Guest post by NH State Rep. Jane Cormier: Bad Bill of the Month (HB 617) - Granite Grok

Guest post by NH State Rep. Jane Cormier: Bad Bill of the Month (HB 617)

HB 617 – Gas Tax Bill “…The Gift That Keeps On Giving…”

Last Wednesday, the NH House approved the largest tax hike in state history by increasing New Hampshire’s Gas Tax by a BILLION dollars over the next four years. Basically, it means paying about $3.00 more at the pump EACH time you fill up! The bill’s primary sponsor, Democrat David Campbell, from Nashua, sounded the CRISIS alarm that our bridges are about ready to drop! FEAR – FEAR – FEAR – a great way to hike taxes and raise fees. Now, I am not saying we do not have work to do on our roads and bridges, but to cause such alarm and use it to raise gas taxes by a whopping 83% is beyond the pale.

In trying to answer the “concern” for our roads and bridges, Former Speaker of the House, Rep. William O’Brien offered an amendment to the bill which would “fix the leaky bucket” that is our Highway Fund. (This fund is historically raided to serve other budgetary priorities.) This amendment would have dedicated 100% of the highway funds directly to the New Hampshire roads and bridges infrastructure. O’Brien offered, “If we stop the leaks, we’ll have twice as much in this budget than if you pass the tax increase.” Of course, this amendment was voted down by the Democratic majority and the original bill was debated (over 2 hours – UGH) then finally passed. Commonsense did not prevail, sad to say. And unfortunately, 15 Republicans voted FOR this immense tax increase.

Now, in truth, Rep. Campbell should have been on the hot seat for his intercepted email telling fellow committee members that HB 617 was “…the gift that keeps on giving.” YUCK. Do I smell something foul here? YUP. Rep. Campbell’s response to that email was that his words were “taken wrongly by some people”. I don’t think so. It’s playtime with OUR money. This Gas Tax is at best, an irresponsible tax, allocated at the worst possible financial time. It will definitely hit our lower income citizens and families the hardest, forcing all to make even more difficult financial choices. A very bad bill, indeed.

LIST OF GOP REPS WHO VOTED TO INCREASE NEW HAMPSHIRE’S GAS TAX BY A BILLION DOLLARS

  •  David Hess (Hooksett), Deputy Republican Leader
  • Shawn Jasper (Hudson), Republican Whip
  • Frank Tilton (Laconia)
  • Mark McConkey (Freedom)
  • John Graham (Bedford)
  • Dave Danielson (Bedford)
  • Charlene Takesian (Pelham)
  • David Kidder (New London)
  • Priscilla Lockwood (Canterbury)
  • Bill Friel (Atkinson)
  • Aboul Khan (Seabrook)
  • Dave Milz (Derry)
  • Kevin Waterhouse (Windham)
  • John Sytek (Salem)
  • Jim Grenier (Goshen)

This bill will go to the NH Senate where some say it will be killed. (Call your state senators to KILL HB 617). But also, if you are a Republican, be sure to voice your disapproval to the above listed folks. Their votes have impacted ALL of us and they deserve to hear from the citizens of NH. Contact information can be found at: www.gencourt.state.nh.us

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