An interesting sidebar about being in the legislature is how it offers a window to what’s happening in NH. While the focus and attention has shifted to the Senate, there are a couple of issues still on the House’s radar screen that should provide a cultural marker on the State. Overall, the Session appears to have settled down and the animosity and bitterness that occurred when the extremists were in charge is gone. I attribute this to a new crop of representative, and the Speaker’s decision to integrate seating. Past practice was Dems sat on one side, and Republicans on the other separated by an invisible force-field. Now we find ourselves sitting next to members of the other party! Surprisingly, we’ve discovered they’re people just like us, they even have families! My seat mate is, about my age from northern Grafton County. He’s in his second term and seems to be a straight shooter and nice guy. Last week, he asked me if the Speaker’s behavior is really “her or an act?” He proceeded to say how last session he thought she was a rather prickly person; however he’s impressed by her ability to manage the House in a fair and professional manner. No matter who the Speaker is – it’s no easy task to manage and steer 400 egos. He then commented how he “didn’t know she had a sense of humor!” I thought about his comment and realized that the rancor that existed last term has vanished, and much of it is simply due to a change in the seating chart and opportunity to see others as people too – including the Speaker of the House!
I don’t want to mislead anyone in believing that no friction exists, or that we now routinely sit around singing Kumbayah. It’s just different now and while specific ideological divisions continue to exist, they’re now more collegial and somewhat less harsh. Among the Republicans, divisions are more noticeable – there’s the House Republican Alliance that continues the extremist-libertarian agenda of the last term, versus the more traditional “Main Street” Republicans who are more civil and approachable and would otherwise be thought of as conservatives. Interestingly, among the Democrats – the divisions are less transparent and more hidden. There is a clear inner-circle of reps loyal to the Speaker, and extremely protective of their access. Also because of last November’s election – there’s an extraordinarily large number of new legislators who as part of learning the ropes have bonded with other like minded members. Lastly, there are the more seasoned – some might say curmudgeons – such as yours truly, who tend to be cautiously suspicious. In the coming weeks, two issues (Casino Gambling & Northern Pass) may bring to light the divisions that separate House members and impact partisan solidarity, and provide a more transparent sociological snapshot on NH.
NORTHERN PASS
According to their website, Northern Pass is a proposed transmission line project to bring reliable competitively priced clean energy (hydropower) from Québec for use by residents and businesses in New Hampshire and New England. Proposed by PSNH and Hydro-Québec, the project is in the planning and permitting stage. Their goal is to enhance New England's economy by lowering energy costs and provide a foundation for long-term economic growth. Northern Pass promises 1,200 construction jobs and approximately $25 million a year in new property tax revenues to communities. Opponents are equally articulate with the mantra of “Trees Not Towers!” Much of the opposition is how the transmission lines will have a negative impact on tourism and property values. They argue that the only economic development tool left in the North Country is tourism which will be devastated by Northern Pass. Hopefully, we’ll find an agreeable solution since maintaining diverse energy sources is sound public policy, and buying energy from our neighbors is better than buying fossil-fuel from the Middle East!
CASINO GAMBLING
The other issue is Governor Hassan’s plan to establish a high-end casino along the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border, which she projects, will bring 80 million in revenue that’s needed to fund the Education and Mental Health Services that had been cut last session. Last week a new anti-casino group came forward that was heavily made up of prominent Democrats. Calling themselves Casino Free New Hampshire, they’re committed to defeating the casino bill. Among the leaders of CFNH are several affluent & prominent dems who surprisingly are openly challenging their governor, who they elected.
Watching all this unfold, I was sitting with a couple of seasoned, albeit technically “new” representatives. While technically newly elected, they’ve been politically active for decades having served as rep, senator, county-commissioner, and county attorney. Our conversation was amiable, candid and was for the most part objective in scope. While not trained as a sociologist, I noticed the one common denominator was how this Casino Free New Hampshire group consists of our more affluent members and from NH’s more well-heeled communities. Could it be they don’t connect with the challenges faced by average families in making ends meet, and paying for more programs will require sources other than increasing property taxes? So stay tuned, as I'm sure there's more to come.
