Is New Hampshire walking away from its constitutional responsibility?
“When men enter into a state of society, they surrender up some of their natural rights to that society, in order to ensure the protection of others; and without such an equivalent, the surrender is void.
Article 3 NH Constitution (June 2, 1764)
The GOP has crafted a budget that is reckless and disgraceful for the state of NH. Basically their approach is that every city & town (individual ultimately) is on their own. Affected groups and citizens across the state are voicing their concern – but are being told by the Finance Chair to “shut up & get out”. Yes, this is how we speak to those keeping us safe and believe it is acceptable to place our most needy people at risk.
Here is an overview of how this budget affects services to NH‘s most needy and dramatically shift costs to the Cities and Towns.
CAN’T EVEN LOCK ‘EM UP & THROW AWAY THE KEY:
Closes the NH State Prison in Berlin;
Eliminates the Consumer Protection Bureau – the people who just successfully prosecuted NH biggest Ponzi Scheme last year;
Cuts support for Victims of Domestic Violence – thus overwhelm local law enforcement by cutting programs in half that help victims of domestic & sexual violence;
Cuts drug & alcohol treatment for about 25,000 people which will lead to higher crime rates and increased property taxes;
Repeals the category known as Children in Need of Services (CHINS) – thus l increase the burden and costs to schools & towns, as well as force many to be prosecuted as delinquent & incarcerated at costly youth facilities;
Reduces funds to repair Bridges and Unsafe Roads, which will increase local costs & put our infrastructure at risk.
KIDS – DISABLED – ELDERS – WORKING FAMILIES – NH joins the 3rd World:
Cuts services to people with developmental disabilities, services that help them live independently and stay out of more expensive nursing homes;
Cuts access to critical heath care services;
Eliminates preventative health care for children thus send health care costs for children skyrocketing & increase emergency room visits. NH Health care will now have to be rationed;
Hospitals will face a 115 million dollar tax increase which will raise costs for individuals and businesses and kill jobs in NH;
Eliminate treatment for 8,000 people who have the most serious mental illnesses – Now these individuals will be a danger to themselves and the community.
EDUCATION IS OVER RATED – YOU DON’T NEED IT:
Cuts Head Start;
Slashes dropout prevention & vocational technical programs [note: 20% of all NH wages come from smart manufacturing and high tech business (Center for Public Policy Studies) and that these programs are key for attracting & maintaining businesses];
Reduces special education programs to the lowest allowable legal level;
Eliminates funds for statewide special education programs;
Eliminates almost one million dollars in grants to schools & local community organizations through the State Arts Development which will impact 363,000 students;
Cuts almost in half funding for the Community College & University System – [UNH System 80 million ~ Community College System 10m];
House Republicans are stealing money from college students & their families to cover holes in this reckless and irresponsible budget. This is unprecedented – ever!
NH’s RACE TO THE BOTTOM:
This budget will kill thousands of NH jobs and attacks hard working NH people struggling to support their families. Thousands of jobs will be lost that will put NH’s economic recovery at risk and cause property taxes to rise to astronomical levels.
Implements a job killing collective bargaining agreement – worse than Wisconsin, which will lead to lower wages & higher unemployment. [Done at night – with no public hearing] this is an unprecedented attack on the people who protect you, teach your children & fix your roads;
Implements a 100 million dollar income tax on public employees & working families;
Eliminates 600 jobs at the Berlin State Prison;
Eliminates the Director of Economic Development for NH. Yeah! That will show business we’re serious about economic growth;
Cuts almost 1 million from the Innovative Research Center which has created public/private partnerships that spurs innovation & creates jobs;
Forces 4,000 community businesses to lay off workers;
Cuts 10 million dollars from childcare for low income parents forcing them to choose child care over jobs thus forcing them to rely on public assistance (which will be the cities & towns);
PROMISED TAX RELIEF “SMOKE & MIRRORS”:
Republicans lied to the people of NH when they said they would not downshift or raise taxes. This irresponsible, dangerous & reckless budget will increase property taxes to historic levels and at a time when so many middle class families can least afford to take the hit.
