What votes serve to define the GOP Legislature and can be used to hold them accountable ?

Education (4.00 / 1)

I am not sure which bills concerning education have passed the house.  The others that come to mind are budgeting issues including the proposed constitutional amendments, and removal of the state from regulations, such as water testing and weights and measures.  

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 05:39:08 AM CDT

Education bills (4.00 / 1)

HB 631 - repeal Kindergarten, Feb 23. 134 Republicans voted against ITL motion.

HB 542 - effectively eliminating compulsory school attendance, March 15. 196 Republicans voted OTP.

HB 370 - weaken anti-bullying law Mar. 15, 241 Republicans voted OTP.

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by: dooper @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 09:03:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The amendment requiring the AG to file suit against the health care law (4.00 / 1)

That one's outrageous because it is so completely unconstitutional and unAmerican - entirely ignorant of the checks and balances the Founders constructed.

Maybe it will require some explanation, to show the average voter why the vote was so awful. But that education is worth undertaking.

Besides, it's part of the "arrogant, ignorant bully" subtext.

I know you want dates and cites - I'll add those later.

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by: elwood @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 05:47:59 AM CDT

aside: regarding RGGI (4.00 / 1)

How much money will Americans for (Billionaires) Prosperity spend to defeat Bradley when he runs for Governor because he undermined their current raison d'etre - Breaking Apart The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
As Fergus Cullen said in his column:
The biggest political event of the presidential primary season to date wasn't organized by a candidate or the state Republican Party. It was last week's Americans For Prosperity dinner, a mark of how independent organizations are eclipsing parties as the most influential forces in politics.
(As Lewandowski the ED of AFP notes) The [Republican] party can't be involved in primaries, and sometimes that hampers its ability to drive policy...The party's job is to just elect an R. Not a good R, a bad R, just an R. They don't want to go after their own members." Especially incumbents.

AFP faces no such restrictions. Its members and donors are more interested in getting their preferred policies enacted than simply electing Republicans and hoping for the best in terms of AFP's conservative agenda.

Lewandowski cites the debate over the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the experimental cap-and-trade program many conservatives view as an energy tax doing little to reduce pollution.

My point: It will not only be about the hundreds of horrific bills that the House and Senate have put forward but the growing schism in the Republican Party currently dominated by a variety of front groups supported by the well funded Koch Brothers. This line from Fergus' column must be making Senators like Bradley vomit:
Campaign finance regulations add an incentive for donors to give to non-profit groups that are not subject to limits or public disclosure. Lewandowski says people give to candidates to be with a winner and be seen as part of the team. It's a public act. In contrast, people donate to AFP "because they don't want to be recognized,"
Note: Lewandowski celebrates the fact that his group offers the added benefit of money laundering.

The message today in the hijacked Republican Party - HEEL or you are outta here.

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by: political chowder @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 07:04:45 AM CDT

Militia (4.00 / 2)

How does anybody get past the NH Militia?

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by: dtturner24 @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 07:07:21 AM CDT

Hey, watch it ! I want my state-issued free AK to use on woodchucks in the garden.. (4.00 / 1)

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 07:22:18 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

PETA JOKE PATROL ALERT n/t (0.00 / 0)

"Freedom ain't nothing if it ain't free" -Kris Kristofferson

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by: JonnyBBad @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 17:32:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

There is so much to choose from! (4.00 / 4)

I think guns in the state house as Priority #1 was very telling and easy to communicate.

The Brunelle Brewhaha also has potential but is probably too much inside baseball to resonate with most low info voters.

Hope > Fear




Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 07:28:24 AM CDT

Party on Party Crime (0.00 / 0)

The Brunelle thing is a nonstarter. It get the gin up of insider and some of the better equipped donor base, but then dies.

Folks don't care about what they perceive as petty back and forths.

Thus, most of the PR wars between Chairs is fodder without target.

"Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors." - John Dryden

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 08:53:54 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

In addition (4.00 / 2)

HB 129, Voter Id required to vote, but not to own a weapon.  Makes so much sense.

