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The House Commerce and Labor Committees are key committees helping to grow our economy. So you would you think they would be 'focused like a laser', to coin a phrase, on helping the Governor keep NH moving forward. The reality suggests otherwise. Looking at the bills these committees are hearing, you see the following, all submitted by members of O'Brien's hand-picked leadership team.
HB142, relative to sales of artificial flowers and miniature flags. This bill repeals the prohibition on the sale of artificial flowers and miniature flags by street vendors. I am confident it will create thousands of new jobs in the weeks and months ahead. My biggest worry is whether the streets will become so crowded with newly enfranchised street peddlers that we won't be able to maneuver our cars around.
HB143, relative to the sale of stove polish. This bill repeals the prohibition on the sale of inflammable stove polish intended for domestic use. Finally! The inflammable stove polish industry will be able to shake off the shackles of burdensome state regulation and boom again! I imagine dozens of factories all across North Country employing thousands of people busy turning out mountains of inflammable stove polish for domestic use.
HB171, relative to restrictions on liquor licenses. This bill prohibits the liquor commission from imposing restrictions on bar licenses relating to clothing or appearance of patrons or employees. How this builds the economy is kind of a head scratcher, but I think the idea is the bill will make sure bars can serve the tattooed, the half naked, the morbidly obese, and the just plain ugly without having their licenses pulled and forcing their employees onto the dole. I didn't know this was such a big problem, but if it will save a few thousand jobs in the Granite State, I'm all for it.
HB133, relative to the minimum wage. This bill does precisely... nothing. But it least it's better than the last bill...
HB26, clarifying the definition of gross misconduct for purposes of unemployment compensation. This bill doesn't create any jobs, but it sure makes it easier for companies to deny unemployment insurance. All an employer has to do is show a terminated employee has been "dishonest" and benefits are denied. My guess is that every employee has been dishonest at some point about something. Calling in sick, taking a company pencil, cruising the internet, taking a soda out of the fridge, telling the boss his ideas are great- all are acts of dishonesty and could cost you the unemployment benefits you have earned.