This GOP House Budget –
Shifts the cost of state government onto local communities in the form of public safety, education & health care;
Increases costs for students, families, & businesses;
Does not lower business or property taxes;
Implements a 100 million dollar income tax on public employees & working families;
Implements a 115 million dollar increase in business taxes on hospitals [guess where these costs will be passed onto – you & me];
Creates a 16 million dollar tax loophole by firing the state auditors [the guys who presently watch out for our interests]
In this week’s NH House Calendar – the minority blurb regarding the budget was they “cannot support HB1… because the level and breadth of the cuts will threaten essential programs and services necessary. If the Finance Committee had considered a responsible revenue estimate for the next two years, the minority believes that at least $200 million of the cuts could be restored. Further the minority believes that adjustments proposed to avoid paying hospitals over $116 million of disproportionate share support is essentially a new and inappropriate business tax. Finally … that the proposed increase in retirement contributions is essentially an income tax for almost all of our public employees”
Their recommendation was the budget should be declared inexpedient to legislate and killed. Let’s see what the 3:1 GOP NH House of Representatives – The People’s House – will do this week – stay tuned!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Who are these People!
The statehouse news this week has centered on the GOP House Budget and projected human service cuts that will dismantle NH’s social service infrastructure – forcing a downshift of costs to the cities and towns which will result in out of control property taxes! This all leads me to ask – Who are these People – can they really be this cold, heartless and selfish!
My mother always told me as a little boy to “not stare – it wasn’t polite”, however, for the past three months, sitting in Reps Hall – at the eastern end of section IV, [an area - I call the penalty box of political hockey] – I am constantly amazed by what comes out of their mouths and cannot help but stare and continuously ask – Who are these People and where do they come from!
Unfortunately, while much has been written about the new federal legislators – little can be found about NH House members. Being one of 400 allows for a degree of anonymity – a bad thing for the publicity seeking needy, but a valued tool for those who do not want to have their agenda exposed. Even some republicans have said they don’t know anything about these new guys. Note: I say guys because they are overwhelmingly male - this session has the lowest number of women members since something like 1974. But who are they – Are they all some sort of monolithic radical extremist political Borg – who think alike, act alike and look alike? That would be too easy.
So after three months of intensive staring – I believe they are not real republicans – they’re not even real conservatives, but radical extremists who want to deregulate everything and ultimately dismantle government.
Overall, they seem to fall into a continuum of center/center-right to extreme far right. I break them down into various sub groups: Standard Main Street Republicans (an endangered species) and the rest are tea bag types, or at least fellow travelers consisting of Home Grown Libertarians; Social Conservatives; and Free Staters.
MAIN STREET GOP:
Truly an endangered species – socially moderate, fiscally responsible, “live and let live” types are now near extinction. Sadly, should they voice disagreement with what is going on; they are immediately denounced as RINO’s (republicans in name only). I heard of a conversation with a distinguished old school republican who after talking about the need for responsible government, was denounced as ‘not really being one of us!’ FYI – once upon a time the state republican platform called for an income tax - the days of Winant, Peterson and Hager are long gone – this is not your father’s Republican Party!
TEA BAGGERS:
Now to call everyone else in the majority a member of the Tea Bag Movement would be wrong. Although many seem to identify with the tagline – they do come from different start off points.
Personally, what I really find the most offensive regarding this group is NOT their adherence to an originalist interpretation of the US & NH Constitutions. No – it is their usurpation of patriotic (historic) terms and that only their interpretation is accurate – a total intolerance for anything different. Yeah – that’s what I find especially troublesome – intolerance!
