We learned that it was a good day for gun rights and cannabis legalization but not a good day for liberal green energy policies.
We learned that HB76, imposing a 3-day waiting period between purchase and delivery of a firearm, died after the Ought To Pass recommendation failed 168-193. There were “exceptions” “graciously bestowed” in the bill language. Supporters of this bill, like Rep. David Meuse (D-Portsmouth) believe a woman should ask “for permission” from law enforcement for immediate delivery if she is being stalked or harassed by her ex. There was a roll call vote so you can see who supports your gun rights.
We learned that the House still thinks it is OK – as it has been for forever – to pack a firearm while you go to vote. HB444 was ITL’d with a 202-167 roll call vote. The House rightly voted that you shouldn’t have to give up one right in order to exercise another.
We learned that legalizing LSD (HB328) for persons 21 or older died 290-76. Legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older passed on a voice vote after the ITL was overturned with a 210-160 vote. There’s no state taxes, no state sales, you can grow your own, and possession and use would be totally legal. Now that goes off to the Senate. I’ll bet they smoke it.
We learned that Democrats wanted to “make a statement” with HB596 and codify prohibition of racial profiling by law enforcement despite the fact that it is already illegal in federal law (Section 242 of Title 18) and NH officers are trained in proper conduct, have policies with regard to racial profiling and protecting civil rights. HB596 passed 186-185. Those 185 that voted NO did not do so because they think racial profiling is OK… they voted that way because they don’t believe in using state statute “to make statements” and because we already have practices and laws in place to make sure our law enforcement officers are doing their job properly.
We learned that the House tabled HB104 with a vote of 345-28. That bill would have required that multi stall bathrooms and locker rooms in our public schools be same sex facilities. That way biological males could not use bathrooms for biological females and vice versa. Local accommodations can be made for transgender students, like designating single stall facilities for anyone to use. The bathroom debate still rages on, meanwhile testimony shows that students “hold it in” all day because they do not wish to encounter someone of the opposite biological sex in their bathroom space. Any wonder why parents turn to private school and homeschool?
We learned that another important bill was tabled with a roll call vote of 200-175 (including 15 Republicans voting to table). That was HB514, relative to the dissemination of obscene material in schools. I only wish someone had read into the record some of the obscene filth that our elementary school kids are being subjected to. Despite what the Democrats are whining about, this is not about banning books… it is about what is age appropriate educational material and what is not. Again I posit.. any wonder why parents turn to private school and homeschool?
We learned that HB170 passed 199-174. That bill requires the teaching of cursive writing and memorization of multiplication tables to our kids by the end of 5th grade. This way, kids will be able to learn eye hand co-ordination and read old documents. Additionally, memorizing times tables could reverse the abysmal mathematics proficiency we are currently witnessing. Old school… it worked for millions.
We learned that HB231 passed 225-147. This bill will prohibit the veterinary procedure of declawing cats. Despite the fact that hardly any veterinarian in NH does this procedure anymore, it was determined that it should be statutorily banned and vets who are caught doing this for non medical reasons should be punished with a civil violation (yeah, go ahead and prove that a vet did this without a medical reason). This will of course open the flood gates for many other veterinarian procedures to be banned in NH in the Live Free or Die State. Only 2 other states (NY and MD) have banned cat declawing, along with a host of other vet procedures. Veterinarians in NH currently counsel their clients on many behavior modification techniques and cat declawing is the very last resort for a problem cat. Certainly if someone wants their cat declawed they can still go out of state to do it. Anyway, this cat fight moves onto the Senate.
We learned that HB125 was ITL’d after the Ought To Pass motion failed 195-175. The “My bedtime, My Choice” bill would have put limits on the times kids aged 16-17 can work while school is in session. It would have created more restrictive work curfew times. Some people just want to manage every aspect of these kids lives and leave no room for individual circumstances or arrangements.
We learned that HB208 was ITL’d 192-181 after a roll call vote where the OTP vote died 183-187. This bill would have required NH to “join the other New England States” in setting medium and long range greenhouse gas reduction goals… mostly in order to get federal funding for green pet projects. Of course those same people, plus a few more, didn’t care about saving the trees when they voted 214-159 to print the remarks of the debate.
We learned that some other green energy bills died today. HB 263 would have increased the cost of energy by requiring the NH Dept of Energy to notify companies and individuals generating renewable energy that have not claimed Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that if they don’t use their RECs that the energy company can “sweep them up” and use them. When energy companies do this, it lowers their ratepaying customer costs. Many people don’t apply for their RECs, just like you might not use a coupon at the grocery store. The value of these unclaimed RECs is estimated to be $3 million. Anyway, this bill requiring notification died 187-180.
We learned that another net metering bill, HB523 died 189-182. This would have changed the net metering cap from 1 megawatt to 5 megawatts. Increases in net metering shifts costs to other customers because electricity utilities are forced to buy from these private electric energy generators at an above market price, thereby making the cost higher for the rest of the utility ratepayers/customers.
We learned that HB 605 died when the OTP motion failed 188 (NO)-181(YES). This bill would have changed the renewable portfolio standard to increase the amount of solar power designated in the RPS. Aside from the fact that this would cost upwards to $46 million, the new amount would require that 15 thousand more acres in NH to be used to create solar power in order to meet the new goal stipulated in the bill by 2050. I wonder what state forest the Democrats want to mow down in order to do that?
We learned that another Convention of States bill (HCR4) died 224-145. Looks like Mr. Ken Quinn, an out-of-state lobbyist who works for Term Limits USA, didn’t entice enough people to vote for this bill even after giving them a free lunch at Tandy’s.
We learned that HB222, requiring the use of seat belts during the operation of a motor vehicle, died on a roll call ITL vote of 206(Yes)-162(No). No need for this law… your car will tell you to fasten your seat belts anyway.
We learned that Rep. Tim Horrigan (D-Durham) had a medical episode that caused our EMT House members and House Sergeant-at-Arms to spring into action. Apparently, he choked on something while in his seat. He was taken to the hospital, and we all hope he is fine and recovers soon.
We learned that Rep. Moffett (R-Loudon) and Rep. Maggiore (D-North Hampton) should go on the road as a comedy team. They had some great banter back and forth, poking light-hearted political jabs at one another while promoting the upcoming Legislative Golf Classic on June 26th to benefit veterans and Liberty House. Watch here (7:16:25 to 7:21:20)
Finally, we learned that Rep. Ellen Read (D-Newmarket) was sorry for her uncivil outburst a few weeks ago – when she yelled out “F*** You” to the House Speaker when he called a recess after the Democrats gained a majority and started pulling things off the table and passing them. So she made an “apology” to the House at the end of the day. She said she was sorry for being so uncivil and using foul language…. But the rest of us are really to blame because House members play political games, and we need to learn to work together more and not be so polarized. Sorry Rep. Read, but the rest of us did not cause you to blurt out expletives to the Speaker that day, so don’t pin it on us. Watch here. 7:29:16 to 7:33:11
See you all next week when we have a doubleheader.
