It should be a better year than 2020, but it will have its challenges

Happy new year! Almost no one will miss 2020, I am certain. Although it seems the most significant hangover issues from that year are still with us: Covid-19, President Trump’s rants about the election, and the resulting unemployment, disruption and distancing. Fortunately, there appears to be hope on the horizon in the form of new leadership and vaccinations.

What do we have to anticipate in 2021? One of the most prominent observers of current events, Ian Bremmer of the Eurasia Group, ranks threats to stability in the coming year. His No. 1 threat is division in the United States, with those who do not accept reality of change clinging to the nonsense of the supposed Trump victory and denying President Biden the traditional acceptance and unity we have afforded presidents throughout U.S. history. This prediction is particularly worrisome, since unity and generosity of spirit — even when one’s candidate loses — should be the accepted norm.

Other threats, obviously, are the coronavirus, the rise of China, Russian resentment at becoming a second-rate power, and other indications that the American presence in the world, disrupted by the four years of Trump, may be difficult to reclaim, as our traditional friends worry about the dependability of a United States that produced a Trump presidency.

Biden will be faced with the challenges of getting the vaccine out and into arms, the economy, a closely divided government and the 24-hour news cycle.

In New Hampshire, as in all states, we will try to figure out how to get vaccinated, how to return to whatever “normal” is going to be and, when we have time to reflect, how to deal with those we have lost.

In public life, New Hampshire’s government will be split. Our representatives in Washington are all Democrats. In Concord, however, Republicans control the Executive Council, both houses of the Legislature and the governorship. In a wave election in November, which split between Washington and Concord — and gave the lie to anyone who thought somehow the election was being “stolen” — the return of the GOP to take control of the State House has some major effects.

Leaders Chuck Morse and Norm Packard, elected when Speaker Dick Hinch died suddenly of the virus, will lead a conservative majority that has its share of extreme partisans who defy science and logic, carry guns, refuse to wear masks and spew statements that make many people cringe.

And, like any first year of the biennium, 2021 is a budget year, and that is going to be the first priority of the Legislature. Dealing with what is to come will be a challenge, although recent reports on tax revenues for the state are encouraging.

Out of power, the Democrats will be dealing with their own issues.

Longtime Chairman Ray Buckley, perhaps unfairly tagged with responsibility for the dismal state results in the fall, undoubtedly will survive a challenge to his leadership, but will have to rebuild the party to challenge the GOP in 2022 — it will be interesting to see whether popular Gov. Chris Sununu will run again, challenge U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan or return to the private sector.

Buckley has some rising stars in his party, such as Dr./Sen. Tom Sherman of Rye, who, although now in the minority, may have the opportunity to display leadership that may attract support for higher office.

Other new faces will emerge in the House, although whether Democrats continue to hold the middle and not wander too far left probably will determine their fate.

How New Hampshire’s institutions of higher education will survive the pandemic and continue to attract students will be important to the state’s economy and culture. How museums, theaters, arts venues and cultural organizations survive will have a major effect on our future.

The real estate market, heated by the migration from cities, will continue to be a challenge to the state’s economy, as affordability of housing for workers who are needed to work in our industries is challenged by economic reality, given the wave of affluent people seeking to move here.

Restaurants, hotels, motels and resorts, basically furloughed in 2020, will struggle to make it to reopening, and how they do will have a major effect on the economy and optimism of New Hampshire.

So, welcome 2021. It may be better than the last one, but it will have its own challenges.

Luckily, New Hampshire and America are up to it!

Brad Cook is a Manchester attorney. The views expressed in this column are his own. He can be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.