Getting “hit” by pieces like the one in The GROK on Aug 17 by Julie Smith “goes with the territory” for elected officials. There’s no way a state representative can be all things to all people at all times, but we take our roles as crafters of public policy seriously. As such, when we’re presented with proposed legislation, we do our “due diligence.”
Would it be too much to ask that modern “journalists” similarly research their topics fully before banging away on their keyboard? Is the Julie Smith who wrote this article the one who repeatedly ran unsuccessfully for office in Nashua? If so, then kudos for seeking to make a difference in that way.
We want to thank Rep. Scott Wallace for this Contribution. Submit yours to steve@granitegrok.com
Smith seems to have a singular focus on HB1002 which recently improved our RSA 91-A “Right to Know” law here in New Hampshire by better defining how information seekers make requests concerning public records while better protecting taxpayers, public employees, and municipal budgets.
Regarding HB1002, please note that I opposed it until a floor amendment made the charging of fees for large document requests OPTIONAL to municipalities. It’s called “enabling legislation.” After careful consideration of the facts, listening to hours of public testimony, and reading the better part of a hundred pages of information, I wanted to ensure that the policy could work for all of N.H.’s 10 counties, 13 cities, 221 towns, and 25 unincorporated places. I challenge anyone to come up with a policy that makes all of these diverse entities equally happy.
I think the best analysis regarding Smith’s salvo was GROK commentator Spike’s savvy perspective on judging any legislator by a vote on one bill. Concerning a different HB1002 hit piece by Smith on Rep. Mike Moffett, Spike wrote “Look at the career batting average, not just the one at bat you happened to be watching on that one game a season you watch with your friends.”
(Moffett’s response to the earlier Smith hit piece can be read at Response to The Hit-Piece On Me … – Granite Grok.)
And consider the significance of maintaining a high legislative rating for more than one biennium. I’ve maintained an A+ rating from conservative and liberty groups for four bienniums involving roughly 7535 bills.
My Rockingham District 32 primary opponent, Melissa Litchfield, served but one House term and so obviously has fewer data points and voting trends to extrapolate or judge. Litchfield served that one term before a Democrat replaced her in the next election cycle. She also lost her school board seat during the same election cycle by more than a thousand votes. Some find it odd that Smith didn’t seem to factor in that information before calling for her to ouster me due to a vote on one of 7535 bills.
Regarding legislative accomplishments, consider that according to State House records I prime-sponsored eight bills as a freshman while co-sponsoring another 12. Two of my prime bills were signed into law that year, a third signed into law later. In her freshman year Litchfield prime sponsored one bill and co-sponsored three. All four measures failed to become law.
But beyond citing legislative achievements, it’s important to point out that experience really matters. In addition to my legislative duties, I’ve served on multiple committees, commissions and the like. I’ve also served on the Rockingham County Executive Board since 2017. I was nominated to that committee by a Democrat, then the Dean of the House. Her reason was that “Rep Wallace listens twice as much as he talks in committee and always gives all ideas the time they deserve to be debated regardless of who presents them.”
Working across party lines is something I’m known for in Concord. I’ve been part of the non-partisan Braver Angels group that exists to encourage lawmakers to work together to avoid counterproductive “partisan paralysis.” My colleagues on the other side of the aisle choose to work with me because of my temperament and open mind. As long as we debate the ideas and not the individuals, we can get things done TOGETHER.
I also served as the chairman of the Rockingham County Jail subcommittee for six years, effectively managing the retirement of the outgoing superintendent after 32 years of service while welcoming a new superintendent. I implemented an innovative pay plan enhancement to the correctional officers to discourage them from leaving employment during the last year of their union contract. The new contract included these measures but could not be implemented soon enough to keep them on board. For the record, we Executive Board members are NOT involved in any way with union contract negotiations—that is a County Commissioner role.
Currently, I serve on the County Executive board as Chairman of the Sheriff’s Office subcommittee as well as Vice-Chair of the Building Oversight committee. In these roles I make sure that our Sheriff’s Office has the resources needed to keep Rockingham County the safest county in the state from a law and order perspective. Danville, my hometown since 1996, has been rated the safest town in the state three of the last five years, while Brentwood and Fremont also made that “safe” list during that same period.
My point is that if you enjoy living in three of the safest towns in the state then should keep me on the job, as I’ve worked hard to help provide the required public safety infrastructure. On the Building Oversight Committee, I work diligently to keep projects on schedule and under budget.
Yet somehow, Julie Smith alleges that I’m “lazy!” I’ve been called many things over the many years but never “lazy”—until now! I even took the time to learn more about her before I wrote this. Would that she would similarly do better preparation before firing away.
And finally, let’s again focus on the importance of experience. New or less experienced legislators tend not to know the people and processes necessary to get things done on behalf of constituents and all NH citizens. Experience and wisdom can only be gained over time.
As Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Committee I’m part of the House Leadership Team which positions me to better serve all concerned. For example, earlier this month I was part of a group of nine legislative leaders, including the House Speaker, to get a special briefing from border patrol officials up on our Canadian boundary. My SITREP from that border inspection can be viewed here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/55vfUefJ9VxePe31/
Last October, I was very honored to be part of a nine-member New England legislative delegation selected for a fact-finding mission to the Republic of China (Taiwan) to learn about trade opportunities that could benefit our region while also getting a better first-hand understanding of the profoundly important geopolitical dynamics in that part of the world. The other N.H. legislator on the bipartisan delegation was Rep. Moffett, who Chairs our House Committee on State-Federal Relations and Veteran Affairs.
Experience indeed matters. And I hope voters will continue to allow us to put our experience to good use on their behalf by keeping us on the job in Concord!
Pro Libertate! For Freedom!
(The Wallace Family Motto)
The Honorable Representative Scott Wallace
Vice Chair House Judiciary
Chair, JLCAR for the Judiciary
Clerk, Special Committee on Housing
Member, Committee to Study Options for Student Housing
Chair, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Subcommittee>
Vice-Chair Rockingham County Building Oversight Committee
Justice of The Peace
N.H. Motor Vehicle Safety Inspector
