At a meeting this past Thursday, I was asked this question:
"I understand that you are opposed to increasing taxes. But given the looming budget crisis that is expected during the next biennium, would you consider expanded gambling to help to balance the budget?"
Here was and is my answer:
First, we do not have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem. Our revenue increased close to 4 1/2% over the last year. That is higher than the rate of inflation. The problem is that the current democratically controlled legislature increased the General Fund budget by 17 1/2% for the biennium and then "funded" it with over rosy revenue estimates that, not surprisingly, did not materialize..
Second, gambling is a regressive tax. That is, its revenues are drawn heavily from people in lower income brackets.
It is bad policy to fund excessive spending with a regressive tax! We need to reduce the bloated budget spending, not take the easy way out and balance the budget on the backs of the people who can least afford it.
I will oppose expanded gambling in New Hampshire.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Building More Momentum
Good evening all of you,
This has been an encouraging week for my campaign! Let me fill you in on a few of the interesting and exciting things that are happening.
This week again, a number of people have asked me about my position on our right to bear arms. Let me quote from what someone wrote in 1784 that succinctly states my position: "All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state." That fully describes my position. I will not add to or subtract from it. This is the simple but profound language of the New Hampshire Constitition, Part First, (Art) 2-a. Well said, founding fathers!
On Tuesday, New Hampshire had its primary for all state level races. Even though my candidacy for the District 6 State Senate seat was unchallenged, we decided that we wanted to be well represented at the polls to gain name recognition, to meet the core voters that are out to the primary elections and to do a practice run for the organization we need for the general election on November 4. We were represented by 30 volunteers at 13 of the 14 polling stations in my district! Plus I spent half the day at Ward 5 in Rochester and half the day at my largest ward, which is Barrington.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the volunteers who came out to support my campaign. It is a great encouragement to me to have your dedicated support. I have heard from many people in the communities in my district who commented favorably about the excellent organization, (thanks Leah and Lydia), the prolific placement of signs (thanks Warren) and the cheerful sign holders. Great job all!
On Saturday we got a very interesting email. A Barrington resident went to the dump and was greeted on the way out by my opponent with Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts. She talked to them and took coffee and a donut. But on the way home she decided that she should not sell her vote for coffee and a donut. So when she got home, she googled the 6th District race, found my name and checked out my web site. She said that she agreed on every point with my positions and will enthusiastically vote for me in November! She said that now she feels bad about taking the donut from my opponent though. Isn't that a great story!
Door to door continues to be very interesting and encouraging. We meet great people and we have received a really strong reception. I am looking for more help in the door to door. If you have a car and time and can help, we will give you voter lists, maps and careful instructions. We would love to have your help! Together we can really make a difference in Concord next year. I can't do it without you.
At your service,
Fenton Groen
This has been an encouraging week for my campaign! Let me fill you in on a few of the interesting and exciting things that are happening.
This week again, a number of people have asked me about my position on our right to bear arms. Let me quote from what someone wrote in 1784 that succinctly states my position: "All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state." That fully describes my position. I will not add to or subtract from it. This is the simple but profound language of the New Hampshire Constitition, Part First, (Art) 2-a. Well said, founding fathers!
On Tuesday, New Hampshire had its primary for all state level races. Even though my candidacy for the District 6 State Senate seat was unchallenged, we decided that we wanted to be well represented at the polls to gain name recognition, to meet the core voters that are out to the primary elections and to do a practice run for the organization we need for the general election on November 4. We were represented by 30 volunteers at 13 of the 14 polling stations in my district! Plus I spent half the day at Ward 5 in Rochester and half the day at my largest ward, which is Barrington.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the volunteers who came out to support my campaign. It is a great encouragement to me to have your dedicated support. I have heard from many people in the communities in my district who commented favorably about the excellent organization, (thanks Leah and Lydia), the prolific placement of signs (thanks Warren) and the cheerful sign holders. Great job all!
