NH Politics

With a new governor, a divided statehouse, and continued uncertainty over federal spending, New Hampshire lawmakers are preparing to hammer out a budget.  It’s never a particularly easy process.  But hopes are high at the statehouse that this session, the inevitable fiscal fights will be more muted.

In her inaugural address earlier this month, Democratic governor Maggie Hassan struck a bipartisan tone about the state’s finances.

After her sizable victory in November, Hassan was officially sworn in today, as New Hampshire's 81st Governor.  In her speech she spoke of her hopes of a bipartisan and collaborative legislature. We'll  play back excerpts from her speech and see what’s ahead for “Day One” and beyond.

 Guests

Josh Rogers – NHPR Statehouse Reporter.

Kevin Landrigan — Statehouse and political reporter for the Nashua Telegraph.

We have a roundtable of State House and Senate leaders, on what’s in store for this new Legislative session.  Democrats, who take the reins in both the corner office and the House, are already aiming to modify or repeal some of the changes passed by the GOP last session, including on guns and voter ID…we’ll look at that, and  at the biannual budget process…already underway.

Guests

In just a few weeks, the Governor steps down, after eight years in office.  We’ll talk with a roundtable of Granite Staters about his handling of everything from the economy to education to the environment.   We’ll also look at the “Lynch Style”…a low-key approach to governing that was, at times criticized as a lack of leadership.

Guests

Josh Rogers – Statehouse Reporter for NHPR

The former Republican U.S. Senator from New Hampshire died Monday night, at age eighty-two.  For decades, Rudman was a prominent voice in New Hampshire and National politics…on deficit reduction, homeland security, and campaign finance.  We’ll look back at his long career with Granite Staters who knew him.

Click here to listen to Warren Rudman's featured appearance on the Exchange during our 25 in 25 series back in 2007.

Guests:

We answer any final questions you have before you go to vote.  From debates, to political ads to stories and shows on NHPR, you’ve been given a lot of information, but maybe there’s a topic you haven’t heard much about or that one question that may sway you to one side or another. Today a panel of experts joins us to give you any final information you need before Election day.

Guests

Ballot question one asks if New Hampshire should permanently prohibit an income tax?  In next month's election, Granite Staters will have to vote 'yes' or 'no' on this proposed change to the state's constitution. Supporters say this would settle a longstanding debate once and for all. Opponents say it would damage the state's fiscal standing. Today, we're taking a look at the arguments both pro and con to this question and answer any questions you may have before you head to the ballot box.

Guests

A proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this November would give the legislature final say over judicial rules and procedures.  That has some in the legal community incensed over what they consider to be a power grab by the legislature. But others in that same legal community think it simply restores authority appropriately to the people’s representatives.

On Monday,  it was First Congressional District  hopefuls Frank Guinta and Carol Shea Porter, Tuesday, Charlie Bass and Ann McClane Custer of the Second District duked it out and yesterday, candidates for Governor, Maggie Hassan and Ovide Lamoontagne debated their views. We’ll look at the issues raised, who said what and where these campaign go from here. 

Guests

Josh Rodgers - New Hampshire's Senior Political Reporter.

Mike Cote - Business Editor for the Union Leader

Last night the sides were drawn for races from the State Senate to Executive Council, but perhaps the most closely watched was the Governor’s where Maggie Hassan won for the Democrats and Ovide Lamontagne was victorious for the Republicans.  We look at who won, and where these races may go in the next eight weeks. 

Guests

In just a few days New Hampshire  Republicans and Democrats will choose their nominees for Governor….after a lively campaign on both sides, with competing ideas on some major issues….such as taxes, prisons, and health care. We’ll look at all the candidates, what they’re saying and how they might stack up against each other in a general election.

Guests

Our coverage of New Hampshire’s Gubernatorial Primary continues today with Republican Ovide Lamontagne.  The Manchester lawyer and former candidate for Senate, Congress and Governor is once again running for the state’s highest office, as a solid conservative on both social and fiscal matters. We’ll get his stance on the issue and why he thinks he’s the best choice for Republicans this fall.

Guest

• Ovide Lamontagne - Manchester Attorney and a Republican Candidate for Governor.

William O'Brien, The Republican House Speaker from Mont Vernon, has kept himself in the headlines over the past two years, both for his leadership and for dramatic changes in state government.  Some Granite Staters praise O’Brien for following through on promises made during the election and shaking up state politics, but others call him a “polarizing figure” and even a “bully.”  We sit down with him to talk about the past two years and his hopes for the November Elections.

Guest