Policy Blog NH

Declining Prices: Good News for State Policy?

In a recession the demand for goods and services drops, putting downward pressure on prices.   One measure of how severe this recession has been is that the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) may actually decline in 2009.  The last time this measure of consumer inflation dropped was in 1956.  This sounds like good news to the average consumer, but there are important state policy questions raised by a declining CPI.  Many policy decisions (including state education funding) are linked to consumer price changes. 

Access to mental health care for poorer children in wealthier communities

The relationship between income and the risk of mental illness has been extensively studied in the US.  Generally speaking, the higher one’s income is the lower the risk for mental illness.  This also holds true for the income of the community as well.  But, that doesn’t mean that the higher income communities in the state are without residents who, unfortunately, struggle with mental health needs.  This is especially true in communities with greater income inequality. 

The I-93 Project: An Incomplete Solution to Traffic

In 2008, the state of New Hampshire dished out over $600 million to expand and redesign 18 miles of the I-93 highway that stretches from Manchester to the Massachusetts border. With this addition of two lanes going either way, many expect the congestion problem that plagues the highway to disappear. There has even been talk of using one of the new lanes to accommodate only bus transit. Will the expansion of I-93 relieve traffic congestion problems?