Senate Republican Statement on Vote to Block Lynch's Raid of Doctors' Insurance Funds

Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon (R-Milford) released the following statement regarding today's decision by a legislative panel to block Governor Lynch's attempt to steal millions of dollars from a private insurance fund for health care providers:

"I am very pleased that legislators chose to uphold the ruling of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and protect this private property.  Governor Lynch's attempted unconstitutional raid shows the levels to which he will go to fund his four-year spending spree.  I call on Governor Lynch to withdraw his unlawful request."

Background: Today, the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) voted to reject a request from Governor Lynch to take over the private Joint Underwriting Authority (JUA) funds.  The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled earlier this year the JUA funds were private funds and out of the reach of state government.  Governor Lynch can either amend his request and resubmit it to JLCAR or withdraw it.

AFP NH - Join us this weekend!

I.   November is Coming!!   That isn’t just a saying but a motto that Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is attempting to live by.  If you have ever thought about being involved in an election, this is the year to make a difference.  It’s time to hold the big tax, big spending elected officials accountable for their irresponsible ways. 

I need you to join us this weekend as we remind citizens that November is Coming.  AFP will be hosting FREE November Is Coming events here in New Hampshire.  Please visit www.novemberiscoming.com for all the details or see below.

This Saturday, September 25th, we want you to join us at two locations in the First Congressional District. 

Join us this weekend (Saturday) as we bring the November Is Coming BUS to:

*Country Pond Fish and Game Club
82 Pond Street
Newton, NH
FREE SPORTSMEN’S BREAKFAST 
9:00 – 11:00 AM

*Rochester Fair Grounds
72 Lafayette Street
Rochester, NH
FREE TEE SHIRTS
11:30 – 3:00 PM

FREE LUNCH MONDAY, September 27th AFP-NH on behalf of November is Coming will be hosting a free lunch in Salem, at the Salem Elks Lodge, 39 Shadow Lake Road, (Rt. 111) from 11:30 – 1:30 PM.  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, let them know this is the time to get active. 
Enjoy a free lunch while learning how to become more involved.  It’s time to take back our state from the big spenders in Concord and Washington. 
To RSVP or for more information please e-mail me at corey.lewandowski@afphq.org or call 894-5881. 

II.   Help us stop John Lynch from STEALING PRIVATE MONEY !!

THIS FRIDAY at HIGH NOON in Room 308 of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) in Concord, the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) will hold a hearing to determine if the legislature will change the rules to allow the state to STEAL MONEY from the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Plan. 

According to the State Supreme Court Governor Lynch, attempted to break a thirty year old contract and steal private property in an effort to balance the state budget.  The reckless Lynch private property grab has now left New Hampshire with an additional $110 million in debt.  (Concord Monitor 1/29/10 & NHSR Press Release 1/22/10)

The doctors and nurses sued Lynch to stop the taking of private property and thankfully, the Supreme Court agreed and refused to allow Lynch to raid $110 million of private funds.
However, Governor Lynch doesn’t care what the court says.  He is trying to change state rules to take the money! 

On Friday the members of JLCAR can stop the Governor’s power grab and protect private property rights. YOU MUST CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AND URGE THEM TO VOTE AGAINST STEALING PRIVATE MONEY. 

What others say about this stealing:
“… the state’s move was an unconstitutional taking of private property.”(Kevin Landrigan, Nashua Telegraph, 1/29/2010)

“The state has illegally taken private property, which is scary” (Charles Arlinghaus, New Hampshire Union Leader, 7/9/2009)

The following is a list of the people who can stop this raid.  Please call them today.  If you can only call two people please make it the BOLD ones.

Member	Phone Number
Jacalyn Cilley	(603)664-5597
Martha Fuller Clark	(603) 431-6626
Amanda Merrill	(603)868-2491
Maurice Pilotte	(603)623-8173
Peter Schmidt	(603)743-3751
Betsey Patten	(603)253-6927
Suzanne Gottling	(603)763-5904
Alternatives
Kathy Sgambati	(603)286-8931
Matthew Houde	(603)504-2744
Betsi DeVries	(603) 647-0117
Kathleen Taylor	(603)823-8158
Kimberly Casey	(603)772-8506
Tara Sad	(603)756-4861
David Kidder	(603)526-4767

III.   I know you are sick and tired of hearing it but…. It is only with your financial assistance that we can continue to educate people across the state about smaller government, lower taxes and less government regulation.  Please donate today to Americans for Prosperity – New Hampshire. 
Thank you for all that you do. 
Sincerely,

Corey R. Lewandowski
State Director, New Hampshire
Americans for Prosperity



NHDP - Ayotte Ducks and Dodges JUA as Flip-Flops Haunt Campaign

New Email Released Shows Ayotte Heaped Praise on State Budget
 
CONCORD - In the latest example of Kelly Ayotte's continuing flip-flop on New Hampshire's JUA decision and her approval of last year's state budget, an email surfaced over the weekend where she praised passage of the budget, citing tough economic times [Nashua Telegraph, 3/21/10]. The budget included the nearly $110 million borrowed from the Joint Underwriting Association (JUA), a move that had been green-lighted by then-Attorney General Ayotte's Office.
 