On Saturday we got a very interesting email. A Barrington resident went to the dump and was greeted on the way out by my opponent with Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts. She talked to them and took coffee and a donut. But on the way home she decided that she should not sell her vote for coffee and a donut. So when she got home, she googled the 6th District race, found my name and checked out my web site. She said that she agreed on every point with my positions and will enthusiastically vote for me in November! She said that now she feels bad about taking the donut from my opponent though. Isn't that a great story!
Door to door continues to be very interesting and encouraging. We meet great people and we have received a really strong reception. I am looking for more help in the door to door. If you have a car and time and can help, we will give you voter lists, maps and careful instructions. We would love to have your help! Together we can really make a difference in Concord next year. I can't do it without you.
At your service,
Fenton Groen
Monday, September 1, 2008
St. Charles Children's Home 5K
Today I had the privilege to participate in the Rochester St. Charles Children's Home's 5K Road Race, held at the Pease International Tradeport. What a great fundraiser - over 1000 runners/walkers, etc plus many spectators. It was well organized and the hospitality shown to the runners and spectators was spectacular.
After the race I had the opportunity to read about the history, vision and daily life of this great children's home. It brought tears to my eyes. Their mission is to be family to abused, neglected or abandoned children and provide them with a stable home. Congratulations to the dedicated staff and volunteers who make this ministry possible and who made today's road race such a success.
If you are a runner or a walker/runner like me, (I finished #806 out of 1054) with a time of 37:52 - if I can do it you can too!), I urge you to mark your calender for next Labor Day and support this worthy ministry.
On the national campaign level, great job Senator McCain on a great VP pick! I have been watching news and You Tube clips and the more I see, the more excited I get about her quality, values, leadership and charisma. I believe that she will bring added excitement and enthusiasm to the McCain campaign and that she will be a rallying force for the fiscal and social conservatives that need to part of the McCain winning coalition.
Now about our campaign!
We are gearing up for the primary and need lots of you to help as sign holders at the polls on election day. And we will have many other volunteer opportunities, starting with the Rochester Fair the end of next week. We are having a Volunteer Appreciation Cookout at the Rochester Commons on Saturday evening at 6::00 to 8:00 PM. Contact me or Lydia at fentongroen@gmail.com or call 817-9352 (Fenton) or 369-1964 (Lydia, campaign mgr) to let us know where you can volunteer and if you can make it Saturday evening. Your help is need to bring common sense and financial responsibility back to Concord. We look forward to hearing from you.
After the race I had the opportunity to read about the history, vision and daily life of this great children's home. It brought tears to my eyes. Their mission is to be family to abused, neglected or abandoned children and provide them with a stable home. Congratulations to the dedicated staff and volunteers who make this ministry possible and who made today's road race such a success.
If you are a runner or a walker/runner like me, (I finished #806 out of 1054) with a time of 37:52 - if I can do it you can too!), I urge you to mark your calender for next Labor Day and support this worthy ministry.
On the national campaign level, great job Senator McCain on a great VP pick! I have been watching news and You Tube clips and the more I see, the more excited I get about her quality, values, leadership and charisma. I believe that she will bring added excitement and enthusiasm to the McCain campaign and that she will be a rallying force for the fiscal and social conservatives that need to part of the McCain winning coalition.
Now about our campaign!
We are gearing up for the primary and need lots of you to help as sign holders at the polls on election day. And we will have many other volunteer opportunities, starting with the Rochester Fair the end of next week. We are having a Volunteer Appreciation Cookout at the Rochester Commons on Saturday evening at 6::00 to 8:00 PM. Contact me or Lydia at fentongroen@gmail.com or call 817-9352 (Fenton) or 369-1964 (Lydia, campaign mgr) to let us know where you can volunteer and if you can make it Saturday evening. Your help is need to bring common sense and financial responsibility back to Concord. We look forward to hearing from you.
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