by Rep. Judy Aron:
So what did we learn in Thursday’s House Session? (3/7)
We learned that while the majority party was gung ho on legalizing marijuana last week and were totally unconcerned with its federal illegality, that same lack of concern did not apply to hobby distillation of liquors this week (HB473).
We learned that the majority party just loves establishing commissions to spend taxpayer money on everything from studying “health care for all” (HB604) to “the economic challenges of those serving in the legislature” (HB650). The latter of which could be easily accomplished by a discussion with your legislative seatmate. That commission no doubt will make recommendations for a paid full-time legislature complete with daycare and benefit packages.
We learned that the majority party has a penchant for submitting the same bills – both a Constitutional Amendment (CACR6) as well as a House bill (HB611) – you know, just in case one fails. And when in doubt, just Table one.
We learned that the majority party is dead set on repealing the voter integrity laws that were passed in previous sessions and totally ignore the legality and Constitutionality of passing legislation that affects those laws currently under judicial review in the courts. They are more interested in instituting “no excuse absentee balloting” (HB611), creating havoc with processing them early (HB556) and having out of state tuition-paying college students vote in our elections (HB106) than they are with voter integrity and residency.
We learned that the majority party wishes to continue the practice of growing the liability of State retirement funds instead of doing the fiscally responsible thing of establishing a State defined contribution retirement plan (HB629) because they think the status quo will be less expensive and upsetting.
We learned that when it comes to transparency, the majority party believes police records should be public documents (HB153) and private health care trust mergers should be reviewed by State authorities (HB552-FN) but the number of abortions performed in the State should be kept secret (HB158-FN).
We learned that the majority party is fine with school kids being questioned by authorities without parents being involved (HB545) denying parental rights, and at the same time mandating that schools need to protect students rights regarding discrimination (HB383). Some rights are just more important than others.
We learned that the majority party was OK with growing medical marijuana at home (HB364) but you better not vape indoors (HB511-FN).
We learned that Rep. Timothy Horrigan has at least one friend in the House who voted with him against the reciprocal notaries bill (HB256-FN) after a plea at the well, garnering a stunning upset of OTP 343-2.
Finally, we learned that not every bill is easy. Some are emotionally heart wrenching and take a lot of soul searching before pressing that red or green button. The arguments for and against a repeal of the death penalty brought the Hall to a hush. The repeal passed 279-88 and no matter how you voted we should all take a moment to admire our resolve, our thoughtful deliberation and the seriousness of policymaking. Aside from the outcome, whether you agree with it or not, New Hampshire won today because we all took the time to take this issue to heart and to do the best we could for the people we represent.
