Appointing NH's Register of Probate Would Save The State Big Money

"There is a myth that New Hampshire's fiscally conservative state culture creates frugal but fit government — no taxes, no frills, no problem. In truth, while New Hampshire may provide fewer services than other states, the notion that its finances are emblematic of old-fashioned New England Puritanism just isn't true. Meager cost and performance information and tortuous business processes create an institutional inertia that wastes much of the state's limited resources."

See http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/states_card.aspx?abrv=NH.

As you know, I ran a campaign for Register of Probate entirely on $5 contributions. Aside from drawing attention to campaign finance reform, my goals were a) to help with voter turn-out; b) civics education about down-ballot candidates' jobs responsibilities; c) increased name recognition, which is why I spent almost all of my money on signs; d) losing so that I would not have to stamp documents for two years--although I would have been happy to serve at that salary level; e) calling attention to the need for this position to be appointed and not elected.

It was indeed a peculiar campaign, but a lot of fun.

The legislature voted (on January 23) with a roll call to support this Constitutional amendment, graciously introduced by Rep. Claudia Chase of Francestown at my behest. You can see from a view of the votes that it largely broke down along party lines. I am not sure why that is, because it is more fiscally conservative to appoint and you are likely to get a more qualified person if the Register is appointed. I guess the party of Reagan really has become the party of George W. Bush—incompetence and partisan struggle being the hallmarks of this Administration. Unfortunately, there were also a number of Democrats who did not allow this amendment to get the two-thirds vote that it needed to pass; a simple majority was insufficient.

Someone will need to bring it up again in 2009 if we are to succeed. I hope you will join me in thanking those Democratic members of the Merrimack County delegation who supported this. Only one Democrat, who was a Republican a year ago, ended up voting against it. All of our county Republicans opposed it. While these are the Democrats who opposed the bill state-wide, even their votes would not have guaranteed its passage:

Espiefs, Peter
Hammond, Lee
Gorman, Mary
Haley, Robert
O'Neil, James
Pilotte, Maurice
Scannell, David
Shaw, Kimberly
Simon, Anthony
Smith, David
Blanchard, Elizabeth
Cali-Pitts, Jacqueline
McEachern, Paul
Splaine, James
Mickelonis, Shawn
Watson, Robert
Jillette, Arthur

The woman that I ran against was, at the time, the best Register of Probate in the state by many accounts and would probably be appointed by Judge Hampe if this CACR were to pass, but she is wrong-headed about the amendment and has stirred up everybody in her Party to support the status quo. I ask for your support as we continue this struggle and want to thank the Democratic members of Merrimack County delegation for their nearly unanimous understanding and support of the right thing to do.