Is access to dental care a NH problem? A bill in Concord would allow a pilot program to expand those who offer dental services. Is this a good idea? Listen as Nashua Sen. Gary Lambert talks about the bill, the pros and cons.

Bette and Peggy will bring listeners up to date on some of the latest Concord happenings.…Education Funding Amendment, Spending Cap and the “feuding” House and Senate.

Tune in at:  10:05 Tuesdays on 1590 AM
and call in 603-816-1590

Or click on “Listen live” on the top menu at: WSMN Radio

but if you miss them live – visit Granite State View or find them on iTunes!

But what about US?????

Sunday, February 19 at 4:30 pm:

The local premiere of “I AM”; Wilton Town Hall Theater, Main Street, Wilton

News from Concord…

NH Legislature This Week—February 13, 2012

Brought to you by the Brookline Democrats

Brought to you by the Brookline Democrats

Quotes of the Week

“Other unintended consequences would be the possibility of prison riots and A.C.L.U. involvement” Rep. Larry Gagne (R-Manchester) on HB1421, which would require a vegetarian diet for inmates of state prisons.

Quotes of the Week from Governor Lynch’s State of the State Address

“If you look at any national statistic, you can see our strategy is working. We have the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the nation. We are routinely ranked among the most livable, healthiest and safest states in the nation. We’ve been named the best state in the nation to raise a child four years in a row.”

“The cut in the tobacco tax was nonsensical. That money would have been better spent on our community college and university systems, for example. We should roll it back, and use the revenue to invest in our economic future. ”

“A well-designed health insurance exchange can make it easier for businesses to compare and obtain affordable health insurance. And I certainly don’t think we should allow the federal government to design an exchange for New Hampshire. That is why must move forward – now – with designing our own exchange here in New Hampshire.”

“New Hampshire has a long and proud tradition of fighting for the rights of all people. And a tradition of leaving people alone to pursue their own happiness. As Governor, I intend to uphold that centuries-old tradition. I will stand firm against any legislation that would strip any of our citizens of their civil rights.”

“Government, after all, is all of us, the people of New Hampshire. And it exists to serve all of us. Responding to fires. Keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe. Caring for our sick and elderly. Protecting our clean air and water. Our focus shouldn’t be on attacking government. It should be on improving government.”

“Sadly it has become too commonplace to attack public employees, and that needs to stop. In these hard times, our state employees, our teachers, our firefighters and police officers, are working harder than ever to provide good services, to educate the next generation, to keep us safe. Join me in thanking those who serve all of us. I respect the contributions of all of our workers, and I will never take away their right to organize.”

No Child Left Behind

This week, the House will be voting a bill to withdraw New Hampshire from the federal No Child Left Behind law that was championed by President George W. Bush in 2001. Withdrawing from the program would cost New Hampshire $61 million in lost federal funds that target educationally disadvantaged students. The House Education Committee recommended withdrawing from the program on a 12-4 vote.

Redress of grievances

On Tuesday, the newly created House Redress of Grievances Committee will be holding yet another hearing on a petition brought to them. In this case, Ghislain Breton is filing a grievance against a guardian ad litem, 2 attorneys, 3 judges, former House Speaker Terie Norelli, and the former members of the House Judiciary Committee.

The charges stem from a very messy divorce and child custody case in which Mr. Breton was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, having been convicted of harassment and witness tampering. He gained some notoriety during the case when he decided that he could copyright his name and then sue any court official who used his name for $500,000 per occurrence. He even went so far as to claim to have a lein against the homes of two court officials, which resulted in charges of improper influence, witness tampering and obstruction of government. The liens, which were legally in place for a short time, prevented one woman from selling her home and discouraged the other from securing a college loan for her child. In the divorce case, he “billed” the children’s court appointed attorney $10.5 million for using his name in official documents. Note that it is not legal to copyright your name.

The House Redress of Grievances committee is holding a hearing to determine whether or not the three judges in the case should be impeached.