I break this collective crop of representatives into the following sub-groups – Social Conservatives, Home Grown Libertarians, and Free Staters
Social Conservatives: fewer in number than in other parts of the country, nevertheless this faith based subset is highly visible and seem willing to play ball with their more secular extremist colleagues. At first blush they appear to have cut a deal and postponed the repeal of same sex marriage. While some tout this as a victory – my concern is the issue will re-surface next year and be used to motivate their base to come out and vote in the ’12 elections, thus keep their majority.
Home Grown Libertarians: buoyed by numbers that they interpret as validation for their anti poor/anti family views – this group struts around talking in code and mumbling from the NH Constitution and starting a NH Militia. I secretly suspect that they are designing special uniforms with huge gold epaulets and lots of medals.
While some are truly sincere – many don’t seem to have too strong a link to what really is happening in the world. I suspect they are being used by others intent on turning NH into some sort of radical libertarian social science laboratory.
I include in this group a large number of Massachusetts expatriates who in many ways seem to have never fully left their home state [except for paying MA taxes.] Fiercely loud at opposing any broad based taxes – they sometimes seem to want all the creature comforts and services they left behind, especially more asphalt to Boston – they just don’t want to pay for it!
Free Staters: They appear to be driving the policy bus this session – and as such are the most dangerous and most invisible. It is not that they are quiet – it is that they (for the most part) hide their identity. Few have publically come out and stated they are Free Staters. Fortunately, they do give themselves away when it’s obvious they know nothing of NH history, geography or how to pronounce words like coos or how to correctly use ‘wicked’ in a sentence.
The Free State movement is a radical libertarian group who believe that, if they can get 20,000 like minded people to move to NH, they can take over and control local and state government. This would then provide an opportunity to dismantle government and experiment with their radical libertarian theories. Now – I know that I risk sounding like some kind of conspiracy theorist, but just look at what has been going on this session! I believe we are seeing the first wave of these interlopers who believe they know better than us – on how to run New Hampshire.
So who are they, and how do we expose them? If they were all a bunch of bomb throwing bullies we could easily tag them, however, many appear to be almost soft spoken – it’s only when they talk about guns that you see the intensity. In looking through the Blue Book it seems many suspected FS’s are educated possessing some social skills. Many also seem to be very tech savvy – maybe they have spent too much time alone before a computer screen communicating only with like minded souls. Actually this might be the crux of the problem – being affluent, and spoiled; they don’t have any knowledge about the needs of average NH families. All they care about are themselves and since they only know and talk to like minded people – they are convinced they know what’s best!
The Other ‘Real’ NH:
Allow me to compare this with a meeting I attended on Tuesday night in Claremont. A group consisting of union members, families, social service agencies and faith based groups met with our local State Senator. Basically, they were concerned about the House ideologues and what has been happening. Their hope is the NH Senate will be a counter weight and stem the tide to what they see as disaster.
Over a 100 people came out on a cold icy night to voice their fears about losing health retiree benefits, dismantling of collective bargaining, cuts in human services and weakening their ability to remain part of the middle class. Area state representatives were also invited – so we had an opportunity to hear, as well as put a face on our neighbors - the people who sent us to Concord.
Last week a long time representative stated that these proposed cuts are so bad that some people could die – hopefully it won’t come to that and the Senate and Governor will be the grownups. Let’s hope – because the People’s House is not listening!
My mother always told me as a little boy to “not stare – it wasn’t polite”, however, for the past three months, sitting in Reps Hall – at the eastern end of section IV, [an area - I call the penalty box of political hockey] – I am constantly amazed by what comes out of their mouths and cannot help but stare and continuously ask – Who are these People and where do they come from!
Unfortunately, while much has been written about the new federal legislators – little can be found about NH House members. Being one of 400 allows for a degree of anonymity – a bad thing for the publicity seeking needy, but a valued tool for those who do not want to have their agenda exposed. Even some republicans have said they don’t know anything about these new guys. Note: I say guys because they are overwhelmingly male - this session has the lowest number of women members since something like 1974. But who are they – Are they all some sort of monolithic radical extremist political Borg – who think alike, act alike and look alike? That would be too easy.
