not credible for Kuster to say a few weeks before a close election that she has suddenly changed her mind about the one issue on which she has been most active during her political career.”

Tranchemontagne noted Kuster did not deny her income tax support during the Democratic Primary campaign in 2010, and the economy was worse at that time. Rather, Kuster ducked addressing the income tax issue when challenged during a debate by Katrina Swett.

“Swett also called Kuster a "vigorous supporter of an income tax in New Hampshire." Kuster supported former state senator Mark Fernald in his 2002 gubernatorial bid, citing at the time his support for an income tax to stabilize education funding in the state. Kuster did not respond last night to several of Swett's references to an income tax.”   Concord Monitor, September 9, 2010

Annie Kuster’s Record of Pro-Income Tax Activism

• Kuster has been a longtime supporter of a statewide income tax. In 1999 Kuster joined the board of the “Courage and Leadership PAC” – a group dedicated to imposing an income tax on New Hampshire. The PAC, founded by pro-income tax activist Gary Hirshberg, raised money to support “candidates of either party who support an income tax.” (Boston Globe, 7/4/1999).
  
  
• “In the letter, Hirshberg said the goal of the PAC is to ‘examine and educate the public on ALL fair taxation’ options for education funding. Translation: They favor the income tax but they won’t rule out talking about other options. That is except for one big one dear to the heart of the Senate president, Junie Blasidell, and Governor Jeanne Shaheen - expanded gambling. The PAC says it will have no part of it.” (Boston Globe, 7/4/1999)

• “Other members of the PAC board include possible congressional candidate Glen Secor, former Concord mayor Martin Gross, Ann McLane Kuster, Harold Janeway of Concord, Meg Hirshberg and Mary Townsend Scheffey.”  (Boston Globe, 7/4/1999)

During the 2010 Democrat primary for Congress in New Hampshire’s 2^nd District, Kuster’s opponent called her a “vigorous supporter of an income tax in New Hampshire” for supporting legendary income tax advocate Mark Fernald in his gubernatorial primary campaign against Jeanne Shaheen in 2000. Kuster also supported Fernald for governor in 2002.

• “No hard feelings. Democratic activist Ann McLane Kuster, who bucked the party line and backed [Mark Fernald] for governor in the primary, received the party’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award on Oct. 19.” (Boston Globe, October 29, 2000)

• On Sept. 9, 2010, the Concord Monitor reported, “[Katrina] Swett also called Kuster a ‘vigorous supporter of an income tax in New Hampshire.’ Kuster supported former state senator Mark Fernald in his 2002 gubernatorial bid, citing at the time his support for an income tax to stabilize education funding in the state.”

Tranchemontagne concluded, “Annie Kuster has been running and dancing from her record of fighting for a New Hampshire income tax, but the voters will see through it. After all, Kuster proudly supports the president’s health care law and its medical device tax that will directly impact 3,700 New Hampshire jobs. She has made a small business tax that will cost the state another 3,400 jobs - disguised as a tax hike on the ‘rich’ - a centerpiece of her campaign. Kuster publicly supports a national energy tax that will cost the state up to 9,500 jobs. It’s very easy for voters to conclude that Kuster’s answer to just about every problem is to raise taxes and spend more money.”

Annie Kuster Grabs Bass’ Microphone during Debate, Denies NH Income Tax Support

Kuster Fought for NH Income Tax – Directed PAC Funds to Income Tax Candidates

Concord, NH – Just over two weeks since Annie Kuster grabbed a camera from a Bass for Congress staffer during a public event near the Statehouse steps in Concord, Kuster grabbed a microphone from Charlie Bass during his closing statement at the Southern New Hampshire Jewish Men’s Club forum Sunday, October 7, 2012. When Bass continued delivering his statement, Kuster leaned over to the microphone, interrupted Bass and denied her long record of supporting income tax for New Hampshire, accusing Bass of misrepresenting her record.

Kuster reached out and grabbed the microphone as Bass was reminding voters that Kuster actively fought for a New Hampshire income tax when she served on the board of a pro-income tax political action committee, which directed funds to candidates who supported an income tax.

• Kuster has been a longtime supporter of a statewide income tax. In 1999 Kuster joined the board of the “Courage and Leadership PAC” – a group dedicated to imposing an income tax on New Hampshire. The PAC, founded by pro-income tax activist Gary Hirshberg, raised money to support “candidates of either party who support an income tax.” (Boston Globe, 7/4/1999).
  
