YOUR COMMENTS

have a camping trailer in Maine. We pay a 9 percent lodging tax on top of the rental fee for the season, a yearly real estate tax to the town, and we just found out, they are going back six years to collect a useage tax and adding interest to that also.
BIG mistake Everyone, go to NH, you are still better of there
- JG, Mass.

NH tax system seems to have been designed to export the burden to those who don't live there.
I have a property on Squam, yes waterfront and a rental. NH taxes take
almost 2/3 of the vacation rental reciepts. There are no kids to educate.
The vacationers support the local businesses (resturants, bars, boat rentals, fishing licenses, gas and the groceries they need and for some rental cars. After my expenses, owning the property outright wthout a mortgage,
I get to keep less than $2000 on a property assesed at nearly $700,000.
Did I mention that due to the controls on
waterfront, I cannot improve the property. All I can do is hope for a greater fool to buy this albatross.
- RJ, Virginia

I think I will stop complaining about the tax and just make sure I buy all my food and not dine out while I am in NH. I could probably make up for the $230 by not dining out at all.
- Kim, Lowell, ma

Thorpe.
Seasonal site rates have been rising for years now to cover the increased property tax. We are not a high income family and we have been able to still enjoy camping at our seasonal site. While we are there we have paid your forever increasing tolls, go out and dine, shop at the outlets, but alcohol, etc... We are honestly at the point that it is just not worth it. This may be a regressive tax on seasonal campers. If we were only up for a weekend a $5 tax may not be a big deal. We continue to pump money into your economy week in and week out. Seasonal campers should have been excluded because you have already sucked us dry. Maine or Western, MA are looking better right now.
- Kim, Lowell, MA

Ok, so let me get this straight! I leave my house and head up the seacoast to the White Mountians for a nice week of camping. I pay my first tax at the Hampton toll booth.Then i continue up the interstate and on to route 16 to the White Mountians. This is where i get Wacked again, not once ,but twice at the toll booths again!!!.Now i arrive at my favorite capmground ,only to be greeted with a 9% tax on my camping??I have been taxed 4 times in the state of New Hampshire and i have not even started camping??Thats it for us, i called the campground this morning and cancelled. The White Mountians are nice but not that nice.. Looks like we are going out to the Berkshires.. bye bye New Hampshire!!
- jeff, Andover,mass

this is not fair ,i have a small business ,and its already bad as it is this is even worse,thank you very much
- john, hampstead nh

and they call N.H. a live free or die state time to change that
- Rich, Raymond

We live and used to camp in NH. I had wanted to go to Dolly Copp this summer but I guess we will end up going to MA or ME. Sorry, NH but your taxes are getting to high for us :o( MA and ME can use our money.
- dee, Rochester

What about the people who got hit by the NH Towns this year with the tax of "your property on the property of others" which was based on the value of your trailer and then we are also going to get hit with a state tax of 9%. I can easily take my $600+ "taxes" to a campground in Massachusetts, where you pay a site fee only.
- Barbara, MA

I am a camper who is very upset about the new 9% tax on our plot of dirt. New Hampshire USED TO love campers. Guess the add needs to be changed. Are we also taxing the college students for their dorms and our military personal for their barracks? I think someone hooked up the trailer and moved us to taxachussetts.
- bcote, bennington,nh

I guess the children of New Hampshire can learn to love the city grime and rising crime rate of our more populated areas instead of our states natural gifts,I hope these lawmakers don't base thier re-election hopes on fighting crime in the future, as we all know who voted, and can effect changes !!!!!
- a.t., derry

Maybe it's ok to create a tax for camping. Maybe not. I am a camper and bottom line is this is a Property Tax. No Rooms or meals are prepared. My issue isn't taxing, but how they're taxing already taxed things and calling it something it isn't. It should be called a "Campground Site Property Tax". It isn't a room. It isn't a meal. Ya already paid the registration for your camper unless you have a tent. And they'll pay too. I could agree with taxing cabins at a campsite in this tax. But they are taxing land. They want to pat themselves on the back for avoiding a Statewide Property Tax. Too Late! You just created a Back Door Property Tax.
- J. Marcel, Concord NH

