Live Blogging From Ring 2

Mirski (4.00 / 1)

Why is he chairing this hearing?  Paul Twomey sent a blistering letter to Mirski listing the reasons why he should recuse himself, but this legislative leadership doesn't believe in fair play.



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 19:08:14 PM UTC

Former Sen. Rick Russman (4.00 / 3)

Senator Russman is first up. Is it a conflict for a realtor to file a bill involving real estate? NH way on ethics has been disclosure. If you disclose your employment you can feel free to put in legislation. Fill out the declaration of intent form which states whether you will participate and how you will benefit. That puts public on notice. If you think there is a conflict, file. Thinks if you benefit financially may not want to vote even with disclosure because of criticism.  

Talks about ethics committee. The ethics committee wants fairness.

[fairness? What a novel concept in this legislature]

 



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 19:18:13 PM UTC

LOL (4.00 / 1)

Mirski asks how long ethics process takes. Rep. Vaillancourt who is not on committee and sitting behind me yells out 8 months last year. Perhaps he will do a monologue throughout hearing.

More questions on ethics committee process. Only 6 complaints in 20 years resulted in recommendations, most are dismissed. People get upset over things that aren't ethical violations. What kind of discipline recommendations?  2 recommendations of expulsion, 1 reprimand 2 censures. On the expulsion recommendations 1 was Chandler and the other resigned (Vaillancourt is still answering the questions but quietly, it is like having a color analyst)  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 19:25:37 PM UTC

Interesting (4.00 / 3)

Mirski refers to a discussion where people were curious about what constitutes lobbying so they decided to invite someone from Secretary of State. (that was not something that was discussed at a public session)

David Scanlon from SoS testifies on lobbying.
( Vaillancourt leaves)
SoS reviews lobbying statutes. I wonder why they didn't have someone from AG office? Oh, right, they don't like him. But a fairly matter of fact recitation of statutes. Still, you would think legal analysis would be by lawyers from AG office.

(I wonder how many people in this room are packing?)  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 19:36:00 PM UTC

Orange Badge Discussion (0.00 / 0)

What is difference between a lobbyist and a captain of industry such as a bank president testifying? Testifying is okay in an open meeting by bank president but not taking reps to lunch or calling.

Mirski asks whether a lobbyist can testify without a badge. Scanlon says yes.

MaryJane Wallner points out that when signing up to testify people have to say who they represent.

What is role of S oS in reviewing forms and enforcement? Scanlon says complaints goes to AG.

Doesn't statute imply that a public official may be employed by someone? Scanlon says department officials not considered lobbyists.




"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 19:46:22 PM UTC

NA (4.00 / 1)

So far nothing said has had anything to do with Article 7, the purported reason for hearing.



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 19:49:33 PM UTC

Prof. Wallace? (4.00 / 3)

A history professor I don't know.

Back in day American people had to define their government. Mentions William Plumer, the man responsible for this article. Finally! Something relevant.

The founders were opposed to one man tyranny (they should have met Bill O'Brien). They didn't want a strong executive. So we had a legislative govt. Which became tyranny of legislature (Mirski perks up at that).

A mob actually imprisoned the legislature (the audience perks up).

Lawyers engaged in practice of bringing clients cases to the legislature. Even lawyers who were members of General Court, so they were both advocates and judges. President Josiah Bartlett complained about all the private laws. Plumer introduced a bill to stop this, which failed, and then brought it to constitutional convention.

Oh oh, the professor refers to US Constitution as supreme law of land, good thing Itse is not here.




"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 20:00:29 PM UTC

History continued (4.00 / 1)

Not much else, no rules, no controversy.

"The legislature was once the villain."

Mirski: if this only applied to lawyers, what happened after this, there were still petitions. House rule in 1793 was adopted which Mirski says made Article 7 more generic. the professor says it was broadened to others, plus what was a lawyer.

Question - wasn't the legislature acting just as much as a court as a legislature. Was this provision in article aimed at the court aspect? Professor - yes.

Mirski wants to believe this rule shows the Article didn't mean lawyers only.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 20:10:51 PM UTC

Another meeting next week (4.00 / 1)

A work session to decide what to do next.

Rep. Wallner wants to hear from Twomey. Mirski says no. He indicates he will be hearing from Twomey later which makes it sound like this is headed toward a hearing at which Brunelle needs a lawyer.

He let's Twomey explain why legislature stopped acting in a judiciary role. Talks a little about the separation of power cases.

Question by a rep - is this a bill? Mirski says investigate and make recommendations to House. Talks about a 1913 expulsion of a rep who sold his vote.  Only case of removal ever.

Mirski - Talk next week about how to make a rational decision. Whatever that means.

And that is it.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 20:18:33 PM UTC

how to make a rational decision (0.00 / 0)

If they can do that in a week, they have my vote.

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 22:51:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks Kathy! n/t (4.00 / 3)

Hope >> Fear





Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 20:30:45 PM UTC

Yes, thanks so much (4.00 / 2)

Your expertise, along with that of many others, is going to make a big difference going forward.

