In the shadow of Queen Sharon’s Senate-chamber speech in support of SB268 (permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances), I observed something that got less attention. It was Rochefort, a pharmacist, recusing himself from a pharmacy bill later in the afternoon. Good for him! Nurse Terese often quotes her late father’s words, “You’re never wrong when you’re doing the right thing.”
Will Donovan Fenton (Fenton Family Dealerships) do the right thing? It’s a very time-sensitive question because HB649 (removing the requirement for physical safety inspections …or passenger vehicles …) has a hearing in Senate Commerce (which he is a member of) in just four days. Adam Sexton and Kevin Landrigan aren’t talking about this, so I took it upon myself to ask the questions.
Below is the email I sent to the committee chair and senate counsel:
I am emailing you as the Senate Commerce chair and copying Attorney Lehmann to ask about committee member Donovan Fenton’s pending involvement with HB 649 and the conflict of interest that I recognize if he doesn’t recuse himself from it. As you must already know, this is a perennial House bill that has a track record of dying in the senate and it’s interesting that it’s in Commerce this year instead of Transportation. “Be that as it may,” to use the frequent words of Attorney Gens, I still see lots of special interest money that most other commoners like me might not be paying attention to. While I don’t have the most current and recognized data from Scanlan’s office, follow the money dot org has enough to sound the alarm on. Below are links to the 3 articles I’ve written and hope both of you will take a few minutes to look at:
- How Compromised is the NH Senate?
- Will They Vote Your Will Or That of The Lobbyists Who ‘Pay’ Them?
- Does Queen Sharon Think We Are Stupid?
While either or both of you might not care for the demeanor of my prose, it doesn’t negate that Donovan Fenton is owned/controlled by interests contrary to the will of We the People, the very entity that government exists to serve. My questions for both of you are what’s going to be done about it and at what point in the process(executive session, whole senate session, etc)?
Your attention to this matter is desired and the favor of a timely reply would be appreciated.
Much to my pleasant surprise, I received a reply from Attorney Lehmann within a few minutes, and he said the following:
hb649ethicsEach senator is responsible for complying with his or her own ethical obligations, so it is not for Senator Innis or myself to “do” anything about the issue you raise in your email. Likewise, I do not believe it is fair to say that Senator Fenton or any other senator is “owned/controlled” by “interests.” That said, attached please find an advisory opinion issued by the legislative ethics committee that was considered on March 24 and released yesterday. As the attached opinion reflects, Senator Fenton, through legal counsel, requested advice from the ethics committee concerning his participation or recusal on the bill in question. I think we can all agree that seeking the advice of the committee was proper and consistent with high ethical standards. The response provided by the ethics committee speaks for itself.
I hope you find this responsive to your concerns.
It will be interesting to see who participates in the Tuesday 9:50am hearing and all subsequent senate activities involving HB 649.