Um..ya just so you know, if this budget is passed they will now be tripple taxing campgrounds. So where is the loophole because I'd love to know. Yes, it should be fare so lets start taxing next year starting at about 1% like everyone else, isnt that fare. How do I tell my campers, paid in full, they now owe an additional amount up to hundreds more to rent our dirt. Your funny Thomas get educated on the topic before you blog.
- SilverLakeCampground, Belmont

So, your telling me the state wants to tax for a piece of ground? I am prettty sure that the room and board tax requires a bed and food. Campers bring in there own beds and there own food. All that is supplied is a space on the ground. Its ridiculous. Why charge more than we already have to? Camper owners have to register campers which already costs alot. Even putting property taxes on some seasonals is ridiculous. There campers!? Why dont we take money from somewhere else instead of ruining one of the last affordable family vacations!? The government should be taking money and higher taxes on more important things like heavily pollluting vehicles or ciggarettes. Any of that makes more sense than a camping tax. I wonder if the government remembers why were not part of Britain anymore...because they taxed TOO much! And look whats happening here..but who would we separate from? New Hampshire is going to end up like Massachusettes soon if our law makers dont figure something else out. Mr. Thorpe, maybe you should try camping and tell me what you can get taxed on and where you find the bed and food at the campsites. Good luck finding any cause it aint there!
- Megan McGrade, NH

It's funny that there are no Liberals in here giving there liberal opinions and standing up for these taxes. I Wounder why.

Liberal Democrats types are the first people to criticize anything what republicans do, but on a issue like this they know they a wrong in every way that's why you are not hearing from them.

Typical spineless Liberal Democrats, ramming through tax bills any chance they get, and then putting a spin on it so they look like they needed to do it to save the kids!

There is one thing you can count on, and that is IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE!

Welcome to New Massachusetts
- Mike Johnson, Manchester NH

i have camped in nh for the past 7 years...i buy my food in nh... i buy all my camping needs in nh...i spend money every weekend in nh...now u tell me u want to tax me 9% on my seasonal camp site....that i provide the trailer cook in it and clean it... well i can just move my camper out of nh and spend my money here in massachusetts..nh will be the loser's in the end with people from out of state spending thier money else where....
- kingsley, foxboro,ma

Next they'll want to add a rooms and meals tax for living in our own homes.
Thats no different than taxing people for staying in their own campers.
- Don Bodwell, Derry NH

Wait a minute.....I certainly hope this doesn't apply to those of us that actually have to pay taxes on our trailers and decks, as well as the campground owners paying land tax....that would be triple taxing the use of the land! Did I fall asleep and wake up in Taxachusetts?
- Paul Parisi, Salem NH

Is this New Hampshire or Massachusetts?
Don't they get it? We'd much rather have CASINO"S than have more taxes to burden us. Most people are all ready struggling to get by. Who voted these clowns in? I'm for taxing the idiots in favor of this.
- Tammy Hemeon, Londonderry

So why is it they are making sate campgrounds exempt from this tax?
Let me guess! They sure don't want to loose any money from their pockets.. Only campers in family run campgrounds will be paying this tax. What's the deal with that? We own our campers, pay for our site and cook our own meals. How do they link us to the rooms and meals tax? We are not getting a free ride here as someone sees to think. And lets not forget that the campground owners are paying property taxes as well. This is more like double taxing. People will be surprised when they see how many other things will be taxed. This is just bad for New Hampshire all the way around.
- Nancy Bodwell, Londonderry

So let me get this right. We pay our site fees and storage fees and pay taxes on our sites on units that we own. Now they want us to pay a room & meal taxes, on something we already own and we buy and our own food. What are you guys thinking!!!
- Brian Abbott, Atkinson NH

For 30 years, my father ran a campground in New Hampshire. People came up to camp. It was a cheaper way to have a vacation. Now, Governor Lynch has already has allowed gay marriage and now taxes. What are we becoming the State of Northern Massachusetts?Where is the Spirit of state-LIVE FREE OR DIE?
- MATTHEW, HILLSBORO

It's Sad!! Camping was one of the last vacations that a family could take without leaving a hole in your pocket. Again in order to have a nice seasonal site you have to be Rich.....pay tax on the camper each year and now pay tax where you park it. Tax Tax Tax......Welcome to America. Hey vacationers!!! Have fun in Maine and Vermont. Thank you newly elected legislature for the slap in the face. We'll remember this next election. Mr Thorpe.....do you camp?
- Alison, Thornton, NH

