We learned that today was Tartan Day at the NH House. This is a celebration of Scottish heritage in NH and gave our State Representatives a chance to “show our plaid.” Many reps wore some sort of plaid, including the NH plaid.
Even the House Clerk sported a tartan kilt! We were treated to hearing expert bagpipe players and highland dancers. We also had a wonderful recital of our National Anthem performed by the Piccola Opera Youth Chorus during the opening of the House Session. Today we also gave a memorial tribute to Rep. Katherine Rogers (D – Concord) who recently passed away from Ovarian Cancer.
We learned that most of the bills voted on today were “early bills” going to another committee…. mostly Finance. They will have their work cut out for them in the next couple of weeks.
We learned that with the passage of SB306-FN (201-132) that driving while reading a newspaper, applying lipstick, or eating a fast-food burger is considered distracted driving… but just don’t use a mobile electronic device or the penalties will really be severe – as in Class A felony and jail time severe.
We learned that more money will be spent for the DOT to provide money to towns for road and bridge repair… but also on DOT dash cameras. There was a concern for privacy because of the issue of dash cameras and how and where they would be used, but the House passed SB401-FN (241-93) anyway. Maybe they will be better able to record photos of people driving while eating Big Macs and applying make-up in their vehicles? (see above)
We learned that more money will go to school districts for special needs students as an extraordinary grant program will be established as a result of SB420-FN (261-71). This would be a grant program in addition to the regular adequate education dollars schools receive. It passed with an amendment that would require that a plan for the use of the grant money be presented by the district to the Department of Education. Hopefully, somebody learns something.
We learned that finally no one will be able to show up at a polling place on election day and just sign an affidavit to vote, and have their vote count, even after that person can never be located or verified after the election. With the passage of SB418-FN (180-154) people who show up on election day without proper identification will be able to vote using an affidavit ballot and have 7 days to present proper ID otherwise their vote will be deducted from election vote totals. Finally, an election integrity bill that will not allow votes to count if the person can’t prove who they are or where they live. Of course, our liberal friends tell us this is a problem and people shouldn’t have the burden of presenting identification in order to vote, even though we have to present proper identification to do all sorts of other things in our daily life.
We learned that a “buy American steel” bill (SB438-FN) passed the House 170-151. It’s not that the people voting against this bill hate America or American steel… but they believe in free markets and not creating protectionist policies which may damage innovation and any will to make steel products in NH less expensive. This bill may help NH steel companies who claim they need a more level playing field with foreign competition, but it will also raise the project costs for the State which will ultimately be paid by the taxpayer.
Relying on only one source of steel supplies, when there are supply chain shortages and subsequent project time delays, as a result, may send NH project costs even higher. Brace yourself for that consequence as we contemplate the construction of a new parking garage, along with other state projects.
We learned that while our liberal friends across the aisle tried desperately to table SB240, the Senate redistricting bill, they failed to do so as we passed it out of the House 172-149. We also passed SB241 with an amendment, for the redistricting of executive council districts 174-146.
The minority could do nothing but yet again whine about gerrymandering and “keeping communities of interest together.” They had to be reminded that the new district maps met all constitutional and legal requirements while also incorporating all of the new census data.
Seeing as they weren’t too upset about people being able to vote without showing proper identification (see above) it was laughable that they now complained about “election integrity” based on competitive election districts.
We learned that you may now get your vehicle registration suspended if you do not pay your toll collection bills and associated administrative fees. SB442-FN passed 218-94. The DMV is apparently sick and tired of people going through NH toll gantries, racking up tolls, and not paying them. So scofflaws beware… pay up, or lose your registration privileges because lost state revenue will no longer be tolerated.
We learned that Rep. Maria Perez (D-Milford) was plenty annoyed at her own party, and Senator Hassan, for the way they have treated Hispanic or immigrant voters, basically ignoring them until they need their vote. Recent events regarding border visits by Sen. Hassan, and the snubbing of immigration activists, pushed Rep. Perez to make some very inflammatory statements during the unanimous consent portion of the end of session day.
It’s always a gift when Democrats complain about their own party, especially when they say the same things we Republicans have said about them.
On the other hand, we learned that Rep. Keith Ammon (R-New Boston) had much praise to heap on the House for affirming support through a House Resolution for the First in the Nation primary. He said that despite the Democrat National Committee challenge to NH FITN due to “identity politics” (cue jeers from our liberal friends in the House) NH has been a shining example of civic engagement since 1920 and that you do not have to be rich and that anyone can have a chance to run here. He said that NH is a small market in a small state and we have a proven ability to vet candidates. I wholeheartedly agree.
Finally, we learned that more Senate bills are on the way and we’ll be back in May for more House sessions to deal with them. I’ll bet you can’t wait (wink).