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 20:39:19 PM UTC

LIve blogging the legislature... (4.00 / 5)

Actually is kind of fun - it not only focuses you on what is being said, you also get the chance to say on the blog what you would like to say out loud to the committee members but can't - unless you are Steve Vaillancourt. I highly recommend it to anyone attending a committee hearing - bring your wireless communicator of choice and tell the world what is going on.

As I said to several people today, my mother, who loved the House, would be so distressed to see the level to which it has been taken by Speaker O'Brien.  There was this whole group of lady legislators in the '70's who just loved serving in the House, like Marian Copenhaver, and Mary Chambers, and Republican ones, too.  It makes me so sad.        



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 00:41:59 AM UTC

Thanks for doing this. n/t (4.00 / 1)

Social Media Director for Jackie Cilley for Governor. Follow her on Twitter & Facebook!

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by: Dean Barker @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 02:59:41 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

They will expel him (4.00 / 4)

There is no doubt in my mind that Mirski is planning to get a recommendation from the committee to expel Brunelle. I don't know if the members have the gumption to stand up to him. That Mirski continues to chair these proceedings is a disgrace to fairness and due process.  He was a part of the little group that approved this from the get go. He is acting as prosecutor, judge and jury. This flies in the face of basic democratic principles.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 03:27:50 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Expelling Mike Brunelle for being a Democrat (4.00 / 2)

would be a perversion of NH democracy.

If they do it, however, they will bring upon themselves even more shame and attention - probably national attention - than when the issue first flared up.

That by itself is not worth the trauma of a Rep losing his/her seat in this grotesque, undemocratic way - nothing is worth that.

But still, I don't see how they avoid it not being a huge negative for O'Brien and his team in the long run.

Social Media Director for Jackie Cilley for Governor. Follow her on Twitter & Facebook!

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by: Dean Barker @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 03:33:16 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

its about how it plays in the horserace n/t (4.00 / 1)

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

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by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 03:36:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

wouldn't explulsion open a "pandora's box"? (0.00 / 0)

How could Mirski's argument NOT apply to a banker proposing banking legislation?  How does he limit the concept to Brunelle? Something tells me this ain't going anywhere.  

whp

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by: whp @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 03:43:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't think so (4.00 / 2)

This crowd cares not a wit about rules, consistency or respect. They will toss out anyone that 201 members don't like. Kathy's right, her mother would be furious at this bunch.

Have you told a stranger today about Bill O'Brien and his Tea Party agenda? The people of NH deserve to hear about O'Brien  and his majority committed to destroying New Hampshire and remaking it into a armed survivalist preserve.  

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by: Ray Buckley @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 05:36:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

So Would Duke Maynard (0.00 / 0)

He was so ethical he never used piece of paper, a pen, a telephone, or even a stamp paid for by the state.  Of couse, back then stamps didn't cost much, but those telephone calls added up.  

I'm sure he's watching some of these proceedings, and at the right time his unique voice will let them know what he thinks.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 05:48:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Disagree (4.00 / 1)

If this was going nowhere Mirski would have concluded hearing by saying, we don't like that he works for the NHDP but we have no authority to expel. Instead he talked about the next hearing and future process. O'Brien won't even recognize Brunelle on the House floor now.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 10:43:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

but on the other hand... (0.00 / 0)

Speaker O'Brien makes all committee appointments.  He appointed Rep. Brunelle to the Election Law Committee and to the special redistricting committee.  (Mirksi is the chair of the redistricting committee.)  These are the two committees which just happen to deal most directly with the matters Mike works on when he is doing his "day job."

I know Leader Norelli was the person who actually chose Rep. Brunelle, but O'Brien doesn't have to accept her choices. He is just as responsible as Norelli (or even more so) for Brunelle's committee assignments.

If he wanted to, O'Brien could even have chosen to give Brunelle no committee assignments at all.  He could have even treated Brunelle like Tony Soltani. (Rep. Soltani has no any committee assignment at all, not even to the new committee which has no work to do- i.e., Petitions & Redress, which TaxiManSteve & I belong to.)

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 14:16:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I Hate It When We're Right : Carnac The Magnificent Department (4.00 / 3)

One of the benefits of reading Blue Hampshire is you get to see the future.

On May 13, 2009, Jennifer Daler wrote a diary here titled "Roadblock Republicans Walk Out". She was shocked that Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee walked out to block action on - wait for it - a same-sex marriage bill.

The leader of the boycott? The man who'd disrupt the House to make a last stand for discrimination against gays and lesbians?

Rep. William O'Brien of Mont Vernon.

In a comment posted below Jennifer's diary slugged "Wasn't It Nice When He was Gone?", I wrote:

After dealing with Rep. O'Brien when he served on Election Laws during in his previous stint in Concord, I applauded his defeat in 2006. I suspected when he won last year no good would come of it. Unfortunately, I was right.

If you're a good Democrat from Hillsborough 4 (Hollis, Brookline, Wilton, etc.) and are considering a run for the House in 2010, the above report shows why it matters.

This guy is scary.

We must be psychic!

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by: Tim Ashwell @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 17:57:31 PM UTC

good catch, Tim! n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: susanthe @ Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 21:34:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]