So let me get this right, we pay are site fees then we pay storage fees, then we pay taxes on the units WE OWN. Now they want us to pay more taxes on room and meal taxes. We OWN the rooms and we supply our own food. Wake up and smell the coffee.
- Brian,Atkinson, Atkinson NH

WoW that campsite already paid there taxes on campers not once, not twice, three time. You guys who want to all the campers to pay more taxes should come to the campground and serve us meal and clean our mess and sleep on the drit. But we (camper) clean and cook our meal all the time. just like home not the HOTEL or MOTEL who serve meal everyday.
- Jim, manchester

I love all the comments suggesting that this is the result of voting democrat. Wouldn't it be more accurate to say this is the result of a poor economy (which started to go south long before January)? And if Republicans have all the answers to solve all of the world's problems, what were they doing for the last 8 years? I'd have to think though that states without sales or income taxes are having a harder time dealing with budget shortfalls than others. It does seem odd to have a meal and room tax when the property owner in fact has no meals or rooms.
- david, Hampton

To all those saying "it's only 9%...$4.50 on a $50 site fee...if you can't afford it stay home..." This isn't about the fact that its only $4.50, or small money in the big picture. It is about the principal...I pay to register my travel trailer each year to the tune of hundreds of dollars. My tax is paid. End of story. Those who use hotels/inns and pay rooms tax have not "registered" anything and paid their fair share to utilize accommodations in NH. So, they pay when they reserve. We pay when we register. We are getting hit twice. And, as far as tenting goes...that's just silly. No one should be taxed for setting up a tent on dirt.
- L, Epping

As a seasonal camper in Hampstead NH for the past 13 years we have been recently informed that the town has decided to tax my camper as a "building" and posed ~$220 yearly tax on me. Said tax must be paid by July 1.

After all they need my money to pay for the towns school system however I am already paying my own town school tax for where my child is attending.

Now I would be required to pay an additional ~$200 tax for the state!

...wow that is an additional $420 yearly on top of site of the site, electricity, registration, campsite liablity coverage, insurance....what next???
- Ginnie Arenella, Hudson NH

It is possible that this tax could have been avoided with the addition of slots or maybe a casino. NH is a tourist destination. Our state legislature should focus on legislation that would make us a more attractive vacation destination, thereby capitalizing on that revenue stream. Making it more expensive to come here to vacation will just encourage people to stay closer to their home and with that their dollars don't end up in our economy.
- BS, Merrimack

I'm an avid NH camper....have been for years...and it is amazing to me that lawmakers cannot see what craziness this is. Do you not realize that it is SO easy for NH campers to head over to Maine, Vermont or New York to save money? Some Maine campgrounds are closer to me than NH so it won't cost more in gas, either. I would much rather give the NH economy my vacation spending money, but not if this is the thanks we get. I'm so annoyed, I would rather camp outside NH, but then again I care too much about the local businesses, that I don't want to hurt them anymore by taking my money elsewhere. I wish NH loved us as much as we love it.
- L, Epping

- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH,
i agree with you 100% everyone crying that its unfair to those who really need the money anyway, well if you are that destitute stay home! 9% people if you pay $40 for your site for example that is only 3.60$... you voted democrat and got the government you wanted so now you can enjoy!
see you wanted CHANGE, you got it, change in your tax evading camping ways!
- george, hillsborough

to Deb, pembroke and all the rest of the crybabies! i dont feel bad for these people at all!
sell the camper if it is too much for registration and gas, boo hoo, its about time that campgrounds get hit with a tax! way to go Gov. Lynch! maybe the out of staters that we CONSTANTLY see we can become a more porsperous state!
i dont have to go away to camp, i live in the woods!
and hey john smith maybe you should move to maine, we dont need you here!
- george, hillsborough

I don't have a problem with the legislature coming up with this in a brainstorming session. Wild and crazy ideas are fine at that stage.

What I do have a problem with is legislators attempting to enact this tax, and any additional taxes for that matter. What is shows is an egregious incompetence on their part to devise a balanced, equitable budget, as well as an utter disregard for the tax payers of this state.