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by: mevansnh @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 08:36:51 AM CDT

the budget itself (4.00 / 5)

The budget shows an utter lack of concern for voters, business, and the tourist economy in particular.

The budget eliminates the water testing program on the coast and both Great and Little Bays, which ends the shellfish industry in NH.

The budget cuts the Marine Patrol's budget by 20%, cutting their staff nearly in half. The Marine Patrol covers all 978 lakes and the coastline, and calls to them doubled from 2009 - 2010. The Marine Patrol has been approx. 3/4 self funded, through a user fee program that diverts some of the boating registration fee to a special account for Marine Patrol. The House took $1 million from their account and put it in the general fund. Apparently they intend to eliminate the user fee portion of the boating registration costs, but it's likely that folks would just as soon keep paying that extra $3 to keep the Marine Patrol.  In addition to patrolling and answering emergency calls, they do boater safety programs, and have a squad of volunteers. The volunteer program will be eliminated, the saftey classes cut way back, and maintenance on their fleet of boats will be deferred.

The budget eliminates the water testing program for pools, spas, and water parks. That particular story went nationwide. I'm certain that most NH businesses are careful, but there is no requirement that a business have a certified pool person - and it's difficult to rid a pool of parasites once there is an infestation. All it will take is for one person to get sick, and after the state cut the budget - the parasites will hit the fan - and the tourism industry and the state will take a big public/media hit.

Then of course, there's the issue of state parks. The state parks went to a user fee funding in 1991. NH is the only state that funds state parks this way - and there's a reason for that. It doesn't work. The state parks now have 20 years of neglect to deal with, as a result of everyone kicking the can down the road ever since. Apparently they get $2.8 million in this budget, but it's a drop in a very deep bucket, and the money is being spent on big projects, like the Hampton Beach Seawall, the Sherman Adams bldg. on Mt. Washington, fixing fire towers, and building bathrooms at Hampton Beach. Last year the State Parks director was quoted as saying, "There isn't one of our state parks that isn't in disrepair," and "most of our vehicles can't pass state inspection."

Tourist dollars are our bread and butter in the north. The exchange rate for Canadian travelers is extremely favorable this year. None of this matters to the current legislature, who are engaging in stupid and potentially dangerous budget cuts. Cutting the pool inspection program results in $139,000 in savings. The lawsuits will cost more than that.

The utter lack of concern for the north country/tourism tells me that our north country representatives are doing a piss poor job, and that, as always, it's not being reported on, because the NH media serves as standard bearer for the NH GOP.

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by: susanthe @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 09:01:07 AM CDT

Exactly! (4.00 / 1)

"Only in the dictionary will you find success before work"

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by: Ray Buckley @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 11:06:04 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Repeal of rail (and economic development) (4.00 / 3)

Among so many others, the House vote to repeal NHRTA (rail transit authority) should not be overlooked.  There is overwhelming support for restoring passenger rail service to New Hampshire (75% support, 5% oppose).  Broken down further, there is majority support (never less than 61%) for the Capitol Corridor (linking Concord, Nashua and Manchester with Boston) from residents in all areas of the state, of all political parties, and across all political ideologies.  This shouldn't be an issue.  Voters should know where legislators stand on the issue of connecting Manchester and southern New Hampshire to a 21st century infrastructure and the immense economic development it will bring.

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by: FrankLloydMike @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 09:07:49 AM CDT

THANKS PAUL!!!!! (4.00 / 1)

You're my hero of the week. Now I can wipe the foam off my mouth.

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by: Chaz Proulx @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 09:58:25 AM CDT

No comment (0.00 / 0)

Well actually I have one, but will save it until we meet in person!

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 10:27:57 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

These are all great ideas and very helpful--- keep them coming! (0.00 / 0)

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 10:28:38 AM CDT

Defining GOP Votes (4.00 / 1)

I hope that this new task will not take you away from a job of prime importance: Legally challenging the constitutionality of GOP legislation. Having said that, some defining bills of Republican philosophy are: Payday Loans (SB 160); Photo ID for Voting (SB 129); Kindergarten repeal (HB 631); Lower the Cigarette Tax(HB 156); Repeal Compulsory School Attendance (HB 542; No License for Handgun (HB 330); Lowering Dropout Age from 18 to 16 (Bill No.?)

