Story Archives of 'John Lynch'

If you looked at government as if it were a car, you would design different parts to do different things. You'd have an engine for power, brakes to slow you down, and a steering wheel to get you where you wanted to go. Some people believe New Hampshire suffers with a chronic flaw in the steering system -- the 2-year term of the governor. They argue a chief executive needs four years to focus on managing and improving the departments that do the actual work of government.

This idea has taken hold in 48 other states, Vermont is the other exception, but in New Hampshire, the concept has gone nowhere. As part of our week-long series on governance, NHPR’s Jon Greenberg decided to poke around under the hood.

Democratic leaders say Attorney General should complete his review of the state's handling of alleged $85 million Ponzi scheme before lawmakers launch their own.

The state will have to look elsewhere to plug its budget holes.

That’s the implication from today’s New Hampshire Supreme Court’s ruling.

In a 3 to 2 decision, the Court has determined the state can’t take $110 million dollars from a medical malpractice insurance fund.

New Hampshire Public Radio’s Dan Gorenstein reports.

Last week Governor Lynch gave his third State of the State address. He talked about balancing the state budget, a proposal on jobs called “New Hampshire Working,” education, prisons and the widening of I-93. Also of note was what wasn't mentioned: gay marriage, the extension of the interest and dividends tax to LLCs and the disputed JUA money Lynch would use to balance the budget. We talk to the Governor about issues facing the state.

Guest

• John Lynch, governor of New Hampshire

Governor Lynch gives his third State of the State speech Thursday and many will be listening closely to hear what he has to say about the New Hampshire economy, healthcare and the budget, especially concerning a ruling on the Joint Underwriting Association fund. We’ll look back at what was said and assess just how strong the state of the state of New Hampshire really is.

Guests

• James Pindell, political columnist for New Hampshire Magazine and founder of NHPoliticalReport.com
• Josh Rogers, NHPR political reporter