You want to properly manage the budget in this state, then have the guts to cut services and programs that are not essential. Stop being the irresponsible parents that let their kids eat all the candy they want, and buy them all the toys they want. If you're a senator or a representative because you want to be popular, you're in the wrong job. Spreading the misery by taxing more isn't fixing the problem at its source. Cut the special interest programs and take the complaints as adults and stop running for cover.
- Michael D. Houst, Barrington, NH

- Dave, Dover, NH

you're pathetic! you're saying nothing more than "if the government kicks down your door, just take it like a man." you should be a politician!
- scott, chichester

I have been coming to NH for the past three years from may to mid october and the campground continually raises the fees each year. It now is $4,100.00 and the owner sets the propane rate in excess of $7.00/gal when he pays less than $3.00/gal, the electric bills are increased also from the electric company bills. The owner has about 139 park model sites and three motorhome sites. He is trying to sell the dirt under each park model at a premium and convert this park to a sort of condominium park. If I get taxed on this rented site another $400.00/year will it also be taxed if I purchase this site?. Each park model is owned by the resident. Their is 15 units for sale here and none are selling. As residents we are caught between a rock and a hard place. We can only get out of these awful excess costs by physically moving our park models and almost all have three season room attached.
- richard kulch, holderness

dont you get it mr. thorpe,we already pay taxes on our campers when we register them and some when we buy them.sure we would all love to go to the islands on vacation,but cant afford the hotels so we buy campers and most of us started with tents. and we do make our own beds ,buy our food and get our own meals.work hard for our simple pleasures .why dont you get a life mr,thorpe
- marylouhannah, fl.

My parents own a campground for 15 years. They are only open 4 months out of the year. They already pay PROPERTY Tax on the land each year!! Where does the state get off DOUBLE DIPPING on taxes. The one thing people are forgetting, is that the vacationers, mostly from NH, are flipping the bill. This state prides itself (and depends) on tourism. This is an insult to the state motto. If this passes the state will be "cutting off it's nose to spite it's face". So the saying goes!!!

P.S. Thomas Thorpe must make too much money and DOES NOT CAMP to even come up with the ass plan.
- Michele, Thorrnton

If this is the case, than anyone paying entry to a park and bringing a meal with them (wether it is bagged lunch or a cookout meal) should also pay the tax.
- Scott, Windsor, CT

My question is why not put in a sales tax and end it all?
No new taxes in NH ha!
- Kathy Cassavaugh, tilton

This is going to hurt those who can least afford it. Camping is one of the few affordable activities low income families can still do. Gas is going up, despite the cost per barrell being lower, food has gone up blamed on gas price increases, but never came back down. Forget about taking the family on a fly away vacation. Putting up a tent and sitting around a fire isnt luxury, its simple family time. Now this is going to be out of reach for many. Not to mention families who are homeless that live on campgrounds in the summer rather than in the shelters. There are more than you would think. Why not tax the golfers at luxury country clubs - oh wait, thats the polititions enjoy doing so cant do that!
- Kimba, Haverhill, Mass

If I have to start paying 9% Rooms and Meals tax to camp in my tent, I want the State to start providing my food and setting up and cleaning my tent.
- Art, Portsmouth

if you voted democrat and are complaining...i'll politely ask you to close your pie holes!! democrats are ruining this country and you helped put them there.
- fpc, manchester

Thank you. Please tax us more. I know that our women controlled progressive state government knows best. Where is our helmet law? Where is our seat belt law. I am sure all of you caring women who control our state government know what is best for us. So please keep me safe.
- Kevin, Dover, NH

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I actually agree with Thomas Thorpe...it's a sad day for me to have to admit that.....What's the big deal, if your site is $50 for the night you have to pay an extra $4.50, no big deal if you ask me, But if it passes it should be all camp grounds including the state owned ones....
- John, Manchester

I bought a trailer three years ago and in the first year my taxes for my trailer doubled becasue it was waterfront; this is on top of the taxes collected by the town of Ossipee from the campground for water front property. How can they get away with collecting taxes twice on waterfront property. Now they want an additional 9% tax on top of what I already pay. Time to sell and move I think.
- Bill, Dracut MA

Again, if you voted for Democrats last November because you were pissed off at Bush, SHUT UP and START PAYING!!! You GOT the government YOU deserve!!!
- Larry, Nashua