  
• “In the letter, Hirshberg said the goal of the PAC is to ‘examine and educate the public on ALL fair taxation’ options for education funding. Translation: They favor the income tax but they won’t rule out talking about other options. That is except for one big one dear to the heart of the Senate president, Junie Blasidell, and Governor Jeanne Shaheen - expanded gambling. The PAC says it will have no part of it.” (Boston Globe, 7/4/1999)

• “Other members of the PAC board include possible congressional candidate Glen Secor, former Concord mayor Martin Gross, Ann McLane Kuster, Harold Janeway of Concord, Meg Hirshberg and Mary Townsend Scheffey.”  (Boston Globe, 7/4/1999)

During the 2010 Democrat primary for Congress in New Hampshire’s 2^nd District, Kuster’s opponent called her a “vigorous supporter of an income tax in New Hampshire” for supporting legendary income tax advocate Mark Fernald in his gubernatorial primary campaign against Jeanne Shaheen in 2000. Kuster also supported Fernald for governor in 2002.

• “No hard feelings. Democratic activist Ann McLane Kuster, who bucked the party line and backed [Mark Fernald] for governor in the primary, received the party’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award on Oct. 19.” (Boston Globe, October 29, 2000)

• On Sept. 9, 2010, the Concord Monitor reported, “[Katrina] Swett also called Kuster a ‘vigorous supporter of an income tax in New Hampshire.’ Kuster supported former state senator Mark Fernald in his 2002 gubernatorial bid, citing at the time his support for an income tax to stabilize education funding in the state.”

“As New Hampshire will be asked to vote this year on a constitutional amendment to ban income taxes in New Hampshire, Annie Kuster continues to dance around her long record of activism promoting a New Hampshire income tax,” said Bass for Congress spokesman, Scott Tranchemontagne.

Tranchemontagne added that Kuster should simply tell voters the truth about her record pushing for a New Hampshire income tax.  “Annie Kuster proudly supports the president’s health care law and its medical device tax that will directly impact 3,700 New Hampshire jobs. She has made a small business tax that will cost the state another 3,400 jobs - disguised as a tax hike on the ‘rich’ - a centerpiece of her campaign. Kuster publicly supports a national energy tax that will cost the state up to 9,500 jobs. It’s baffling as to why Annie Kuster won’t admit what her own record shows, that she has been one of the strongest income tax advocates in New Hampshire since the 1990s.”

Smith to head up effort on Constitutional Question Banning an Income Tax

YES ON 1 NO INCOME TAX

Smith to head up effort on Constitutional Question Banning an Income Tax

Ballot Question #1 Would Prohibit Enacting an Income Tax as Part of the State Constitution

Concord – Today, former gubernatorial candidate, Kevin Smith, announced that he will be heading up an effort between now and the November election to educate the voters about the importance of passing ballot question #1, a constitutional amendment which would prohibit an income tax from ever being enacted.  Smith, who was joined by both elected officials and grassroots activists from around the state, said the effort will consist of  both an aggressive grassroots campaign aimed at educating and turning out voters on this issue in November, as well as some paid media, through the No Income Tax PAC, to bring about more awareness to the issue.  Smith also noted that three former governors will also be serving as Honorary Co-Chairmen of the effort: Governor John H. Sununu, Governor Stephen Merrill, and Governor Craig Benson.

Speaking to reporters today, Smith made the following remarks:

"I am happy to be spearheading this effort to educate the voters about the importance of passing ballot question number one, which would forever take off the table any talk of implementing a broad-based income tax in our state.  Every legislative session, liberal politicians seem to keep bringing up this issue despite the fact that New Hampshire's economy has weathered many economic storms much better than surrounding states because of the fact that we do not have a broad-based sales or income tax.  To that end, I look forward to working with grassroots activists from around the state over the next month to ensure that when the voters head to the polls this November, we send any notion of ever having an income tax in New Hampshire to the ash heap of history by passing question one."

Also issuing a statement, was former New Hampshire Governor, John H. Sununu:

"New Hampshire has long enjoyed an important economic advantage by not having a broad based tax. Furthermore, our lack of an income tax has also had the important effect of preventing state government from growing too fast at the expense of local control. One of the wonderful assets of New Hampshire is that we have maintained the power and involvement of our citizens in community governance by keeping significant control of our tax base within our towns and cities. I believe that adding a prohibition of an income tax to our Constitution will strengthen our capacity to preserve that community based character of New Hampshire."

 The constitutional amendment question #1 will read as follows on the ballot this November:

Constitutional Amendment Proposed by the 2012 General Court

1.  “Are you in favor of amending the second part of the constitution by inserting after article 5-b a new article to read as follows: [Art.] 5-c. [Income Tax Prohibited.]  Notwithstanding any general or special provision of this constitution, the general court shall not have the power or authority to impose and levy any assessment, rate, or tax upon income earned by any natural person; however, nothing in this Article shall be construed to prohibit any tax in effect January 1, 2012, or adjustment to the rate of such a tax.”  (Passed by the N.H. House 256 Yes 110 No; Passed by State Senate 19 Yes 4 No) CACR 13  Yes  No