New 2011-2012 Keene budget proposal

by | May 3, 2011 | 0 comments

Dave Eisenstadter reports from The Sentinel:

Keene officials’ proposed 2011-2012 budget calls for a 2.51 percent increase in taxes this year.

The proposal was released this morning.

City Manager John A. MacLean writes in an introduction to the document that this year’s budget represents one of the smallest increases in spending seen in a decade — less than 1 percent.

However, reduced revenues mean more money would have to be raised by taxes to meet the spending plan.

(more…)

New NH economics blog

by | May 1, 2011 | 1 comment

I enjoy writing about economics, so I’m starting a New Hampshire economics blog.

It’s here: Fiscal Responsibility.

Since my economic views are pretty mainstream– I’m no Murray Rothbard, or Robert Murphy (or even Milton Friedman, really)– I get the impression that much of my writing would feel a bit out of place here. Thus the separate blog.

(No, I don’t intend to leave Free Keene any time soon. I’ll keep posting Keene-oriented blogs here.)

So now you know.

Free Keene Fest Is Just Around The Corner…

by | Apr 28, 2011 | 0 comments

It’s that time again…Free Keene Fest will be held Sunday, May 8, from 12-4pm on Railroad Square.  The rock band, Federal Crime, will be playing live during the festival. If they sound familiar to you, it’s probably because they have played at other Free Keene Fests and even played behind the E.F. Lane Hotel during the Music Festival last fall!

There will be lots of unique things to do, see, and buy. A few will even be handing out informational material on various liberty-oriented topics!  Poker and other games will be set up, and food/ beverages will be for sale. Looking for some pro-liberty apparel to sport? Come on down! There will be a couple of vendors, including one of my favorite local artists, Dave Dixon, selling his famous t-shirts and sweatshirts. Did I mention there will be a clothing drop-off if you are looking to give to the community? Clothing will be collected at the Fr33 Aid booth to be donated to a local charity and anyone in need.

Free Keene Fest has been a fun time for many for almost five years, being held biannually. Many people come from afar to hang out with other liberty-minded individuals. There are no permits or vendor’s fees paid to the city of Keene for this festival of freedom. However, responsibility for your property/trash/etc is expected!

I sincerely hope to see this Spring’s Free Keene Festival a smashing success!

Should libertarians support unions?

by | Apr 17, 2011 | 8 comments

As a result of pending anti-union legislation, and my ongoing project to build a liberal-libertarian alliance, I have been researching union issues for the last few weeks. Historically, libertarians, in a political coalition with business interests on the right, have opposed unions, but is there room to ally with liberals here? (more…)