So after three months of intensive staring – I believe they are not real republicans – they’re not even real conservatives, but radical extremists who want to deregulate everything and ultimately dismantle government.
Overall, they seem to fall into a continuum of center/center-right to extreme far right. I break them down into various sub groups: Standard Main Street Republicans (an endangered species) and the rest are tea bag types, or at least fellow travelers consisting of Home Grown Libertarians; Social Conservatives; and Free Staters.
MAIN STREET GOP:
Truly an endangered species – socially moderate, fiscally responsible, “live and let live” types are now near extinction. Sadly, should they voice disagreement with what is going on; they are immediately denounced as RINO’s (republicans in name only). I heard of a conversation with a distinguished old school republican who after talking about the need for responsible government, was denounced as ‘not really being one of us!’ FYI – once upon a time the state republican platform called for an income tax - the days of Winant, Peterson and Hager are long gone – this is not your father’s Republican Party!
TEA BAGGERS:
Now to call everyone else in the majority a member of the Tea Bag Movement would be wrong. Although many seem to identify with the tagline – they do come from different start off points.
Personally, what I really find the most offensive regarding this group is NOT their adherence to an originalist interpretation of the US & NH Constitutions. No – it is their usurpation of patriotic (historic) terms and that only their interpretation is accurate – a total intolerance for anything different. Yeah – that’s what I find especially troublesome – intolerance!
I break this collective crop of representatives into the following sub-groups – Social Conservatives, Home Grown Libertarians, and Free Staters
Social Conservatives: fewer in number than in other parts of the country, nevertheless this faith based subset is highly visible and seem willing to play ball with their more secular extremist colleagues. At first blush they appear to have cut a deal and postponed the repeal of same sex marriage. While some tout this as a victory – my concern is the issue will re-surface next year and be used to motivate their base to come out and vote in the ’12 elections, thus keep their majority.
Home Grown Libertarians: buoyed by numbers that they interpret as validation for their anti poor/anti family views – this group struts around talking in code and mumbling from the NH Constitution and starting a NH Militia. I secretly suspect that they are designing special uniforms with huge gold epaulets and lots of medals.
While some are truly sincere – many don’t seem to have too strong a link to what really is happening in the world. I suspect they are being used by others intent on turning NH into some sort of radical libertarian social science laboratory.
I include in this group a large number of Massachusetts expatriates who in many ways seem to have never fully left their home state [except for paying MA taxes.] Fiercely loud at opposing any broad based taxes – they sometimes seem to want all the creature comforts and services they left behind, especially more asphalt to Boston – they just don’t want to pay for it!
Free Staters: They appear to be driving the policy bus this session – and as such are the most dangerous and most invisible. It is not that they are quiet – it is that they (for the most part) hide their identity. Few have publically come out and stated they are Free Staters. Fortunately, they do give themselves away when it’s obvious they know nothing of NH history, geography or how to pronounce words like coos or how to correctly use ‘wicked’ in a sentence.
The Free State movement is a radical libertarian group who believe that, if they can get 20,000 like minded people to move to NH, they can take over and control local and state government. This would then provide an opportunity to dismantle government and experiment with their radical libertarian theories. Now – I know that I risk sounding like some kind of conspiracy theorist, but just look at what has been going on this session! I believe we are seeing the first wave of these interlopers who believe they know better than us – on how to run New Hampshire.
So who are they, and how do we expose them? If they were all a bunch of bomb throwing bullies we could easily tag them, however, many appear to be almost soft spoken – it’s only when they talk about guns that you see the intensity. In looking through the Blue Book it seems many suspected FS’s are educated possessing some social skills. Many also seem to be very tech savvy – maybe they have spent too much time alone before a computer screen communicating only with like minded souls. Actually this might be the crux of the problem – being affluent, and spoiled; they don’t have any knowledge about the needs of average NH families. All they care about are themselves and since they only know and talk to like minded people – they are convinced they know what’s best!
