Mr. Chair – (Sen. Jeb Bradley):
I am emailing you to call you out on your unequal enforcement of decorum and special treatment of Representative Jan Schmidt.
Since your assistant, Senator Gray, took an unprovoked spazz on April 6 and lectured the audience on decorum* while you were stuck at the Florida airport, I thought I would point out two different HHS committee events.
On January 13, you interrupted private citizen Kelley Potenza** at the mic for saying, “Dr. Sherman, you took an oath.”
On April 14, you allowed former Alderman Jan Schmidt***, a very seasoned representative, to say, “Senator Avard, I’m so glad you’re here today.” Then she went on to insult his intelligence by pointing out that her bill was requested by his constituent. Any intelligent person knows that her constituents are also his. Perhaps some episodes of Schoolhouse Rock are in order.
It is my private citizen understanding that it’s a violation of decorum to address committee members individually. Is it not? Or is there some kind of “Rep Privilege” that I am unaware of? Maybe I just answered my own question, and the answer is no.
On April 6, and while you were in Florida, Senator Gray lashed out at Representative Betty Gay for mentioning Dr. Meryl Nass (2:02:10), who was recently disbarred in Maine and NOT a member of the committee. Assuming House committee rules are the same, I will also point out that I was interrupted at the mic for saying “Donchess Donkeys” and told not to mention members of the legislature. A House committee chair ought to know that the mayor is NOT a member of the legislature, but I digress.
Secondly, you expedited HB 1130 to the next step of the bill process while Jan was still there in Reps Hall. THAT, sir, is special treatment! While all 5 of you voted the wrong way on it, it only affects business owners, but what about students and parents?
You didn’t give that same priority treatment to one of this season’s most important bills, HB 1131, which hundreds of people made a priority to be there for. In fact, it’s been over two weeks since the March 30 hearing, and you ignored the email I sent you the very next day! At least Senator Gray replied with a generic “thank you for your email” within 24 hours.
If you don’t already know this, let me be the one to tell you that Jan Schmidt is the Nashua-Concord lunatic counterpart to NY City-Washington’s AOC.
Please do better. Vote OTP and get HB 1131 out to the whole senate and change your mind on that silly HB 1130. We are watching you!
*2:02:10 and 2:03:35 April 6
**1:22:58 January 13
***1:52:17 April 14
