Capitol Closeup

Paul Interviews Alicia Preston, a native New Hampshire Republican strategist, consultant, writer, radio personality who grew up in a divided political household and now represents the "Republican of conscience" wing of the GOP. She believes in traditional, conservative Republican values and rejects the MAGA/Trump approach to politics. They cover her fascinating career from radio and TV news to rubbing elbows with would be Presidents.  They discuss the recent polling about the critical New Hampshire races. 

Paul and veteran NH political reporter Kevin Landrigan break down the primary races in New Hampshire. Governor Chris Sununu faces a test of his strength with independents against three primary opponents. The Republican race for the US senate nomination has gotten hot and heavy. In the Spring Incumbent Maggie Hassan was seen as vulnerable. Now, Democrats are breathing easier. With the national parties spending millions, a late endorsement by the Governor, but without any endorsement from former President Trump. the Republicans appear poised to choose a bombastic MAGA conspiracy theorist as their candidate.

Paul and Michael Graham of the NH Journal engage in a rollicking conversation that rolls from Michael's start as a professional standup comedian to the editor of NH's leading conservative right wing news source. Along the way they dive into the differences between Democrats and Republicans and run down the upcoming Republican primaries in NH's gubernatorial and Federal races. A lively and fun conversation from opposite sides of the aisle.

Paul interviews Natch Greyes, an attorney who heads Government Relations for the New Hampshire Municipal Association. They talk about the housing crisis in New Hampshire and recent changes to the laws that govern the conduct of the State's planning and zoning boards. New rules and regulations seek to spur the development of Work force housing and create more transparency on the planning and zoning process.

Paul and Kevin Landrigan unpack the Gunstock Ski area controversy and examine the impact of the Free State Movement on New Hampshire Republicans and New Hampshire politics. How far right are Republican candidates for the US Senate and House? What has been the impact of the FBI search of Mar-A-Lago on politics in the Granite State?

Paul catches up with Rob Werner, State Director of New Hampshire's League of Conservation Voters. They discuss the new landmark federal climate change law under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus the overall state of play in New Hampshire renewable energy and the State's recent 10 year energy plan.

The normally sleepy August news lull exploded in recent days with the Manchin budget megadeal, Republicans' sudden turn on help for veterans exposed to toxins, suspiciously missing Secret Service texts...and the list goes on.  A major reset on the political state of play is underway, and Paul and Alicia run through all of it...

Paul interviews Max Richtman, President of the National Committee to to Preserve Medicare and Social Security about the recently announced US Senate deal finally allowing the Government to negotiate with the Pharmaceutical industry for lower Medicare Prescription drug prices for key drugs. While most of the attention has been focused on the climate change provisions and the fact of a deal, which came as a surprise even to Washington insiders, the Medicare Prescription Drug Reforms are big news. Paul and Max take us behind the scenes about the original dead-of-night 2003 deal to prohibit drug price negotiations and the challenging path to this historic deal. They also cover late breaking good news on insulin prices with a tip of the hat to Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Today, we tackle something that seems like one of life's problems to worry about later...as in, much later: how to get your kids, especially your teenagers, some assets for the future.  After all, who has the time or the money to worry about that anyway? And that's fair enough. But what if we told you that each $1000 you invest now means anywhere from a quarter of a million to a million dollars by the time your kid retires? It's true.  In fact, most of our worries about retirement could be taken care of for our kids if we're able to start early and make a relatively small investment now. And the even better news is, it's easy. Mike Morton of Morton Financial Advice boils down what to do into three simple steps that could profoundly change your kids' futures decades from now. 

Paul speaks with Author, publisher and former New Hampshire State Rep and Senator Mary Ellen Humphrey about her recent books. Mary Ellen Humphrey will be at Gibson's Bookstore in Concord to talk about "Politics and Poltergeists" and "My Mountain Friend" on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 PM. The politics book takes the reader behind the scenes in the NH state house, with a fantastical thriller twist. The mountain book is a memoir, including the challenges of healing from childhood trauma through immersion in New Hampshire's natural landscape. Don't miss this  fascinating conversation filled with wry observation and a lifetime of wisdom.