I have lived in the Lakes Region for many years and like you, I enjoy our beautiful lakes and mountains. And like you, I am very concerned about our future. Our friends and families are struggling - many have lost their jobs and can't afford to pay their bills. While New Hampshire citizens have tightened their belts and made painful decisions, state government spending grew by 17%. Now with the faltering economy and shrinking revenues, our state must make difficult budget decisions.

That's why I'm running for the District 3 State Senate seat. Now more than ever, I believe the budgeting decisions we make today affect our way of life. Raising taxes, like rooms and meals tax, will harm the tourism industry -- the lifeblood of small businesses in the Lakes Region and Mt. Washington Valley. We can't shift costs from the state to property taxpayers. Rather...