Does the Gas Tax Bill The NH House Just Passed Violate the State Constitution? - Granite Grok

Does the Gas Tax Bill The NH House Just Passed Violate the State Constitution?

NH House passes gas tax in violation of NH Constitution

The short answer is yes.  Yes, it does.  (The long answer will be nothing but excuses from its proponents.)

Part II, Article 6-a, states that any money raised through gas taxes (gas road tolls), must be used exclusively for public highways and “no part of such revenues shall, by transfer or funds or otherwise, be diverted to any other purpose whatsoever.”

[Art.] 6-a. [Use of Certain Revenues Restricted to Highways.] All revenue in excess of the necessary cost of collection and administration accruing to the state from registration fees, operators’ licenses, gasoline road tolls or any other special charges or taxes with respect to the operation of motor vehicles or the sale or consumption of motor vehicle fuels shall be appropriated and used exclusively for the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of public highways within this state, including the supervision of traffic thereon and payment of the interest and principal of obligations incurred for said purposes; and no part of such revenues shall, by transfer of funds or otherwise, be diverted to any other purpose whatsoever.

So HB 617 is unconstitutional.

Note to the NH State Senate   HB 617 cannot raise funds through a gas tax for any other purpose.  If you were looking for a way to kill it you have your out.  (Or should I now expect a litany of loopholes and end-arounds from revenue junkies?)

Fifteen Republicans voted for it, as did 192 Democrats.  Ten Democrats crossed the aisle to vote against the unconstitutional tax on the middle class and small business owners.  We appreciate their support on this issue.

Democrats who voted no

Carroll, Douglas Democrat
Cote, David Democrat
Garcia, Michael Democrat
Leishman, Peter Democrat
O’Flaherty, Tim Democrat
Parkhurst, Henry Democrat
Rosenwald, Cindy Democrat
Shaw, Barbara Democrat
Thomas, Yvonne Democrat
White, Syndi Democrat

 