United Nations

The NH House has again passed a resolution urging Congress to withdraw from the United Nations. Last year, the House passed the same resolution, but the Senate tabled it. This year, the House passed the resolution a “House Resolution” instead of a “Concurrent Resolution” meaning that it expresses the opinion of only the House and will not go to the Senate.

Where do Rep. Flanagan and Belanger stand on this? It depends on when you ask. Last year, Rep. Belanger supported it and Rep. Flanagan opposed it. This year, Rep. Belanger opposed it and Rep. Flanagan supported it. Rep. Gargasz opposed the resolution both years. Rep. Drisko supported the resolution last year, but could not be present for the vote this year.

Actions by Governor Lynch

SB160, which would raise the interest rates on payday loans to over $400% APR was vetoed by Governor Lynch. This bill is different than the one that raised the maximum interest rates on title-loans, which are similar but involve using a car title as collateral.

Last week, the House voted on the following bills:

Note: Rep. Drisko could not be in the legislature this day, but we note this on each bill with a recorded vote for future reference purposes.

Civil Rights

HB1580, which would require all bills dealing with civil rights to contain quotes from the Magna Carta. The bill was defeated 306-5. Rep. Belanger, Flanagan and Gargasz voted to defeat. Rep. Drisko did not vote.

Courts

CACR25 Constitutional Amendment that would remove the court system from the Constitution and therefore make the courts subject to the legislature, rather than independent. The bill was defeated 251-47. Rep. Belanger, Flanagan and Gargasz voted to defeat. Rep. Drisko did not vote.

Culture

HB1274 as written would repeal the Department of Cultural Services. The Committee, however, recommends keeping the department, but privatizing the McAuliffe-Shepard discover center. The property and building would still be owned and maintained by the state, but the operations would be privatized and thus would either be self-sufficient or the center would shut down. The bill was passed on a voice vote and the sent to the House Finance Committee for further review.

HB1285 Repeals the state art fund, which is used to purchase artworks for public buildings. The bill was passed 214-108 (the vote was not recorded) and then sent to the House Finance Committee for further review.

HB1400 allows the Department of Transportation to sell naming rights for bridges, overpasses and exits to the highest bidder. The bill was sent to interim study (defeating it for this year) on a voice vote.

Defamation

HB1188 would impose a minimum fine of $5,000 for conviction on defamation, libel or slander. Rep. Jack Flanagan (R-Brookline) is the sponsor. The bill was defeated on a voice vote.

Domestic Violence

HB1608 would make it more difficult to prosecute violations of protective orders. The Committee recommendation is ITL 13-0 and the sponsor of the bill Rep. Harold Reilly (R-Alexandria) is supporting ITL. The bill was defeated on a voice vote.

Education

HCR26 resolution declaring that the Claremont decision is not binding on the legislature or executive branch. The resolution was sent to interim study (defeating it for this year) 215-132. Rep. Gargasz voted to sent to study. Rep. Belanger and Flanagan voted against sending it to study. Rep. Drisko did not vote.

Federal Government

HCR32 urges Congress to withdraw from the United Nations. The resolution was passed 188-129. Rep. Flanagan voted to pass. Rep. Belanger and Gargasz voted to defeat. Rep. Drisko did not vote.

HCR34 urges Congress to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The resolution was passed 170-138, but the individual votes were not recorded.

Guns

HB1430 designates the Thompson/Center Contender pistol as the official state firearm of New Hampshire. The bill was defeated on a voice vote.

NH Public Television

HB1145 would prohibit the university system from being affiliated with NH Public Television. The Committee recommendation is ITL 14-0. The bill was defeated on a voice vote.

Underage Drinking

HB1621 “Repealing certain statutes” would repeal the underage drinking laws. The bill was defeated on a voice vote.

On Wednesday, February 8th, the House will meet to vote on the following bills:

Crime

HB1706 expands the death penalty. The committee recommendation is ITL 12-0.

HB1375 would allow people convicted of non-violent felonies (such as selling drugs) to own and possess guns. The committee recommendation is ITL 13-2.

