Connie Lane, Concord State Rep. Candidate, District 16
Patch Candidate Profile, Connie Lane
Age (as of Sept. 1, 2024)
Town or City of Residence
Concord, NH
Position Sought
State Representative Merrimack District 16
My husband is Stan Diehl. We have a blended family of 4 adult men, and 2 daughter-in-laws.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Valedictorian of Chamblee High School, Chamblee, GA, in 1973. Graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Georgia with a BA in Political Science in 1977. Graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1980.
I am a retired attorney with 43 years of experience in various types of law, including legal aid, non-profit organizations, commercial finance, real estate and family law.
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
I have served 3 terms as State Representative for Ward 2. I also was appointed by Governor Sununu to 2 terms to the NH Housing Finance Authority.
Campaign website
www.connielane4staterep.com
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
I think affordable housing is the most critical issue facing my district, as well as the rest of New Hampshire. Without affordable housing, it is extremely difficult to grow our economy by attracting new employers or growing existing businesses. The cost of living in NH is much more than in other parts of the country due to the high costs of housing. When employers look at NH, they must be assured that their workers will be able to afford housing. Similarly, entrepreneurs expanding their business need affordable housing for their new employees. I have supported numerous bills over the past 6 years to address the core causes of affordable housing, some of which have been successful and others not. There is no one silver bullet that will solve our housing crisis. The solution lies in implementing multiple strategies, each of which are designed to allow more housing units to be built. These strategies must embrace change and innovation, which can be hard for some to accept. Some solutions that I will continue to push through legislation or persuasion include: allowing one or more accessory dwelling units on a lot with minimal requirements regarding their size or location; allowing commercial buildings to be rezoned and repurposed as residential units; allowing more manufactured housing developments throughout the city; allowing higher densities in some areas such as is allowed in the downtown portions of the city; allowing shared sewers and wells within a development to reduce the cost of building; not requiring granite curbing and other expensive design elements in developments; flexibility with zoning regulations that permit what are called "pocket neighborhoods" or planned unit developments; creating housing trusts; exploring public-private partnerships between municipalities and developers; and, of course, committing more state funds to the financing of multi-family and single family housing development. We must think of housing as infrastructure that is crucial to the growth of our economy and our community.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Unlike my opponent, I understand that climate change is most important issue facing our nation and our planet. Science does not lie. We must begin to implement strategies that address the changes that are occurring in our climate and those that help decrease the harm that we have unwittingly caused to our planet. I have supported and will continue to support whatever we can do to address this existential crisis, including supporting green energy alternatives, while taking advantage of interim sources of energy, such as domestic oil and natural gas. We lag behind other New England states in taking measures to insure that our planet does not deteriorate any further due to climate change.
My opponent opposes the legalization of cannabis, while I support it.
I also support finding an equitable way to fund our NH public schools without total reliance on property taxes. The state has a constitutional responsibility to provide a quality public education to its residents. It should not fall on the residents of each municipality to fund its own school system. When we do that, it results in inequitable school systems across the State. The quality of your schooling should not depend on your zip code. I am also opposed to vouchers for private schools because the voucher program drains money from public schools and has not been held accountable for their spending despite being millions of dollars over budget.
I support common sense gun violence safety measures, which are supported by most NH voters, but my opponent does not. I know that most gun owners are responsible, but I also know that some are not. Universal background checks and other common sense measures do not violate the Second Amendment. We have guardrails around our other constitutional rights, such as the First Amendment, and the Second should not be immune from the sam treatment.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:
I support access to affordable healthcare by all residents and innovative measures on how to do that. Investing in infrastructure, including rail, broadband, green energy projects, and housing is critical to building a strong economy for NH. Finally, NH elections have been found to be fair and secure several times over the past 10 years by our governor and Secretary of State. There is no evidence of widespread fraud. We have multiple safeguards built into our system including hand ballots, audits, and recounts. We do not need to add any additional requirements to the voter registration system. Any additional requirements are tantamount to voter suppression.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this position?
I have been handling this position successfully for 6 years, earning the respect of both my Democrat and Republican colleagues. I am the Democratic leader on the House Election Committee, working across the aisle and with the Secretary of State to pass legislation that improves the security of our voting process and improving our campaign finance laws. I learned financial and other management skills in my role as owner in a small business, as chair of Red River Theatres, board member on NH Housing Finance Authority, and in other nonprofit board member positions over the past 36 years.
The best advice ever shared with me was...
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Treating others with respect and compassion has served me well in both my personal and professional lives. It is at the core of how I approach solutions to any problem. The golden rule reminds me to listen to others, acknowledge their thoughts and feelings, and communicate with them in a way that is considerate and compassionate. Adhering to the golden rule has helped me build stronger, more positive relationships with others, even if I do not agree with them on everything.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
The main reason that I am running for reelection is that I believe that all New Hampshire residents are entitled to equal opportunity and justice, regardless of their race, religion, sex, religion, or economic status. I believe in the rights of everyone to thrive in all areas of their lives – work, school, play, and health. Our economy must work for all of us, not just those at the top. We need to invest in infrastructure, education, and housing to build a strong future for ourselves, children and grandchildren. I understand the financial strains individuals, families, and small businesses are experiencing and what it will take to ease those financial pressures. A strong economy that works for all Granite Staters depends on an inclusive, thriving democracy where all voices are heard, welcomed, and protected.