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by: Gary Patton @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 10:37:37 AM CDT

what were those two votes (0.00 / 0)

that the John Birch Society applauded passage?

"Only in the dictionary will you find success before work"

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by: Ray Buckley @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 11:05:16 AM CDT

HCR11, in regard to black helicopters. (4.00 / 1)

A RESOLUTION to urge the Congress of the United States to withdraw the membership of the United States from the United Nations so that the United States may retain its sovereignty and control over its own funds and military forces.

To give Jeb Bradley credit, he successfully stabbed the Tea Party in the back with his amendment in the Senate committee, completely removing the call to pull out of the UN, and changing it to a call to Congress not to contribute any more money to the UN than the second highest contributor.

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by: Tim C. @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 15:18:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

this is a favorite of mine (0.00 / 0)

I tried to get Shira S. to ask Bill O'Brien if he would support a bill to take the US out of IHOP but I couldn't get her to do it...

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by: measurestaken @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 15:30:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Paying the price. (4.00 / 3)

I think this country took a turn for the worse when we granted the International House Of Pancakes "most favored nation" status.

I bet the menu at IHOP really infuriates Jordan Ulery.

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by: dooper @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 21:36:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I testified on this one (0.00 / 0)

I think Tim C videoed me testifying before the Senate External Affairs committee on this one.  

Yes, I am against pulling out of the UN: I even said that should we should join the UN if we ever become the independent Republic of New Hampshire.

Rep. Tregenza, who is a John Bircher and a cosponsor of HCR 11, thanked me for testifying afterward.  He is a very polite young(ish) man who went to the same high school I went to, although we were many years apart--- so maybe he was just being friendly.  But, I think he may have forgotten that I was AGAINST this particular resolution.  

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 16:21:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

There's the other resolution-- 400 decidedly non-Proustian odd words without punctuation-- that warn federal officials to beware of doing their jobs in NH. (4.00 / 2)

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 15:44:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

what voters pay attention to (0.00 / 0)

There is really only one issue that all voters attend to - that is if their property taxes go up. It is likely that this will happen. However, if the Dems don't come up with a way to pay for school funding in the next biennium then what? Time to for a reality check for both parties!

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by: frant @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 12:30:07 PM CDT

HB 590 (0.00 / 0)

This is the one were a committee of legislators must approve as "constitutional" any federal grant monies coming into the state--including grants applied for by schools and municipalities.
This is to prevent the "monster" of the federal government from spreading its "tenticles" into the state, and "consuming us completely."  

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by: Marjorie Porter @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 14:54:42 PM CDT

According to this week's Senate calendar (0.00 / 0)

the Senate internal affairs committee has voted 4-1 that this bill OUGHT TO PASS with amendment. OUGHT TO PASS!!!!!! So much for a saner senate!  (The amendment eliminates the first section describing how evil the Feds are by offering us money and spreading their tentacles, but not the fact of a committee to approve the grants as constitutional.)

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by: Marjorie Porter @ Sat May 14, 2011 at 14:44:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The committee hearing on this HB590 (0.00 / 0)

is very interesting.  Listen here http://www.gencourt.state.nh.u...

It seems that NH may not have to abide by the ADA if we refuse the federal money.  

It's a round, round world - Stan Freberg

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by: NHFlatlander @ Sat May 14, 2011 at 19:02:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not swearing loyalty to the U.S. Constitution for one n/t (4.00 / 1)

"Freedom ain't nothing if it ain't free" -Kris Kristofferson

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by: JonnyBBad @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 17:34:36 PM CDT

Defining votes. (4.00 / 1)

Not a vote, really, but the amendment which attempted to assert the Legislature's authority over the AG (Executive Branch), followed shortly thereafter by the Speaker's whining about the Governor's veto. The two taken together demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of constitutional government on the part of the GOP leadership.