The Other ‘Real’ NH:
Allow me to compare this with a meeting I attended on Tuesday night in Claremont. A group consisting of union members, families, social service agencies and faith based groups met with our local State Senator. Basically, they were concerned about the House ideologues and what has been happening. Their hope is the NH Senate will be a counter weight and stem the tide to what they see as disaster.
Over a 100 people came out on a cold icy night to voice their fears about losing health retiree benefits, dismantling of collective bargaining, cuts in human services and weakening their ability to remain part of the middle class. Area state representatives were also invited – so we had an opportunity to hear, as well as put a face on our neighbors - the people who sent us to Concord.
Last week a long time representative stated that these proposed cuts are so bad that some people could die – hopefully it won’t come to that and the Senate and Governor will be the grownups. Let’s hope – because the People’s House is not listening!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
This Was The Week That Was - NH Style
Friday – March 18, 2011
Coming off a wild legislative week, where NH House members arrived early and left late (e.g. 10pm 3/16) – I was reminded of the old TV program by David Frost. For those too young – he would take a satirical approach at reviewing the week’s News. While certainly not as talented as Mr. Frost – I will nevertheless attempt to provide an overview of activity this past week in the NH House.
Unfortunately, there was little in the way of comedy – although in a rather dark albeit sad way, the week did have its bizarre & dark comedic moments. From a member who with the help of a sheleighly like stick kept popping up at the well (podium) like a leprechaun minus his “pot of gold” and mouthing words difficult to follow – to a surprise visit by former Speaker Newt Gingrich (the NH Primary season is upon us) – to several legislators being scolded and ordered to their seats – caused for breaks in the process of Aye’s, Nay’s, OTP’s and ITL’s…
Early in the week, a well respected senior republican senator related how he could never recall the House being in session for 3 days in a row and so late into the evening – and with a twinkle in his eye, he thanked his lucky stars that he now belongs to the other body of the NH General Court. Needless to say – with 200-300 bills to dispose of – we journeyed on to This Was The Week That Was – NH Style…
OVERVIEW:
After a quick count – it seems that we addressed a total of 272 pieces of legislation; however about 161 were passed on consent – so we only debated something like 128 in three days – nevertheless, certainly yeoman work for a citizen legislature obsessed with Jefferson’s “Agrarian Myth” and an era long gone. So here goes:
EDUCATION – NOT NH’s PROBLEM:
The NH House decided (252-113) to pass a constitutional amendment (CACR 12) that walks away from the state’s responsibility to fund education and if successful will take the Supreme Court out of the scenario. It is like the collective entity known as the State of NH does not exist, but each city & town will be left to their own devises and on their own. Of course, as nihilistic as this seems – in this present climate where everyone is out just for themselves (individualism to the max), what else should we expect but this kind of thinking to win the day.
INCOME TAX ON RETIREES:
The NH House voted to violate its promise to NH retirees regarding medical benefits. Regardless that this is payment for services rendered – the NH House voted 188–120 (HB 231-FN) to charge retirees on fixed incomes a significant amount of their modest incomes to pay for benefits. The average pension for a Group I retiree is $11,000 per year – this translates into an income tax on the elderly of NH. So much for keeping promises…
NO TO JOBS – NO TO INFRASTRUCTURE – NO TO BUSINESS:
In a 190-119 vote, the NH House decided to de-rail the NH Passenger Rail Authority. Despite the fact that this volunteer group has not cost the state a dime – and has been funded by private sector donations resulting in a 4.2 million dollar grant to study the feasibility of re-building rail service through the Merrimack River Valley from Mass thru Nashua to Manchester & Concord. The legislature said NO – NOT NEEDED. Despite a spectrum of experts who testified that it would create jobs, enhance an integrated transportation network and impact an area where 35% of the state’s population resides.
