Speaker of the House

[maxanne]

Hmmm...intersting that we aren't discussing the ethics investigation of Gene Chandler, Speaker of the NH House.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041123/REPOSITORY/411230314/1031

Good old Henry Mock is making it even worse for his buddy Gene.
Sadly, these bozos populate my house district - in fact I ran against them 2 years ago.

NH needs to change the configuration of the legislature. If we had even 150 reps (instead of 400) who were paid a decent stipend, there would be no more of this foolishness.

Gene took a big chunk from RJ Reynolds, and you may recall that the tobacco bill went down in flames in 2003. He also took a big chunk from Anthem - thank you SB110. I'm really disappointed that the Democrats are chosing silence, and possibly worse.

[FightinNewDem]

1. Different Clowns, Same Circus

Yes, the silence is puzzling, isn't it?

Well, it shouldn't be. The Democrats have a history of indulging in the same sort of sleaze as Chandler and his boys.

Chris Spirou, Mary Chambers, and Peter Burling all held numerous "testimonials" over the years. While Burling, being a millionaire, probably used the dough for political purposes, I don't know about Chambers, and Spirou was sleaze incarnate.

Don't expect the situation to change. The new minority leader in the House is Jim Craig, perhaps the most conflic-averse fellow you will ever meet. His campaign for minority leader was funded by Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, a water-carrier for the gambling lobby, and Dick Bouley, a lobbyist for a myriad of special interests. Craig's son-in-law is also a lobbyist for the Demers Group.

[maxanne]

2. oh, great

A shame Terri Norelli didn't get the leadership position.

I hear the Dems have a backroom deal afoot to support Chandler, in exchange for some committee chair positions. I had an ugly argument with one of my local Democratic party officials about that. Dealing with the devil will be used against us for the next 100 years. In fact, since Bradley and Bass voted against the Delay rule change, the Republicans will be able to say they're more concerned about ethics than the Democrats. I'm really tired of the shortsighted thinking of the NH state party.

Thanks for the gloomy info, FND.

[maxanne]

3. Naughty Gene gets spanked

C:\Documents and Settings\sbruce\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\TSWNPP4D\www.politicsnh.htm

Chandler will face formal charges:

The Ethics Committee voted 6-0 in Concord today to go ahead with a trial for House Speaker Gene Chandler who is now formally charged with the following three items:

1.) accepting more than $250 from those with business before the state.

2.) accepting more than $250 for personal use

3.) failing to report these gifts.

A trial is expected to begin Jan. 13.

Chandler is stepping down as Speaker - but apparently doesn't realize he should resign his House seat as well.

[maxanne]

4. dupe