Education

HB1413 would withdraw NH from the federal No Child Left Behind program. Withdrawal from the program would cost $61 million in lost federal funding for programs that target educationally disadvantaged children. The committee vote was OTP 12-4.

HB1692 would abolish the Chancellor’s office of the university system and require each campus to duplicate the work being done by that centralized office. The committee recommendation is OTP 12-4.

Federal

HCR37 resolution urging Congress to abolish the Federal Reserve System and return to the gold standard. The committee recommends changing the bill to instead urge an audit of the Federal Reserve, which it says causes “ongoing inflation of our unbacked paper money”. The committee vote was 12-0.

HR26 resolution supporting adding Washington DC as a 51st state. DC currently is not part of any state and thus can not elect members of Congress. They are subject to the laws of Congress and must pay the same taxes, but they can not elect their own representatives to Congress. The committee vote was ITL 8-3.

Gambling

HB593 legalizes video lottery and table gambling. The committee vote is 14-7.

Committee Votes last week on “New” bills this year:

Education

HB1692 would eliminate the office of the chancellor of the university system. The Committee recommends OTP 12-4 with an amendment that the bill would take effect July 2013 instead of July 2012.

Guns

HB1375 allows gun possession by people convicted of non-violent felonies, such as selling drugs. Currently, conviction on any felony offense would prohibit gun ownership. The Committee report is ITL 13-2.

Public Employees

HB1344 would prohibit anyone employed by state or local government from serving in the legislature. The Committee recommends ITL 12-0.

Committee Hearings for this coming week:

House Children and Family Law (Rep. Carolyn Gargasz is a member of this committee)

CACR31 Constitutional Amendment stating that the parents have the sole right to decide the health, education and welfare of children. Continued hearing. Thursday, Feb 9, 10:00AM

House Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification (LOB room 206)

HB1536 adds a statement to the laws that says “no government entity shall substantially burden a person’s free exercise of religion.” Very little guidance is offered as to what constitutes a burden on freedom of religion and what doesn’t. Tuesday, Feb 7, 10:00AM

HB1533 prohibiting bullying in the statehouse. This is a continuation of a public hearing that began on Jan 19. Tuesday, Feb 7, 1:00PM

House Education Committee (LOB room 207)

HB1424 allows a parent to not send their child to school if they are “conscientiously opposed”. Tuesday, Feb 7, 1:00PM

House Ways and Means (LOB room 202)

HB1678 would allow video lottery and table gambling in certain places. Tuesday, Feb 7, 3:00PM

‎”Finally, I’d like to talk about how we deal with each other, and the people we serve.

There’s a harshness in the air, in the tone and nature of our communication, and particularly within this building, that’s not healthy for our people or our democracy. We can disagree, without demonizing one another.

Vigorous debate is important, but our citizens expect us to behave with dignity and respect. They expect us to look for common ground and common purpose. We can find inspiration and models to follow in our people, who show us every day how to come together.”

Were your Reps so disrespectful that they refused to attend?

Vote them out.

It looks likely that the fate of marriage equality in the House could be decided in the next two weeks, with the repeal bill on February 8th or before. As you have heard, Standing Up for NH Families has been active around the state making sure that our representatives are hearing from the 62% of us who oppose repeal. Anti-gay groups like the National Organization for Marriage

have committed $250,000 to the 2012 elections and you have probably gotten a push poll from the recently showing that they are ramping up their efforts in anticipation for a vote and we need to fight back.

SUFNHF are getting together this Thursday at the offices of Helfman, Lasky, and Associates (thanks Elliot!) to make the final push and call friendly voters in districts where legislators remain on the fence. If you haven’t had a chance to get involved now is the time!

When: Wednesday, February 1
Where: Helfman, Lasky and Associates
505 West Hollis Street, Suite 109
Nashua, NH

Please RSVP to Trevor Chandler at chandler@standingupfornhfamilies.org and let him know you and your friends are coming.

“America is back.

Anyone who tells you that America is in decline…doesn’t know what they’re talking about!”