NO WORKING FAMILIES NEEDED:
The House overturned a committee recommendation relative to workforce housing that has been in effect for two years and supported by numerous communities and planning experts across the state. Workforce housing allows cities and towns creative ways to provide affordable housing for middle class families such as nurses, fire and police as well as teachers to live in the communities they work. Sadly, this legislature chose (219-110) to overturn existing law and impose obstacles for young families starting out.
GUNS & PARENTAL RIGHTS:
What do the two have in common you ask? I don’t know, but a constitutional amendment dealing with parental rights wrapped itself around the argument that the bearings of arms and parents rights were somehow connected. Regardless of the fact that both the US and NH Supreme Courts have recognized the natural rights of parents to raise their children and that the problem lies not in the constitution but in culture. Note: the constitutional amendment failed, but not before garnering 212 representatives in support.
WHO’S DA BOSS!!!
Regardless that we may be exceeding our constitutional authority, in a 259-107 vote, the House mandated the NH Attorney General to join the law suit challenging the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Now the AG has stated that he will challenge this in court as his office is part of the executive branch of state government. But these arguments didn’t carry the day – even if such a venture will be timely and costly to the taxpayer. Historically, the manner to resolve such an issue would be to solicit an Opinion of the Justices (you know that 3rd branch of government), but heck we’re the General Court and its only money we don’t have!
PISTOL PACKIN MAMA’S & PAPA’S:
This has been a strange session where it seems anything dealing with guns has priority – maybe even more important on the radical extremists’ list of priorities than dismantling government! HB 210 was relative to the use of deadly force. Now it doesn’t matter that no one has been jailed for not retreating and the issue has not been a problem, but 270-92 representatives voted to pass it anyway. Another gun bill (HB 330-FN) was relative to carrying a firearm (concealed, loaded, or unloaded) without a license. It seems that having to get a special permit to carry a concealed weapon really is too inconvenient. So in a vote of 244 – 109 the NH House voted for what they call constitutional carry. Yippee KY-yo, Welcome to Dodge!
GO TO JAIL – THROW AWAY THE KEY!
HB 524-FN dealing with persons convicted of violent crimes was passed 264 – 97, which results in critical and crippling changes to a bill passed last year. Regardless that the Attorney General, or a former republican Speaker of the House testified as to how parole is an effective tool in transitioning prisoners back into society and allows for supervision and control vs. just opening the doors and saying “see yah” when someone has completed their sentence. Even costs didn’t impact this crowd as it cost the taxpayers’ $33,000 dollars per year to house one prisoner.
NO TO VACINATIONS – NOT!
In a surprising moment of common sense – the House defeated (294-49) an attempt to prohibit vaccinations in public school (HB 422). Thankfully a house member who is a retired public health professional inoculated us against a swarm of half truths & falsehoods. I know this crowd would like to go back to a “past time” – thankfully returning to the Middle Ages and the Black Death was seen as too drastic.
DON’T BOGART THAT MED JOINT – MY FRIEND:
Another surprise was the overwhelming support (221-96) received relative to passing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. So far it appears that marijuana and ethanol are the only issues NH can get bi-partisan agreement!
NH DEFENSE FORCE – ON HOLD (FOR NOW):
In a 175 to 137 vote the House tabled a bill establishing a state defense force. This would be a “militia” force in addition, but separate, to the NH National Guard. I guess it could be called into action to invade Canada, in light of their decision several weeks ago to condemn the Quebeckers over salmon fishing licenses. YES – 137 reps actually voted for this - maybe they saw it as a jobs bill.
SORRY CHARLIE!