Here is the full list of Yea votes for HB 617

Rep Party County District Vote
Aguiar, James Democrat Grafton 7 Yea
Alicea, Caroletta Democrat Merrimack 8 Yea
Almy, Susan Democrat Grafton 13 Yea
Ames, Richard Democrat Cheshire 9 Yea
Andrews, Christopher Democrat Merrimack 23 Yea
Andrews-Ahearn, E. Elaine Democrat Rockingham 37 Yea
Arsenault, Beth Democrat Belknap 9 Yea
Baber, William Democrat Strafford 14 Yea
Backus, Robert Democrat Hillsborough 19 Yea
Bartlett, Christy Democrat Merrimack 19 Yea
Beaulieu, Jane Democrat Hillsborough 45 Yea
Benn, Bernard Democrat Grafton 12 Yea
Berch, Paul Democrat Cheshire 1 Yea
Berube, Roger Democrat Strafford 18 Yea
Bixby, Peter Democrat Strafford 17 Yea
Boisvert, Ronald Democrat Hillsborough 45 Yea
Borden, David Democrat Rockingham 24 Yea
Bouchard, Candace Democrat Merrimack 18 Yea
Briden, Steven Democrat Rockingham 18 Yea
Brown, Pam Democrat Hillsborough 31 Yea
Brown, Rebecca Democrat Grafton 2 Yea
Buco, Thomas Democrat Carroll 2 Yea
Burdwood, Greg Democrat Strafford 17 Yea
Burke, Rachel Democrat Strafford 2 Yea
Burns, Scott Democrat Merrimack 2 Yea
Burridge, Delmar Democrat Cheshire 16 Yea
Burtis, Elizabeth Democrat Rockingham 6 Yea
Butler, Edward Democrat Carroll 7 Yea
Butynski, William Democrat Cheshire 1 Yea
Cahill, Michael Democrat Rockingham 17 Yea
Cali-Pitts, Jacqueline Democrat Rockingham 30 Yea
Campbell, David Democrat Hillsborough 33 Yea
Carey, Lorrie Democrat Merrimack 26 Yea
Carson, Clyde Democrat Merrimack 7 Yea
Chandley, Shannon Democrat Hillsborough 22 Yea
Chase, Cynthia Democrat Cheshire 8 Yea
Cloutier, John Democrat Sullivan 10 Yea
Connor, Evelyn Democrat Hillsborough 2 Yea
Cooney, Mary Democrat Grafton 8 Yea
Coulombe, Gary Democrat Coos 3 Yea
Cushing, Robert Democrat Rockingham 21 Yea
Danielson, David Republican Hillsborough 7 Yea
Davis, Frank Democrat Merrimack 20 Yea
DiMartino, Lisa Democrat Belknap 2 Yea
DiSilvestro, Linda Democrat Hillsborough 9 Yea
Eaton, Daniel Democrat Cheshire 3 Yea
Ebel, Karen Democrat Merrimack 5 Yea
Emerson-Brown, Rebecca Democrat Rockingham 27 Yea
Enman, Larry Democrat Coos 1 Yea
Flockhart, Eileen Democrat Rockingham 18 Yea
Ford, Susan Democrat Grafton 3 Yea
Frambach, Mary Democrat Merrimack 21 Yea
Frazer, June Democrat Merrimack 13 Yea
French, Barbara Democrat Merrimack 6 Yea
Friedrich, Carol Democrat Grafton 16 Yea
Friel, William Republican Rockingham 14 Yea
Gage, Ruth Democrat Hillsborough 6 Yea
Gagnon, Raymond Democrat Sullivan 5 Yea
Gale, Sylvia Democrat Hillsborough 28 Yea
Gardner, Janice Democrat Strafford 15 Yea
Gidge, Kenneth Democrat Hillsborough 33 Yea
Gile, Mary Democrat Merrimack 27 Yea
Goley, Jeffrey Democrat Hillsborough 8 Yea
Gorman, Mary Democrat Hillsborough 31 Yea
Gottling, Suzanne Democrat Sullivan 2 Yea
Grady, Brenda Democrat Hillsborough 21 Yea
Graham, John Republican Hillsborough 7 Yea
Grassie, Anne Democrat Strafford 11 Yea
Grenier, James Republican Sullivan 7 Yea
Grossman, Kenneth Democrat Strafford 4 Yea
Gulick, Ruth Democrat Belknap 1 Yea
Hammon, Marcia Democrat Coos 5 Yea
Hammond, Jill Democrat Hillsborough 24 Yea
Hansberry, Daniel Democrat Hillsborough 35 Yea
Harding, Laurie Democrat Grafton 13 Yea
Harriott-Gathright, Linda Democrat Hillsborough 36 Yea
Hatch, William Democrat Coos 6 Yea
Heden, Ruth Democrat Hillsborough 23 Yea
Heffron, Frank Democrat Rockingham 18 Yea
Helmstetter, Barbara Democrat Rockingham 9 Yea
Henle, Paul Democrat Merrimack 12 Yea
Hess, David Republican Merrimack 24 Yea
Higgins, Patricia Democrat Grafton 12 Yea
Hirsch, Geoffrey Democrat Merrimack 6 Yea
Hooper, Dorothea Democrat Strafford 16 Yea
Horrigan, Timothy Democrat Strafford 6 Yea
Hubbard, Pamela Democrat Strafford 12 Yea
Hunt, Jane Democrat Merrimack 15 Yea
Huot, David Democrat Belknap 3 Yea
Irwin, Virginia Democrat Sullivan 6 Yea
Jack, Martin Democrat Hillsborough 36 Yea
Jasper, Shawn Republican Hillsborough 37 Yea
Johnsen, Gladys Democrat Cheshire 7 Yea
Kaen, Naida Democrat Strafford 5 Yea
Karrick, David Democrat Merrimack 25 Yea
Katsiantonis, George Democrat Hillsborough 17 Yea
Katsiantonis, Thomas Democrat Hillsborough 15 Yea
Kelley, John Democrat Hillsborough 32 Yea
Kelly, Sally Democrat Merrimack 20 Yea
Ketel, Stephen Democrat Strafford 17 Yea
Khan, Aboul Republican Rockingham 20 Yea
Kidder, David Republican Merrimack 5 Yea
Knowles, Mary Ann Democrat Hillsborough 37 Yea
Lauer, Linda Democrat Grafton 15 Yea
Lavender, Tom Democrat Carroll 5 Yea
