Terie Norelli

DENVER- House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth) says she is "very optimistic" about the Democrats maintaining control over the House.

"I'm feeling very optimistic about making history again in November with back-to-back Democratic victories," Norelli told PolitickerNH.com.

ROCHESTER-Over the past two days, Democrats have been criticizing U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) votes against increasing funding for a home heating assistance program.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides funding to citizens who need help paying their home oil bills. Democrats say McCain has voted against increased funding five times.

Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton), Senate President Sylvia Larsen (D-Concord) and House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth) will call for a special session tomorrow to deal with the budget deficit.

Lynch will ask the Executive Council to approve the special session that will take place after the House and Senate hold their regular sessions.

State Rep. Marlene DeChane (D-Barrington) has resigned her position as one of the House floor leaders.

DeChane resigned after being told by another floor leader that she should resign if she continues to oppose the House leadership.

Ray Buckley has been a controversial figure, but has delivered so far as Chairman of the Democratic Party in NH. He has done a good job filling the state senate slots with quality recruits. Find out who joins him this week in PolitickerNH.com’s Winners & Losers.

Former Speaker Donna Sytek was famous for saying getting the House to do anything is like trying to herd cats. With 400 members it is almost always impossible to get everyone going in the same direction.

One thing you do expect as Speaker is to have your leadership team willing to follow you. Well Terie Norelli found even that is not a giving, but when it is expected you should expect there be consequences.

House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth) has announced that three house committee vice chairs have resigned from their positions.

Norelli said the changes came after her and Majority Leader Mary Jane Wallner met with House Committee leaders.

Today House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth), hoping to find the middle ground, announced she endorses the concept of a constitutional amendment, just not the same one Lynch wants.

Gov. John Lynch heavily favors an amendment and there is no way his fellow Democrats making up the majority in the House were going to support it.

Today House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth), hoping to find the middle ground, announced she endorses the concept of a constitutional amendment, just not the same one Lynch wants.