State House Dome: GOP's enhanced voter ID law holds up

Nov. 4—HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Superior Court Judge Charles Temple upheld a 2022 Republican-backed law that requires those without identification to submit proof of eligibility within a week of voting or have their votes nullified.

Former Republican state Sen. Bob Giuda was the chief sponsor of the bill (SB 418), which had the support of Senate President Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro.

The decision was a victory for Secretary of State David Scanlan and Attorney General John Formella, as well as the RITE PAC (Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections) and the state and national Republican parties.

"Preferring an election honor system is not a sufficient reason to insert chaos into New Hampshire's elections," said Derek Lyons, president and CEO of RITE PAC.

"The reason these dark-money funded activists could not identify any rights affected by SB 418 is because every eligible voter who wants to vote in New Hampshire can vote — easily."

Its opponents argued this new "affidavit ballot" would violate nine provisions of the state Constitution.

The lawsuit was dismissed for lack of standing by those who brought it, including liberal election reform lawyer Marc Elias and the 603 Forward and Open Democracy Action organizations.

This means a challenge could be brought in the future.

Pappas hit over donor

Republican congressional candidate Hollie Noveletsky criticized U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., for taking political contributions from a group she said was not friendly to Israel.

Pappas got $8,000 from the Build our Movement PAC, which is aligned with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington.

Jayapal refused to support a recent congressional resolution that supported Israel and condemned Hamas terrorists for their attacks. She also came under fire earlier this year for calling Israel a "racist state."

"Leadership is about actions, not just words, but it seems to be about political expediency for Chris. I sincerely hope he'll return the money and condemn the blatantly antisemitic actions of colleagues in his caucus ," said Noveletsky, a Jewish American.

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said voters will not buy what Noveletsky is trying to sell.

"People know Congressman Pappas works for New Hampshire, and he is a steadfast ally of Israel. To suggest otherwise is downright laughable, and it's a sign Hollie is scraping the barrel for ways to draw attention to her campaign," Buckley said.

Yawn: another big month

State revenues continue to perform so consistently over forecast that it's almost not news.

October doesn't feature a lot of periodic taxes and fees, but it still didn't disappoint.

The state's two business taxes again led the way for all revenues to come in $25 million (17.8%) over plan for the month.

Through the first four months, the state has a $61.9 million revenue surplus (8.3%). This total is $38 million (5%) more than during the same period in 2022.

Thanks to some big jackpots, the state lottery's contribution of $18.3 million was nearly 30% over expectations for October.

On the other hand, the downward trend continues for taxes on real estate and tobacco, according to the monthly Revenue Focus.

Vets back Ayotte

More than 100 veterans are backing former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte's Republican campaign for governor, led by her husband, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Joe Daley.

"Coming from a military family, honoring our commitment to veterans is deeply personal to me. My grandfather served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, my husband Joe was an A-10 pilot in the Air Force and our daughter Kate is following in her father's footsteps as a cadet at the Air Force Academy. I understand the sacrifice that our service members and their families make every day," Ayotte said.

Prominent supporters include Marine Corps vets Hillsborough County Attorney John Coughlin of Amherst and Bedford auto dealer Andy Crews, Navy retiree Jim Adams of Pittsfield, Army vet and state Rep. Jess Edwards of Auburn and Air Force vets and Reps. John Potucek of Derry, Ken Weyler of Kingston and Michael Vose of Epping.

Reps get extension

At its recent session, the House approved a deadline change that gives legislators two extra weeks to sign off proposed bills for the 2024 session.

The was moved from Friday to Nov. 17.

All committees have until then to make recommendations on more than 200 bills retained from the 2023 session.

Eight policy committees will hold executive sessions over the first four days next week.

Friday the State House is closed to mark Veterans Day.

Kuster skis to the bank

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., has a talent for two things that are very related — raising money and cruising to reelection.

Her five terms are a record for a Democrat in the 2nd Congressional District.

Kuster will be raking in more dollars next spring. Already the word is out for her "Spring Ski Weekend" next March 15-18 at the Jackson Hole ski resort in Wyoming.

This is a pretty expensive run down the mountain — $1,500 for a person and $2,500 for PACs.

Her special guests will include three colleagues — U.S. Reps. Susie Lee of Nevada, Lori Trahan of Massachusetts and Jim Hines of Connecticut.

New 603 Legal Aid boss

Ariel Rothstein Clemmer is the new executive director for 603 Legal Aid, which operates a statewide call center for low-income people facing civil legal issues such as eviction, foreclosure, divorce, bankruptcy and more.

Clemmer most recently was director of the Center for Social Justice at Western New England University School of Law.

