Dear Dennis, Deborah, and Ed: Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me and Reps Cambrils and See, as well as Senator Pearl. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to engage in public discourse, and I want to similarly take the time to respond in detail.
On Tuesday, July 18, 2023 , D and D <********@gmail.com> wrote:
Gents
NH has dropped to 40th place in a CNBC poll for business-friendly states.
This is concerning, and one must wonder if priorities need to be adjusted here in NH to reverse this precipitous decline.
Thank You
Dennis and Deborah
From: Ed <********@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 5:49 PM
To: Howard Pearl <Howard.Pearl@leg.state.nh.us>; Michael Moffett <Michael.Moffett@leg.state.nh.us>; Alvin See <Alvin.See@leg.state.nh.us>; Jose Cambrils <Jose4NH@comcast.net>; D and D <*********@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: dropping
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 5:49 PM
To: Howard Pearl <Howard.Pearl@leg.state.nh.us>; Michael Moffett <Michael.Moffett@leg.state.nh.us>; Alvin See <Alvin.See@leg.state.nh.us>; Jose Cambrils <Jose4NH@comcast.net>; D and D <*********@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: dropping
Why? High property taxes, inadequate funding of public education, no recognition of climate change, elimination of net metering/alternative energy resources, high cost of housing, only state in region not to permit marijuana, female reproductive rights restrictions, LGBTQ+ restrictions, open gun permitting. Live Free or Die as long as your are NOT female, gay, trans, black, poor or homeless. DUH!!
Ed
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1) Why? High property taxes
Property taxes are set locally. Loudon has relatively low property taxes compared to neighboring communities, but taxes have been going up more than many of us would like. I sponsored a measure at town meeting to lower several budget line items by 10% which would have reduced property taxes. Did you support the measure?
2) inadequate funding of public education
The truth is that school funding has never been higher, approximately $20,000 per student, in a time of declining school populations and declining test scores.
3) no recognition of climate change
Most everyone agrees that the climate is changing. Always has, always will. At issue is the extent to which humans impact such changes. There is a spectrum of opinion on this and no definitive answer. But climate alarmists historically have been wrong in overstating threats. (See attached).
4) elimination of net metering/alternative energy resources
Not sure I understand this point. Net metering has been expanded, not eliminated. Alternative and renewable energy options are receiving unprecedented attention.
5) high cost of housing
The market is what it is. Laws of supply and demand are immutable. Again, localities can help increase supply with new zoning ordinances. Democrat proposals re: rent control and landlord restrictions would only make things worse.
6) only state in region not to permit marijuana
Marijuana has been decriminalized in N.H. and has been available medicinally for a long time. New Hampshire has done well to show prudence re: legalization and learn from the bad experiences that have resulted in legalization elsewhere. States that fully legalize pot create conflicts with federal law with numerous unintended consequences. And I would not cite Massachusetts as a model to follow in this, or most other areas.
7) female reproductive rights restrictions
New Hampshire has long had some of the most liberal abortion statutes in the nation. The last legislative session saw limits put on the procedure in the last three months of pregnancy, which is the policy in Massachusetts and many other states. Do you favor the extreme position of abortion on demand up until birth? Most Granite Staters support our current law.
8) LGBTQ+ restrictions
Not sure what “restrictions” you refer to. Most Granite Staters do not support biological males playing on female teams or using female bathrooms and locker rooms. Do you?
9) open gun permitting
Our state has been ranked as the safest in the country. “Constitutional Carry” is now New Hampshire law. Do you oppose current state and federal constitutional provisions? Do you want to change or ignore these constitutions?
10) Live Free or Die as long as your are (sic) NOT female, gay, trans, black, poor or homeless.
This seems to accuse many Granite Staters of being bigots. I reject that. Many of us feel such emotionally-charged statements represent the worst sort of identity politics, which seek to divide us while maligning the thoughtful, traditional positions of most Granite Staters.
11) NH has dropped to 40th place in a CNBC poll for business friendly states.
I would be cautious about judging New Hampshire based on any NBC poll. NBC has a very checkered recent history in terms of objective reporting. There are countless other metrics, indicators, and statistics that show New Hampshire to be the most prosperous and livable state in the region. And it’s no coincidence that our state is also the most Republican state in our region. That’s why people move here. Folks flee blue states like Massachusetts, California, New York, etc. Why would we want to turn N.H. blue?
12) DUH!!
I’m not exactly sure what this means. An acronym?
Thanks again for reaching out. I’ll share your concerns as well as my thoughts with others in our district, at the State House, and elsewhere.
Have a great day.