The House decided to table (Committee recommendation was to pass) a piece of legislation that would have ordered our federal senators to vote against the Law of the Sea Convention – Sorry - no reprieve for Charlie the Tuna
DON’T WANT TO PAY – DON’T WORRY:
Reduce the interest rate on late and delinquent property tax payments and other unpaid taxes. Sounds great – right! If someone doesn’t pay their property tax bill when due - they now won’t have to pay a penalty. Of course each unpaid property tax bill means that the other conscientious taxpayers in the town will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to make up the difference because towns will have cash flow problems which will result in their having to borrow more to operate. But don’t worry – be happy – it sounds good. Why let reality enter into the scheme of things.
Now – I could go on (there really is more) – however it is too painful to continue – so I hope you will understand.
R. Gagnon, Representative
NH House – Sullivan District IV
Coming off a wild legislative week, where NH House members arrived early and left late (e.g. 10pm 3/16) – I was reminded of the old TV program by David Frost. For those too young – he would take a satirical approach at reviewing the week’s News. While certainly not as talented as Mr. Frost – I will nevertheless attempt to provide an overview of activity this past week in the NH House.
Unfortunately, there was little in the way of comedy – although in a rather dark albeit sad way, the week did have its bizarre & dark comedic moments. From a member who with the help of a sheleighly like stick kept popping up at the well (podium) like a leprechaun minus his “pot of gold” and mouthing words difficult to follow – to a surprise visit by former Speaker Newt Gingrich (the NH Primary season is upon us) – to several legislators being scolded and ordered to their seats – caused for breaks in the process of Aye’s, Nay’s, OTP’s and ITL’s…
Early in the week, a well respected senior republican senator related how he could never recall the House being in session for 3 days in a row and so late into the evening – and with a twinkle in his eye, he thanked his lucky stars that he now belongs to the other body of the NH General Court. Needless to say – with 200-300 bills to dispose of – we journeyed on to This Was The Week That Was – NH Style…
OVERVIEW:
After a quick count – it seems that we addressed a total of 272 pieces of legislation; however about 161 were passed on consent – so we only debated something like 128 in three days – nevertheless, certainly yeoman work for a citizen legislature obsessed with Jefferson’s “Agrarian Myth” and an era long gone. So here goes:
EDUCATION – NOT NH’s PROBLEM:
The NH House decided (252-113) to pass a constitutional amendment (CACR 12) that walks away from the state’s responsibility to fund education and if successful will take the Supreme Court out of the scenario. It is like the collective entity known as the State of NH does not exist, but each city & town will be left to their own devises and on their own. Of course, as nihilistic as this seems – in this present climate where everyone is out just for themselves (individualism to the max), what else should we expect but this kind of thinking to win the day.
INCOME TAX ON RETIREES:
The NH House voted to violate its promise to NH retirees regarding medical benefits. Regardless that this is payment for services rendered – the NH House voted 188–120 (HB 231-FN) to charge retirees on fixed incomes a significant amount of their modest incomes to pay for benefits. The average pension for a Group I retiree is $11,000 per year – this translates into an income tax on the elderly of NH. So much for keeping promises…
NO TO JOBS – NO TO INFRASTRUCTURE – NO TO BUSINESS:
In a 190-119 vote, the NH House decided to de-rail the NH Passenger Rail Authority. Despite the fact that this volunteer group has not cost the state a dime – and has been funded by private sector donations resulting in a 4.2 million dollar grant to study the feasibility of re-building rail service through the Merrimack River Valley from Mass thru Nashua to Manchester & Concord. The legislature said NO – NOT NEEDED. Despite a spectrum of experts who testified that it would create jobs, enhance an integrated transportation network and impact an area where 35% of the state’s population resides.
NO WORKING FAMILIES NEEDED:
The House overturned a committee recommendation relative to workforce housing that has been in effect for two years and supported by numerous communities and planning experts across the state. Workforce housing allows cities and towns creative ways to provide affordable housing for middle class families such as nurses, fire and police as well as teachers to live in the communities they work. Sadly, this legislature chose (219-110) to overturn existing law and impose obstacles for young families starting out.
