We learned that it is possible to play the National Anthem on bagpipes. This was how our St. Patrick’s Day House session began. What did they say about the bagpipe player after performing the National Anthem?
He kilt it [humor unashamedly stolen from Rep. Jess Edwards (R- Auburn)].
We learned that the sentiment of the NH House was to repeal the Granite State Family Leave Plan (FMLI), HB1165 (172-164), because it was felt that the plan for 11,000 state employees was at a cost to taxpayers which is still unknown, and that the plan has significant deficiencies and unanswered questions. Insurance carriers have recently filed plans and the private market will be able to provide FMLI insurance to workers who want to purchase it privately. I know someone in a second floor office in the State House who will likely not be happy with this vote.
We learned that HB1210, relative to exemptions from vaccine mandates, was passed 181-155. This bill would require that any public employer, and any private employer that receives public funding, and any post secondary educational institutions that mandate a vaccine, shall give the employee or student the opportunity to request, and be granted, an exemption for religious, medical or “right of conscience” reasons. With this bill, employees and students get to call the shots… so to speak.
We learned that the House passed HB1337, relative to the duration of unemployment benefits (179-153). This bill indexes unemployment benefits by tying maximum duration of benefits to the unemployment rate. States that have implemented this plan have seen people return to the workforce sooner, and reduces businesses unemployment taxes thereby saving employers and taxpayers money. Getting people back to work and promoting personal independence should be “Job One” in NH.
We learned that the bonehead bill of the day was CACR23 which would have required all references to persons in our NH Constitution be made “gender neutral”. Can you imagine the number of changes and corrections that would have to be made to this important and historical founding document? NH voters would need a 12 page ballot to approve of all the changes required had this bill passed. The cost to tackle this folly would have been astronomical yielding practically zero benefit to the people of this state. Thankfully, this bill died via a Table motion (190-140) and pronoun sanity prevailed.
We learned that taxpayers might see a break on escalating local taxes as the House passed HB1194 (183-146), relative to the procedure for overriding a local tax cap which will make it a little more challenging to exceed a local tax cap by requiring a 3/5 super majority municipal vote (instead of a simple majority) by ballot. The House also passed HB1667 (205-127) which extends the definition of “veteran” to include national guard members, and reserve members. “Whether it is in a fighter jet with the Air Force or on a battleship with the Marines, everyone who serves our country should qualify for veterans’ tax credits.”, said Rep. Terry Roy (R-Deerfield).
Additionally, the NH House passed HB1097 (251-72) to put legislation in place to protect NH residents who work remotely for out of state companies so that their earnings are not taxed by their out of state employers who collect income taxes. Plus, we passed HB1221 (177-141) to lower the Business Profits Tax from 7.6% to 7.5%. It was a very good day for tax relief brought to you by the Republican House Majority!!
Speaking of lowering and eliminating costs to NH taxpayers, the NH House voted to prohibit the use of state funds for new passenger rail projects. HB1432 passed 187-144 thereby putting the brakes on instituting taxpayer subsidies to these expensive projects and operations. Projects like this can be taken on by private investors if they are worthwhile enough. When it comes to expensive taxpayer subsidies for public transportation, the NH House was wise to stop this idea in its tracks.
We learned that even the Speaker of the House cannot enter House chambers when we are in “voting mode” (i.e. voting on a bill). Our Sergeant-at-Arms would not let House Speaker Sherman Packard enter when we were voting on HB2022, the 10 year Transportation plan (which passed via voice vote). Not to worry though, the House was in the capable hands of our Deputy Speaker, Steven Smith. You don’t want to mess with the people who man our House Chamber doors.
We learned that many bills were tabled which would have been ITL’d (killed) anyway. The phrase of the day was “I’d like to make a motion to Table”. Republicans used this as a time saving device, to avoid lengthy pointless floor debate speeches which never change anyone’s mind. Democrats used it as a means to shut down, or in some cases slow down, work on bills that had an Ought To Pass committee recommendation which eventually passed as the Republican majority votes prevailed. Tons of bills ended up on the table though, in these past 3 days. That’s OK. The table is sturdy and quite large.
We passed a few good energy bills including HB1459 (167-145) having to do with recycling solar panels. It’s an issue waiting to be dealt with and this bill does just that. We are glad to shed some light on that incipient problem by putting programs in place to address “end-of-life” dismantling requirements.
We learned that the NH House affirmed the support for the nation of Israel and the location of the US embassy to Jerusalem. Yours truly gave a heartfelt speech and shed a few tears in explaining why it was important to support HCR7. The House agreed, with a vote of 175-107. I am glad, and grateful, that the NH House made this extremely important statement which will especially be communicated to our federal delegation.
Finally, we learned that by 10 pm on the third day of session, we pretty much had had enough. With only 2 pages, and around 10 more regular calendar bills, to go, it was decided to put the remaining work off until next week. There’s more to come, and it is so nice we are finally doing this in our true home at Reps Hall. Yes Toto… there’s no place like home.