Go for it NH. Grab them all by the ankles and shake. Oh look, there is only lint falling from their pockets.
What will you do then NH?
Your cashcow's utter is producing nothing but dust.
It won't be long now. With all of these feel good social programs and no manufacturing base will we see a complete collapse.
America, eating its own.
- Michael, Manchester

I have camped for 16 years. Now with vecicle reg. going up along with camper reg. I will not be paying 9% more enough is enough. See you election day...
- TIM archer, Grafton

Maine and Vermont already charge a tax when you camp there..I know cause I camp there often. Many states charge a usage tax or a tax of another name.
- Nancy, Manchester

I'm glad to see the outrage on this story. Maybe the legislature will listen (but I doubt it).

Meals and rooms taxes have always been best described as "soak the tourists" taxes. They don't have any representation, so they can only vote with their dollars -- and they do. They'll stop renting campsites in NH.

Of course, the same fiscal geniuses came up with the idea of quintupling non-resident revolver & pistol license fees, as if that would quintuple revenues. Hardly. Most out-of-staters don't have a NH license for visiting NH, they have it for reciprocity with third states. Instead of a $100 NH license, they'll just get a $59 Utah license that acdtually gains them more states than NH does.
- Kevin, Lancaster

Re: Thomas Thorpe's "having everyone pay their fair and appropriate share." That is the point....everyone is Not paying their fair share. The State is putting the burden on a select few individuals and businesses to cover the costs for everyone. It is time everyone bares the costs of running this state. Read the whole proposed budget and see what businesses will be hardest hit...it is that small business in your neighborhood, your Mom & Pop businesses and possibly a member of your family or friend...but from your comment...I don't see it affecting you.
- Pat, Newfields

As the owner of a new camper who just paid $982 for NH vehicle registration fees and $465 for insurance costs before leaving my yard for the first time I should have a voice in this debate. If this added cost becomes law everyone should simply leave their campers at home. Camping is not a basic necessity, it is a luxury. If you don't want to pay, you can't play. Everyone is aware of the current Concord mentality and this added cost should come as no surprise.
- Dave, Dover, NH

So as a seasonal camp site renter, how does this compute? I have access to my site for 5 months a year, kind of like renting an apartment in the summer and going to Florida for the winter. Do all rentals get taxed? And since we only stay in our camper on the weekends in the summer, do we have to pay the tax for the nights we are not there? Room and meals tax is only on the nights you actually stay there, right? And what about the $500 portion of my site fee that is for winter storage, does that get taxed too? What about people who rent a dock space on the coast and sleep on their boats? Does this apply to them? Clearly this was not thought through.
- Steph, Derry

these politicians should have taken a seriously look at Massachusetts before deciding on this tax increase as a good idea.

what's the best way to drive people out of your state to go elsewhere? tax 'em to death! simple logic unfortunately not understood by our simpleton politicians.
- scott, chichester

Hey Dee G, can we put casino say in Hudson, right behind your house? The government will always raise taxes and will never lower them. Show me in the history of this country when and where they have done that. You cant and you know it.
- JeffD, Salem

Hey Jim Burns, are you referring to the eagle tribune? Most of those polled live in MA. They dont have skin in the game like you and me (guess what I live in Salem as well) I bet those 80% only amount to around a 100 people. Why dont you talk to some people around Salem, excluding your friends and family, you would be suprised that a lot of them dont want any casino in our town.
- JeffD, Salem

I think it is very important that we choose our representatives with more scrutiny the next time around. A recent poll conducted by a local newspaper showed an 80% approval rating for casino gaming at Rockingham Park
which has been repeatedly supported by the residense of Salem. They don't listen in Concord to what the people want and this is the "change" NH needs.
- Jim Burns, Salem

Thomas from Portsmouth, I think you are the one who needs to think it through. Campers bring their own "rooms", make their own meals, and provide their own "room service", but yet they are now supposed to pay a room and meals tax? On what? Maybe we should close another "loop hole". You know, the one where people have to pay room and meals taxes in their own homes!