GUNS & PARENTAL RIGHTS:
What do the two have in common you ask? I don’t know, but a constitutional amendment dealing with parental rights wrapped itself around the argument that the bearings of arms and parents rights were somehow connected. Regardless of the fact that both the US and NH Supreme Courts have recognized the natural rights of parents to raise their children and that the problem lies not in the constitution but in culture. Note: the constitutional amendment failed, but not before garnering 212 representatives in support.
WHO’S DA BOSS!!!
Regardless that we may be exceeding our constitutional authority, in a 259-107 vote, the House mandated the NH Attorney General to join the law suit challenging the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Now the AG has stated that he will challenge this in court as his office is part of the executive branch of state government. But these arguments didn’t carry the day – even if such a venture will be timely and costly to the taxpayer. Historically, the manner to resolve such an issue would be to solicit an Opinion of the Justices (you know that 3rd branch of government), but heck we’re the General Court and its only money we don’t have!
PISTOL PACKIN MAMA’S & PAPA’S:
This has been a strange session where it seems anything dealing with guns has priority – maybe even more important on the radical extremists’ list of priorities than dismantling government! HB 210 was relative to the use of deadly force. Now it doesn’t matter that no one has been jailed for not retreating and the issue has not been a problem, but 270-92 representatives voted to pass it anyway. Another gun bill (HB 330-FN) was relative to carrying a firearm (concealed, loaded, or unloaded) without a license. It seems that having to get a special permit to carry a concealed weapon really is too inconvenient. So in a vote of 244 – 109 the NH House voted for what they call constitutional carry. Yippee KY-yo, Welcome to Dodge!
GO TO JAIL – THROW AWAY THE KEY!
HB 524-FN dealing with persons convicted of violent crimes was passed 264 – 97, which results in critical and crippling changes to a bill passed last year. Regardless that the Attorney General, or a former republican Speaker of the House testified as to how parole is an effective tool in transitioning prisoners back into society and allows for supervision and control vs. just opening the doors and saying “see yah” when someone has completed their sentence. Even costs didn’t impact this crowd as it cost the taxpayers’ $33,000 dollars per year to house one prisoner.
NO TO VACINATIONS – NOT!
In a surprising moment of common sense – the House defeated (294-49) an attempt to prohibit vaccinations in public school (HB 422). Thankfully a house member who is a retired public health professional inoculated us against a swarm of half truths & falsehoods. I know this crowd would like to go back to a “past time” – thankfully returning to the Middle Ages and the Black Death was seen as too drastic.
DON’T BOGART THAT MED JOINT – MY FRIEND:
Another surprise was the overwhelming support (221-96) received relative to passing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. So far it appears that marijuana and ethanol are the only issues NH can get bi-partisan agreement!
NH DEFENSE FORCE – ON HOLD (FOR NOW):
In a 175 to 137 vote the House tabled a bill establishing a state defense force. This would be a “militia” force in addition, but separate, to the NH National Guard. I guess it could be called into action to invade Canada, in light of their decision several weeks ago to condemn the Quebeckers over salmon fishing licenses. YES – 137 reps actually voted for this - maybe they saw it as a jobs bill.
SORRY CHARLIE!
The House decided to table (Committee recommendation was to pass) a piece of legislation that would have ordered our federal senators to vote against the Law of the Sea Convention – Sorry - no reprieve for Charlie the Tuna
DON’T WANT TO PAY – DON’T WORRY:
Reduce the interest rate on late and delinquent property tax payments and other unpaid taxes. Sounds great – right! If someone doesn’t pay their property tax bill when due - they now won’t have to pay a penalty. Of course each unpaid property tax bill means that the other conscientious taxpayers in the town will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to make up the difference because towns will have cash flow problems which will result in their having to borrow more to operate. But don’t worry – be happy – it sounds good. Why let reality enter into the scheme of things.
Now – I could go on (there really is more) – however it is too painful to continue – so I hope you will understand.
R. Gagnon, Representative
NH House – Sullivan District IV
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