RAYMOND – Republican leaders in both the New Hampshire House and Senate have sent a letter to our NH Congressional delegation to vote against the proposed healthcare legislation because of the impact it would have on the state budget. They warned of the dire consequences that would likely be caused by the downshifting of costs from the proposed legislation. As both of our Senators are former Governors, they were reminded that as a governor, they have a good understanding of downshifting and it’s financial effect on the state, and urged voting against the legislation. I recently attended a “Justice Reinvestment in New Hampshire” presentation on a detailed data-driven analysis of the state’s corrections system to identify opportunities to increase public safety, reduce recidivism, and reduce spending on corrections. Although not finished, the presentation gave some interesting data. In 2008, NH’s violent crime rate was the third lowest in the nation, and the property crime rate was the fourth lowest in the nation. The New Hampshire prison was illustrated as being a “bathtub” and is currently overflowing. The faucet - admissions, mainly from revocations; the drain - parole board discretionary release; and the overflow - crowding limits ability to get people into programs. The overflowing bathtub is a system at 138% capacity with over 2,917 inmates, 26% more that in 2001. Annual cost is over $100M, which 10 years ago was only $51M. For fiscal year 2009, parole revocations will cost NH approximately $13.3M based on a $90.00 per day cost of incarceration. During this same time, in Rockingham County, parole population was 164, of which 71 were parole revocations to prison for a 43.3% of the parole population. Why are people on parole revoked to prison? Because they were involved in: drugs, program failure, absconding, and prior violations. Thus, 86% of the revocations will become eligible for parole again. Former State Representative, Ken Weyler, of Kingston won the Republican primary to fill the vacant seat left by resigning St. Rep. Donald Van Patten. Ken, for years, was a leader in the House Finance Committee and we really need him back in Concord. On January 12th, he will be running against Democrat Norman Hurley in a special election to represent the towns of Plaistow, Kingston, and Hampstead. I urge everyone in those three communities to come out on January 12th, and vote for former Rep. Ken Weyler. Please send him back to Concord to work on the state budget. It’s right before Christmas and all through your house it’s finishing up wrapping, baking, and, yes, even some last minute decorating. And it’s off to go shopping for that last gift you forgot. If I can have just one minute, I’d really like to say, “Merry, Merry Christmas and please pause to enjoy the day.” Spend time with your family. Don’t forget to pray, especially for our armed forces so far away. What a wonderful world this would be, if folks were generous and loving all year, not just at Christmas. “Merry Christmas to All”. (Editor’s Note: NH State Representative Mike Kappler can be reached at l.mikekappler@comcast.net)