People, it's time we bring back the fiscal conservatives. The ones in charge now are absolutely ruining this great state. Live free and die. I think the Old Man "died" because with the current slate of libs running things there is certainly NO WAY you're going to live free!
- Todd, Atkinson

This whole tax thing is for the birds .. Whatever happened to Tax Free NH ? .. I think the state of NH should let Foxwoods build a casino somewhere in NH .. They bring in lots of money for the state of Connecticut and I heard they do not raise anyone's taxes down there .. There will be no need to raise taxes if this casino could be built .. Think about this.
- Dee G, Hudson,NH

The entire point has been missed in the comments. The raised taxes and new taxes are a direct result of the incompetent majority leadershipship in Concord. The budget was written knowing full well it was no where near fundable with exisiting resources. Instead the liberals knew they would need to raise taxes and create new ones to pay for it. Among the worst new additions to the state budget was reading that governor flynch himself reccomended a $500,000 bonus for the governor. Thats a half a million dollars for his lazy behind.

Two are two views to this situation: One the American and classic NH view is that people should do well with their own money and be accountable for the own actions andwelfare. The second is the anti-American liberal view which says the government is the one who should do well with your money and that people are too stupid to be accountable or think for themselves.

What good for leaders that men do not think.
- Michael Layon, Derry

Why tax/I thought this was a tax free state.I don't see my staying here in a Taxachusettes State.I see all you pinhead politicians hanging on to the balls of Lynch and all his corrupt ppl here in the Live free or die State.Free from Taxes.This country needs a Revolution
- Bryan, Tilton

We paid $27,000. + TAXES & OTHER FEES, when we purchased our travel trailer and pay for the groceries, we stocked it with - now I have to pay a rooms & meals tax for bringing my own room & meals - that is double-dipping! Mr. Thorpe, the rooms and meals tax, by original definition is a tax on the room, supplied by someone, that you rent. And, a meals tax was, by definition, a tax on a meal prepared for you, by someone else, that you eat in an establishment. Changing the rules does not validate it! The Rooms & Meals tax is NOT a campers fair share.
- Doug & Rita, Manchester, NH

To TAM in Swanzey.... YES, a hotel/motel does indeed pay property taxes and the guests pay a room & meals tax because the HOTEL makes their bed and serves them their meals! Have you ever been camping where the campgrounds served you your meals and made your bed in the morning? WAKE UP!! This is a completely ridiculous tax and but another means whereby the politicians are covering their butts and avoiding the problem - STOP SPENDING and implementing give away programs to those that would rather not work and take from those that do contribute to society!
- Ted C, Keene

We should expect this kind of thing when the Democrats were voted into power back in 2006 - state house, senate, governor. Well New Hampshire, the next opportunity to correct this mistake is 2010. Remember next time all they have done and are doing to ruin this great state and vote out all the Democrats!
- Peter, Brookline

Do you expect anything less from democrats! I bet most of you people still think democrats are for the working class. Wrong - they are for taking your hard earn money and giving it to other people that will not appreciate it. Like that girl you all know who had 4 kids from 4 different dads.

Also they are all about socialism if you have not figured it out yet. This country is already socialized, most of you bleeding hearts don't know what I'm talking about because you are the ones that honestly think that government will fix your little problems. Wrong again !

Ask yourself this Liberals, what has our government done Right in the Last 30 years? Or a better question , do you really think that increasing taxes on everything will fix the politicians from spending every dollar that we have borrowed from China?

How can democrats be for the working class or business owners when they constantly pass ridiculous tax laws that have direct effect on the Commerce of NH. Let me guess it's Bush's fault for the Campgrounds getting taxed. Can't play that card anymore NICE TRY !
- mike johnson, manchester nh

I for one will not camp anymore at a private ir state owned campground. The owners of these campgrounds already pay property tax that we as campers pay for so why would we want to pay another tax to get away from it all. We in this economic stituation can not afford to keep adding taxes on to us everyday folk who work hard and still struggle with everyday expenses.
- cindy, manchester

This tax is Bull,We pay a Tax when we Reg. our camper,this is douple taxes
Why not Make Bikes Reg? there are more of them on the road than Campers,and they don't have to follow any rules of the road. How many state Rep's and Sentor's etc pay taxes on the cars?they get free reg from the state 99% don't bother to even go to there town clerk.Thomas these campers are paying there fair share and than some Douple Taxes
- Bruce H King, Lyme

Thats ok, I will either set up camp at my local park or in my backyard, can sit out and roast my hotdogs and tater tots and around a roaring fire can toast my marshmellows. Sorry if the fire gets out of hand and destroys the neighboorhood mines due for urban renewal anyways I can help it along. Happy Bonfires to all and to a crackling goodnight.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