The email released over the weekend contains further evidence of Ayotte's involvement in and support for last year's state budget, as she writes that she is "pleased to announce that the budget that was passed by the Legislature funds our budget at the level proposed by the governor much earlier this year. This is positive news given our economic situation" [Nashua Telegraph, 3/21/10]
 
"No matter how fast she runs, the JUA decision keeps catching up with Kelly Ayotte," said Emily Browne, Press Secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "She's doing everything she can to duck, dodge, and place responsibility elsewhere, but every week we see new evidence that she actually praised and defended the use of the JUA. This latest flip-flop just shows how Kelly Ayotte will say or do anything for political gain."  
 
Ayotte has been persistently dogged by the JUA decision on the campaign trail. Because the move was lambasted by Republicans across the state, Ayotte has been desperate to distance herself from the decision, stating last month that she said that she "didn't weigh in one way or another," and "only gave a legal opinion." Ayotte said she was actually opposed to the decision and would have voted against it were she a legislator [Union Leader, 2/4/10]. The Governor's Office has been quick to contradict her account, saying that "The Governor worked closely with the Attorney General's office on the development of the JUA policy. Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte never once raised an objection during the process." [WMUR, 2/3/10]

AJS to Lynch & Ayotte: Hands Off NH's Money

Alexandria, VA- Americans for Job Security launched advertisements today highlighting Governor John Lynch and Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte’s unconstitutional attempts to take private property. 

Governor John Lynch and his Attorney General Kelly Ayotte attempted one of the largest confiscations of private property in New Hampshire history. Together, they moved to drain the private medical malpractice funds of our doctors, nurses and healthcare providers. Thankfully the Supreme Court slapped down their $110 million raid of private funds.

 “The people of New Hampshire deserve to know the truth about John Lynch and Kelly Ayotte’s unconstitutional attempts to take private property,” said Stephen DeMaura president of AJS.

 “…the state’s move was an unconstitutional taking of private property,” Nashua Telegraph 1/29/2010

 “The Lynch-Ayotte mindset of private property confiscation to feed a bigger and ever growing government is fundamentally misguided,” added DeMaura. 

 “If John Lynch and Kelly Ayotte thought raiding the private accounts of Doctors, Nurses and health care providers was ok then what about the victims’ restitution fund, or College 529 savings plans?,” DeMaura said.

AJS’s initial effort includes a petition and website at www.HandsOffNH.com, as well as internet and direct mail advertising.

Americans for Job Security is a non-profit, non-partisan pro-business issue advocacy organization that promotes issues that strengthen the American economy. To learn more about AJS visit www.SaveJobs.org.

NHDP - Ayotte Runs Away from JUA

As Attorney General Ayotte Heaped Praise on JUA Decision - In Senate Race She's Quickly Backing Away

CONCORD - Republican senate candidate Kelly Ayotte is still refusing to take responsibility for green-lighting the use of $110 million from New Hampshire's Joint Underwriting Association to balance the state budget, despite offering heavy praise for the decision at the time [Nashua Telegraph, 2/7/10].

Governor Lynch's decision to use the funds occurred last year after then-Attorney General Ayotte's Office issued an opinion saying it was legally permissible. At the time, Ayotte praised her Office's legal opinion and the Assistant Attorney General in charge of it, saying "Your research and advocacy for the state in the JUA matter reflects your exceptional legal talent and commitment to the important work of the office." [Nashua Telegraph, 2/7/10]

"Kelly Ayotte is still running away from a decision she clearly made," said Emily Browne, Press Secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "After praising the opinion as Attorney General, Kelly the senate candidate is now trying to pretend she was against it all along - and not fooling anyone."

Ayotte began backing away from the JUA decision last week, when she said that she "didn't weigh in one way or another," and "only gave a legal opinion." Ayotte said she was actually opposed to the decision and would have voted against it were she a legislator [Union Leader, 2/4/10] The Governor's Office was quick to contradict her comments, saying: "The Governor worked closely with the Attorney General's office on the development of the JUA policy. Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte never once raised an objection during the process." [WMUR, 2/3/10]