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by: schusterd @ Fri May 13, 2011 at 20:29:38 PM CDT

Can't find the bill number.... (4.00 / 1)

But a budget measure that would take away the $300,000 required to do the water testing on the seacoast that allows NH aquaculture farmed seafood to be legally sold. Without this testing people in the industry will loose jobs, and investors and entrepreneurs who poured money into shellfish farming will loose their entire investment. For me, that move is a microcosm of the ideologically driven idiocy this GOP majority has gotten up to.

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by: Tgroh @ Sat May 14, 2011 at 01:35:14 AM CDT

Has anyone mentioned (0.00 / 0)

The vote to stop NH from implementing the first stages of national HRC law -- setting up exchanges?
Didn't O'Brien say something like why implement a law that may be rescinded/nullified/whatever?


"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." Albert Einstein

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by: susaninrindge @ Sat May 14, 2011 at 10:51:46 AM CDT

HB 89 and SB 148 (0.00 / 0)

Both regarding the AG joining the Florida federal lawsuit on the new health law.

The Exchange planning piece was approved by the Join Fiscal Committee; Speaker O'Brien and Majority Leader DJ Bettencourt weighed in when the approval process reached the Governor and Executive Council.

The idea of an exchange has roots in conservative health care plans and free market concepts.

little camera girl

Zandra Rice Hawkins (Granite State Progress)

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by: Zandra Rice Hawkins @ Sun May 15, 2011 at 13:40:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

As do mandates. (0.00 / 0)

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." Albert Einstein

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by: susaninrindge @ Tue May 17, 2011 at 12:14:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Busy weekend has kept me from rising to the challenge of this, (4.00 / 2)

combined with the sheer breadth and depth of the insanity out of Concord.

Before I forget, and among, many many other items (apologies for no bill info at the moment):

* Kindergarten repeal
* Lowering dropout age
* Gutting bullying law
* Defining adequacy in school down, which would result in condemning children of some towns never to enter higher ed.
* Drastic vocational school cuts
* Revoking transit rail authority <--(outside the Concord bubble, people think this is INSANE)
* Slashing public college money, which in turn jacks up tuition
* Ending the shellfish industry through defunding water testing
* Potential critical damage to tourism through ending pool inspections
* Defunding inter-library loan transportation (just heard about this today in a conversation - don't know details)
* Absurdly severe cuts to hospitals and mental health services, resulting in people harmed and higher property taxes.

There are many, many more, including the attacks on public sector workers, the many instances of abuse of power within the legislature, the disenfranchisement of voters, the expensive and unconstitutional attempt to force the AG to fight the federal health law, the attempt to repeal marriage equality, the bill to remove ALL of our marriages, constitutional amendment to end state contributions to education, etc...  

Then there are all the truly horrible, inhuman statements made by GOP members of the state legislature this year.

But the ones listed above are imho non-partisan, awful, obvious, and damaging.  In particular they are ones that women and independents will take notice of, two demographics that desperately need to be heard more from in 2012 than they were in 2010.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Sun May 15, 2011 at 18:47:28 PM CDT

Great list and thanks to all! (0.00 / 0)

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Tue May 17, 2011 at 07:01:36 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Let's do this. (0.00 / 0)

I really think this is one of the most important tasks to do. There is a real fear that in the mass of votes by legislators, we will lose sight of the major horrors.

As to the list = Dean Barkers is good by me. I also think the vote for Nullification is as offensive as any.

Query - House Rep voted for horrible bill. Senate  makes it more palatable. Same Rep votes for the "conference" bill. How do we tag the Rep with his/her original bad vote, while s/he claims the more moderate later vote? I know the" He was against *** before he was for ***" meme.

Perhaps when the list of 20-40 (??) bills are selected, and divided by category ( education, guns, labor rights, sovereignty, etc) - many of us can pick individual legislators to research, and thus not limit the effort to only "key districts".

I would be willing to help in my district.  

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by: pberch @ Tue May 17, 2011 at 11:47:28 AM CDT