Lefebvre, Benjamin Democrat Sullivan 1 Yea
Lerandeau, Alfred Democrat Cheshire 12 Yea
Levesque, Melanie Democrat Hillsborough 26 Yea
Lockwood, Priscilla Republican Merrimack 9 Yea
Long, Patrick Democrat Hillsborough 42 Yea
Lovejoy, Patricia Democrat Rockingham 36 Yea
Lovett, Sid Democrat Grafton 8 Yea
MacKay, James Democrat Merrimack 14 Yea
MacKay, Mariellen Democrat Hillsborough 30 Yea
Malloy, Dennis Democrat Strafford 4 Yea
Manley, Jonathan Democrat Hillsborough 3 Yea
Mann, John Democrat Cheshire 2 Yea
Mann, Maureen Democrat Rockingham 32 Yea
Massimilla, Linda Democrat Grafton 1 Yea
McCloskey, David Democrat Hillsborough 16 Yea
McConkey, Mark Republican Carroll 3 Yea
McNamara, Richard Democrat Hillsborough 38 Yea
Menear, H. Robert Democrat Strafford 25 Yea
Miller, David Democrat Strafford 23 Yea
Milz, David Republican Rockingham 6 Yea
Moffett, Howard Democrat Merrimack 9 Yea
Moody, Marcia Democrat Rockingham 17 Yea
Moynihan, Wayne Democrat Coos 2 Yea
Mulholland, Catherine Democrat Grafton 17 Yea
Muns, Chris Democrat Rockingham 21 Yea
Myler, Mel Democrat Merrimack 10 Yea
Nelson, Mary Democrat Hillsborough 35 Yea
Nordgren, Sharon Democrat Grafton 12 Yea
O’Brien, Michael Democrat Hillsborough 36 Yea
O’Hearne, Andrew Democrat Sullivan 3 Yea
Pantelakos, Laura Democrat Rockingham 25 Yea
Pastor, Beatriz Democrat Grafton 12 Yea
Patten, Dick Democrat Merrimack 17 Yea
Pelletier, Marsha Democrat Strafford 20 Yea
Perry, Robert Democrat Strafford 3 Yea
Phillips, Larry Democrat Cheshire 5 Yea
Piper, Wendy Democrat Grafton 10 Yea
Porter, Marjorie Democrat Hillsborough 1 Yea
Ramsey, Peter Democrat Hillsborough 8 Yea
Ratzki, Mario Democrat Merrimack 1 Yea
Raymond, Ian Democrat Belknap 4 Yea
Rhodes, Brian Democrat Hillsborough 30 Yea
Rice, Chip Democrat Merrimack 27 Yea
Richardson, Gary Democrat Merrimack 10 Yea
Roberts, Kris Democrat Cheshire 4 Yea
Robertson, Timothy Democrat Cheshire 6 Yea
Rogers, Katherine Democrat Merrimack 28 Yea
Rogers, Rose Marie Democrat Strafford 22 Yea
Rokas, Ted Democrat Hillsborough 12 Yea
Rollo, Deanna Democrat Strafford 18 Yea
Sad, Tara Democrat Cheshire 1 Yea
Scarlotto, Joe Democrat Rockingham 31 Yea
Schamberg, Thomas Democrat Merrimack 4 Yea
Schlachman, Donna Democrat Rockingham 18 Yea
Schmidt, Andrew Democrat Sullivan 1 Yea
Schmidt, Janice Democrat Hillsborough 28 Yea
Schmidt, Peter Democrat Strafford 19 Yea
Schuett, Dianne Democrat Merrimack 20 Yea
Shattuck, Gilman Democrat Hillsborough 1 Yea
Shepardson, Marjorie Democrat Cheshire 10 Yea
Sherman, Thomas Democrat Rockingham 24 Yea
Shurtleff, Stephen Democrat Merrimack 11 Yea
Smith, Marjorie Democrat Strafford 6 Yea
Smith, Suzanne Democrat Grafton 8 Yea
Smith, Timothy Democrat Hillsborough 17 Yea
Soucy, Timothy Democrat Hillsborough 34 Yea
Spang, Judith Democrat Strafford 6 Yea
Spratt, Stephen Democrat Hillsborough 4 Yea
Stevens, Audrey Democrat Strafford 7 Yea
Sullivan, Daniel Democrat Hillsborough 42 Yea
Sullivan, Peter Democrat Hillsborough 10 Yea
Sweeney, Cynthia Democrat Sullivan 8 Yea
Sykes, George Democrat Grafton 13 Yea
Sytek, John Republican Rockingham 8 Yea
Takesian, Charlene Republican Hillsborough 37 Yea
Tanner, Linda Democrat Sullivan 9 Yea
Theberge, Robert Democrat Coos 3 Yea
Ticehurst, Susan Democrat Carroll 3 Yea
Till, Mary Democrat Rockingham 6 Yea
Tilton, Franklin Republican Belknap 3 Yea
Tilton, Joy Democrat Merrimack 3 Yea
Townsend, Charles Democrat Grafton 11 Yea
Turcotte, Alan Democrat Merrimack 22 Yea
Vail, Suzanne Democrat Hillsborough 29 Yea
Verschueren, James Democrat Strafford 13 Yea
Wall, Janet Democrat Strafford 6 Yea
Wallner, Mary Jane Democrat Merrimack 10 Yea
Walsh, Robert Democrat Hillsborough 11 Yea
Walz, Mary Beth Democrat Merrimack 23 Yea
Ward, Kenneth Democrat Strafford 21 Yea
Waterhouse, Kevin Republican Rockingham 7 Yea
Watrous, Rick Democrat Merrimack 16 Yea
Wazlaw, Brian Democrat Rockingham 29 Yea
Webb, Leigh Democrat Merrimack 3 Yea
Weber, Lucy Democrat Cheshire 1 Yea
Weed, Charles Democrat Cheshire 16 Yea
White, Andrew Democrat Grafton 13 Yea
Whittemore, Lisa Democrat Rockingham 5 Yea
Williams, Kermit Democrat Hillsborough 4 Yea
Winters, Joel Democrat Hillsborough 18 Yea
Woodbury, David Democrat Hillsborough 5 Yea
Young, Harry Democrat Cheshire 14 Yea

With a hat tip to several people, including our happy commenters one of whom pointed out the constitutional limitations.

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