HB1002 Archives - Granite Grok

State Senate hearing Sharon Carson crime

Queen Sharon’s Crime Against Nashua, One Year Later

April 18, 2025 Julie Smith

April 18th, marks the anniversary of the day Queen Sharon placed her disregard for the Nashua citizenry on full display with her OTP move as Judiciary chair. I know what you, the reader, might be thinking. A few thoughts might be: “Resentment is a dubious luxury,” “free yourself and let it go,” or “it’s Easter, … Read more

Double Queen Sharon’s Pleasure

February 13, 2025 Julie Smith

Remember that old 70s commercial for Wrigley’s Doublemint gum? It would say “double your pleasure.” Voting the wrong way on HB238 is one way to pleasure the old battle axe, and 25 Rs just voted to indefinitely postpone the Right to Work bill. Keeping in mind that Queen Sharon (Carson) is also an enemy of … Read more

Reverse the RTK Tax, a Call to Action

January 18, 2025 Julie Smith

House Judiciary member Louise Andrus, who actively opposed HB1002 with various efforts, including addressing the whole House on 2/1/24, has sponsored HB114. It’s the political antidote to the abomination against 91A that His Excellency signed on 6/14/24. The committee hearing is at 1:30pm in the LOB next Wednesday, January 22. Since I don’t know every … Read more

Cornerstone and 91A

October 23, 2024 Julie Smith

Cornerstone has released their list of rep candidate endorsements, which include some non incumbents and some former reps. On their endorsement list are 44 enemies of 91A and here they are: I would like all Cornerstoners, meaning both members and supporters alike, to think about something for a moment. While some of you might have … Read more

Legislators Using Private Email for Public Business – Changes Coming?

October 13, 2024 Steve MacDonald

This topic is not nearly as dear to my heart as reminding elected reps they can’t block people on social media they use to communicate public business, but it is a close second. We allow elected representatives in New Hampshire to give out and use any email address as their legislator contact. Reframed, every rep … Read more

RebuildNH’s 2024 Voter Guide and What You Should Know

September 2, 2024 Julie Smith

By now, most readers know that I’m all about right-to-know and have discussed the records of misguided Rs that voted the wrong way on HB 1002’s most recent roll call. As mentioned in Spike’s recent article, I’ve “gone scorched earth” on groups giving high marks to enemies of 91A. On a personal note, my first … Read more

The Public Records Tax (HB1002) is Law – Goes Into Effect in 60 Days

June 14, 2024 Steve MacDonald

Gov. Snoonoo signed just 52 Bills into law, and I’m not familiar with all of them, but some look unpleasant. One, HB1002, is well known to us and our audience. It permits towns to charge fees if a records request takes too much time—the Public Records Tax.

Night Cap: Will Sununu follow NJ Gov to GUT Right to Know ?

June 11, 2024 Op-Ed

Look how the NH State Clerks Association (who lobby our elected representatives to do their dirty work with dues paid for with your tax dollars) and NH HB1002 compare with the NJ Gov signing the Right to Know away!

Where Adding Fees for Public Records Is Meant To Lead Us … New Jersey

June 9, 2024June 8, 2024 Steve MacDonald

Unless he’s already signed HB1002, the new tax on access to public records in New Hampshire is still waiting to become law. If it becomes law, many towns will consider it, but the most grotesque government offenders will implement it with extreme prejudice as soon as they are able.

Shades of HB1002: Local Media Will have to Pay $1400.00 for Public Documents Related to Governor’s Travel

May 26, 2024 Steve MacDonald

A majority of the New Hampshire legislature thought it would be a good idea to allow local towns and cities to charge citizens for public documents. The (incorrect) presumption is that citizens are more likely to abuse RTK laws for Evil than local government.

Pot, RTK and Our Feckless Senate

May 19, 2024 Julie Smith

HB 1633 had its big day in the senate chamber and it was indeed a long one though Denise did not get to participate. More on that in a moment, but let it be known that what I have to say is neither pro-pot nor anti-pot, it’s about the senate’s ruling class’s priorities.

HB1002 and Transparency: If You Want Less of Something, Tax It!

May 8, 2024 Steve MacDonald

In keeping with my taxing things theme, this might be a good time to remind everyone, especially Republicans in the NH Legislature, that those among them who supported HB1002 (The public documents tax) can no longer argue for government transparency or accountability. They voted that right away.

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The Senate Passively and Collectively Voted for a New TAX

May 6, 2024 Julie Smith

Yes, that’s what I said and it’s the harsh and unpleasant truth, as truthful as saying that Melanie voted for an income tax. No member is exempt from blame so each one gets their rightful 1/24th, but some are definitely more deserving of rebuke than others, according to my report, but let’s first make it … Read more

OUR State House

May 3, 2024 Julie Smith

I don’t want anyone confusing this article with a routine one from Carol McGuire, who always does a great job and names her articles “YOUR State House.” Therefore, I’m calling this “OUR State House.” Carol writes about the House, but this piece is on the Senate and the Executive Council.

Night Cap: Tim Lang, How Would You Like a “Report Card Tax?”

April 30, 2024 Julie Smith

Did that title get anyone’s attention? Hopefully, it will get Tim Lang’s sometime before the senate meets this Thursday, May 2. On the agenda is the dastardly RTK Tax, known as HB 1002, which Tim Lang supports.

An Open Letter to Senate Rs that Haven’t (yet) Gone Rogue.

April 26, 2024 Julie Smith

Greetings, Good Senators. April 18 was a sad day for transparency in NH and I am asking you to reject the Judiciary Committee’s recommendation and even consider saying “thank you, Mr President, I rise to oppose the recommendation and urge this body to vote ITL.”

Carson, Gannon & Abbas Need to be Primaried. Here’s Why.

April 22, 2024 Julie Smith

Let me start by saying something nice about all three Senate Judiciary Republicans. They’re all nice people and presumably decent people in their personal lives. I’ve had pleasant encounters with them, some leading to pleasant talk, sometimes more than once.

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HB1002 – Are We Punishing Everyone for The Behavior of a Few or Limiting Access to the Wealthy and Well-Connected? (Both!)

April 22, 2024 Steve MacDonald

The Republican majority of the New Hampshire Legislature is on the verge of doing what Democrats do. Punish everyone for the alleged bad behavior of a few. Assuming the few are truly being cantankerous in their pursuit of public records. It is reminiscent of most, if not all, Left-Wing gun-grabbing legislation.

Yoga Humor and RTK Action Items.

April 21, 2024 Julie Smith

Most of us have at least a rudimentary familiarity with yoga, either as a practitioner or someone who knows one. You can confirm that lots of poses are named after animals. To all Granite State yogis and yoginis, I present the “Hilliard Position.” Stay with me here.

Celia Isn’t the Only One Breaking My Heart

April 17, 2024 Julie Smith

In a previous article, I noted that I thought Attorney Celia Leonard was being coached by Attorney Bolton and his hired legal Dream Team on Wednesday, 4/10. The next day, I looked for a camera in Courtroom 3, as Mr Buckmire, the head of security advised me to mention in my request for footage.