Wait the mins. We paid our TAXES an d now you want us to pay more taxes on the camper. That is total UNFAIR on us as the Seasonal camper. If you want taxes us that meant all the Legislaurte and the poeple who want us (camper) to pay room and meal texes should come u the campground serve us meal and make the bed then we pay taxes
- Jim, Auburn

Good ol' New Hampshire following in the footsteps of Massachusetts. Tax everything!!
We go camping because it's cheap, we can't afford Florida and the likes!
- Opie, Derry

Thomas Thorpe said "Taxation should be fair and across the board." Do you feel the same way about federal taxes, of which the top 20% of Americans are paying waaaaayyyy more than their fair share of taxes? Yet liberals like to complain when those dastardly rich folk - along with the rest of us - get to keep some of that money in the form of tax cuts. Don't worry though, with liberals in charge we won't have to be concerned any longer with tax cuts.

When are people going to realize that the Democrats that are running our state are practicing the same formula as those in the state to our south...overspend, overspend, overspend and when you've spent too much, blame it on republicans then tax the commoners. There are enough fools that will still sympathize with your failed liberal ideology who will still vote for you. Vladimir Lenin called fools like that "useful idiots." Enjoy it, because judging by the backlash across this state and country which is already forming, liberalism will soon go the way of the liberals' favorite country, the USSR.
- Mike, Temple

Chet

Doesn't a hotel owner pay property taxes and the hotel guest pay a rooms and meals tax?
- tam, swanzey

Tax the alcohol in this state.

They have raised the tax on everything in this state except for beer and alcohol.

Campers should not have to pay a room tax. This state is going to push tourism away.

Our legislators will raise a tax on everything but the alcohol in this state because they have no backbone.

I agree, start watching how our reps vote for this one. I also will start vacationing in Maine or Vermont now and will not vote for a rep that votes for this tax.
- Ray, Milford

Well, here's yet another example of the good life of "no taxes" here in NH...

So...they increase taxes on smoking, eating out, staying over, registering a car (that one's gonna hurt), create a new tax on camping at campsites, tax small businesses more...all on top of some of the highest property taxes around.

AND, our state community colleges and state university cost more than twice as much to attend as other state's residents pay.

AND, we can't even afford to maintain our beautiful state parks.

Could someone explain to me what exactly the "New Hampshire advantage" is again? I'm feeling a bit screwed over these days...
- KB, Berlin

I want to send a comment to Tim in Londonderry. My brother owns a campground in NH and he pays taxes on his land. ALL of his land. You need to understand I bring my own sleeping facility, bedding, food, towels, etc. If I wanted to sleep in a motel I do understand that I would have to pay a tax on that room, but why should I have to pay for the room that I am supplying? I have already paid my taxes here in MA when I purchased these items. I travel over 3 hours to enjoy weekends up in NH with him. I love camping and just don't understand why some people think that adding extra taxes to the campground owners. The proposal wants everyone to start paying this July 1st. That would mean if someone has prepaid for their campgound they now have to come up with an extra 9% at that time, not next year.
- Laura Squires, Harwich, MA

i think this is ridiculous. in the town of hampstead they are already taxing campers that have an rv parked in the campground that can only be used for five months. so therefore we're not residence, but we have to pay for schools we can't use. this shouldn't be allowed. the owners of the campgrounds already have to pay taxes on the property we're using. find another way to get money, oh wait you don't know how to do anything but tax people.
- sara, derry

Ahhhhh yes, taxation and the "pay your fair share" mantra of the liberal left, who want nothing more than a sales tax and an income tax.

Cut spending?
Yeah right.