"What attracted me most is the organization's unwavering dedication to making access to justice a reality for, and with, Granite Staters in need," Clemmer said.

"I am also incredibly excited to be returning home to New Hampshire and to be able to raise my family in the region where I grew up."

603 Legal Aid was launched in 2021 from the merger of two long-standing initiatives, the Pro Bono Program of the NH Bar Association and the Legal Advice and Referral Center.

NE senators urge pause

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., led a healthy contingent of five New England senators among the 13 Senate Democrats urging Israel to engage in a short-term pause in the bombing of Gaza.

"Based on the consensus opinion of U.S. and international aid officials, it is nearly impossible to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to protect civilian life under current conditions," the senators wrote.

Joining Shaheen were Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy and Vermont Sen. Peter Welch.

Sununu blasts Trump

It might not have seemed possible, but Gov. Chris Sununu is ratcheting up his attacks on former President Donald Trump to emphasize his belief the GOP will take a bath up and down the ballot if Trump is the 2024 standard bearer.

After an event with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley last Thursday, Sununu opened fire.

"Did you see (Trump's) last visit to New Hampshire? He was comparing himself to Nelson Mandela and talking about Jesus Christ being speaker of the House — it was kooky talk. Trump's gotten to the place where, if he's not on the teleprompter, he's all over the place. He sounds almost as bad as Joe Biden. It's really that discombobulated of a speech," Sununu said.

Sununu now is belittling Trump's huge lead in the polls.

"For a former president, as the head of the party, not to garner 50 percent — that's a terrible number," Sununu said. "Most former presidents would garner 80 percent support. It would be lights out, it wouldn't be a contest."

Anti-Trump zealot fights on

Texas legal consultant and Republican presidential candidate John Anthony Castro lost the first round of his longshot legal bid to knock Trump off the New Hampshire ballot, but he insists the fight isn't over.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante dismissed Castro's case on all counts late last month.

Late last week, however, Castro was celebrating that the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston had granted him "emergency expedited review."

"This indicates that the court is inclined to reverse the lower court judge in New Hampshire. The court has indicated they will issue a ruling before Thanksgiving," Castro said.

It could also mean the appellate court is eager to strike this thing down and be done with it.

{span}Many view Castro's challenge as a plea for attention by a consultant who isn't licensed to practice law in any state and uses court rules to argue he can represent clients in federal court.

"As I've stated before, I'm not interested in publicity or notoriety. I would much rather be gardening, being a good father, and running my tax firm," Castro said.

"The events of January 6, 2021, made me realize how delicate and fragile American democracy is and how quickly it could collapse."

Hassan aide departs

Friday was the last day in the office for Renata Miller, Sen. Maggie Hassan's deputy press secretary.

She is moving over to the Biden administration where she will be a press secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services.

411 on SIG Sauer's $16M

Several readers have asked for background on the $16 million from the Business Finance Authority that the Executive Council approved for gun maker SIG Sauer in 2022.

Councilor and Democratic candidate for governor Cinde Warmington defended her support for the item, which cleared the council, 4-1.

Warmington and Democratic primary rival Joyce Craig both supported a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons such as the AR-15 Robert Card used to kill 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, late last month.

SIG Sauer has been a big producer of guns for the military and law enforcement across the country. The money was to finance an expansion for SIG Sauer in Epping.

At that meeting, Warmington had asked about its purpose.

"Can you just talk a little bit about who utilizes this facility — military, police, or private citizens?" Warmington said.

A SIG Sauer executive responded that "94% of the people that come to SIG Sauer Academy are civilians."

The company called the facility "Disneyland for SIG Sauer fans," a 40,000-square-foot facility that included a retail store, shooting range and museum.

Councilor David Wheeler, R-Milford, voted against the financing, arguing the council should not be picking "winners and losers among gun ranges."

Hassan fears shutdown

Hassan comes to Southern New Hampshire Services in Manchester Monday morning to warn about the effects of another government shutdown.

The stopgap government spending deal approved last month runs out Nov. 17.

Another Morse fundraiser

Former Senate President Chuck Morse, R-Salem, isn't getting as much attention as Ayotte, but he's looking competitive on the campaign finance front.

Ayotte will raise more money, but if Morse can put together a few million, he can make the primary a real contest.

Last week the Galley Hatch in Hampton hosted the latest Morse event for campaign donors, led by Senate Majority Whip Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead.

Shaheen pins medals on vet

On Friday, Shaheen presented military medals to Vietnam War veteran Specialist 5 George Andosca of Nashua.

Andosca earned the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with "60" Device and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device.

Kevin Landrigan is State House Bureau Chief for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. Contact him at klandrigan@unionleader.com.