Here is how a politician defines a "cut" in spending: ask for a 7% increase in the budget. When only 5% gets approved, scream bloody murder that the budget was cut 2%. Meanwhile the mainstream media runs a story that women, children and minorities will suffer the most when in reality, they got a 5% increase and tell people they are fighting for "working families."
- Jim D, Hillsboro

Live Free or Die? There is an easy way to solve this problem. Don't camp in New Hampshire. Camp somewhere where they appreciate visitors.
- Bill, Tuftonboro

What room? What meal? This tax makes no sense!! We already pay $600 to register our camper because of the value. We are paying a premium price for gas to tow it, we pay a toll to go up north, we pay $35-$40 a night to stay AND the campground already pays property tax on the plot of land we camp on!!! tax on top of tax. Lynch is NOT one of us, he looks down on us from his mansion. He is a liar.
- Deb, pembroke

Think this through people...hotel/motel owners pay property taxes on thier respective properties and rooms, yet for years guests have had to pay thier share of the rooms/meal tax. No different for a camper, whether overnight or seasonal. It is just FAIR that campers now pay the same tax that anyone else staying temporarily does. And give me a break, if Maine and Vermont were so great then you people would already be camping there! Even with the tax, incidental costs are still cheaper in NH. And for those of you that may leave? Camping abhors a vacuum, and your site will soon be filled. Ah, this debate is pointless....millions of dollars in new revenue? Pony up July 1st!
- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH

It is "them" against "us" .. when you see a state employee sitting on his ... call the governor, the department he works for, etc. Call, Call, Call, ... don't hold back. The socialists figure we will just take it .. well? Are you going to take it? Or are you going to run for office, call call call,, basically become a big pain in the ....
- tom, Manchester, NH

this foolishness is right up there with the
shoreland protection act and the view tax,and is right out of the mass.playbook.governer patrick,even you have not thought of this one!
- charles, manchester,nh

"I think we should tax the state reps they make to much money. On top of that they don't mind taxing us more so why can't they take one for the team.
- Jw, Manchester"

That $100 per year really takes you a long way these days, I guess.
- Brian, Manchester

Smacks of the "stick it to the people attitude" that the Vermont Legislature has.
- william robie, east barre, vt

It seems a bit unfair to tax people to bring their own campers or tents to set up on a lot that pays property taxes. Doesn't that sound like double taxation? Paying taxes on the same lot twice? Once by the property owner and once by the camper.
- Chet, North Hampton

Thomas Thorpe needs a basic lesson in economics. No camping tax = more revenue for the state in other taxes such as tolls, registrations, booze, lottery, meals, etc. Why do i want to kick out another 9% when i can go to VT, ME or NY which also offers quality camping.
- Alex K., Deering, NH

People should be paying the taxes when they use those campsites - what's the big deal. Nobody wants to pay anything in this state until it directly effects them and then they boo hoo.
As for the state reps - wrong state - in Mass. they make money, in NH there are way too many reps and they make nothing - except their social security as most of them are retired!
Talk to someone at the state level. There cuts have been drastic. NH is suffering but there are other states that are suffering even more.
- joco, manchester, nh

Unfortunately people like Thomas from Portsmouth just don't get it. The campground owners don't pay the tax, the campers pay it. The campground's are just responsible for collecting it.
- Tim, Londonderry, NH

Ill just have to go to Maine and stop spending my vacation money in NH
- John, Smith

Despite Sen. Larson’s rhetoric, the whole budget is irresponsible. The legislature should start over again: cut programs, eliminate state positions, if necessary, and hold real public hearings on tax increases after they have examined every possible way to streamline the state's operations. The newly elected legislature has lived-up to expectations: tax and spend. I hope voters take a hard look at our how our legislature chooses to balance the state's budget: on the backs of hard-working small business people eking out a living. Between the increased room and meals tax and expanded taxes on partnerships and LLCs, the most popular corporate entities for small businesses, our legislative leaders have put the interests of government bureaucracies above those of job creating small businesses. I hope voters remember these legislative priorities next November.
- Mike, Bedford

The White Mountain National Forest offers 23 different campgrounds for about $20/night. If the proposed 9% New Hampshire tax becomes law, it will not apply to any of these WMNF campgrounds.
- Walter, Meredith NH

Wait a minute! These campers should have been paying their fair share all along. It is about time the State closed up this loophole. Just because the campground association had a good lobbyist in the past doesn't mean this unfairness should continue. Taxation should be fair and across the board. If indeed the State is losing out on millions of dollars in revenue because one particular industry is exploiting a loophole, then I salute the legislature for closing it and having everyone pay their fair and appropriate share. Cough it up campers!
- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH

I think we should tax the state reps they make to much money. On top of that they don't mind taxing us more so why can't they take one for the team.
- Jw, Manchester