A Great State Convention!

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sat May 22, 2010 at 19:53:07 PM EDT

My first State Convention was in 1966, at an old but beautiful hotel in Downtown Manchester.  Democrats had the corner office at that time, but that was about it.  Perhaps 200 people -- all VERY OLD from my point of view then! -- and polite in their applause and cheering, but not stand-up enthusiastic.  

From then I attended the next 26 years of Conventions solid, but I've missed quite a few since then with work commitments mostly, and my most recent was in 2004.  Compared to any and all, however, this one was the best.  

My assessment:  Ray Buckley was his usual effective self -- hitting the tone right on mark, and getting the cheering going.  I enjoyed all the other speeches but I thought Carol Shea-Porter stood out just a bit (I'm a bit biased, she's so wonderful!) because she seemed to look right at us with unrehearsed comments -- though she probably had them all in mind by memory, it seemed so fresh.  She didn't feel a need to raise her voice -- she just looked at us and talked "with," rather than "to" or "at" us.  The others did excellent too, with each obviously having passion to help us win in November.  

This was the very first time I heard Ann McLane Kuster speak, and I enjoyed her conversational tone.  I don't have a choice in that race because I appreciated, as I always do, Katrina Swett.  It was great to see Dick Swett again.  He helped lay the groundwork for Democrats in the 1990s, and sometimes we forget that things weren't always so bright for us then and he, along with so many others like Rick Trombly who was sitting on the stage, helped get us to where we are today.  

It was great to see Jeanne Shaheen, John Lynch, and Paul Hodes all mention marriage equality -- and the loud applause they earned by doing so.  If there was ever a thought that passage of House Bill 436 would be detrimental to Democrats in November, 2010, I think we're seeing that fear dismissed day by day.  Of course, this was a more partisan audience, but as I talk with Republicans and undeclared voters, I find they're more concerned about a dozen other matters -- many on which Democrats are leading.  

It was also great to see people I hadn't seen for a few years.  Conventions serve that purpose.  And also fantastic to see so many dozens -- even hundreds of really young people.  In years past it just didn't seem like we had so many of them, but perhaps since I was young(er) then I didn't notice it so much.  That all bodes well for beyond 2010!

A nice job by all, and I assume a nice time by everyone.  Thanks to everyone who worked for weeks and perhaps well past Midnight on Saturday morning putting it on.  

The Fight For Equality Continues At Home And In Washington

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 15:09:42 PM EDT

In 1997, New Hampshire became just the 11th state to prohibit such employment discrimination in legislation signed by then-Governor Jeanne Shaheen, but even today just 21 states have such protections.  Just 21.

That 1997 ahead-of-its-time legislation was put through thanks to leaders like Burt Cohen, Rick Trombly, Ray Buckley, Marlene DeChane, Peter Burling, Mo Baxley, Bill McCann and so many others.

In fact, until 1998 you could be fired from federal employment just for being gay, but President Bill Clinton issued an Executive Order prohibiting that, and the Order continues to be in force.  It is not, however, part of a law yet passed by Congress.

Thanks to now-Senator Jeanne Shaheen and almost forty other U.S. Senators, legislation has now been introduced into that body to formally prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

It is one more important step along with the hopeful elimination of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military, the repeal of the "Defense Of Marriage Act," and the cause for Hate Crime legislation, toward eventual equality in our country.   That Senate bill joins a similar effort in the House of Representatives which has 152 cosponsors, including Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes.

The two bills are:  

S.1584 - "A bill to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity," introduced on August 5th has 39 cosponsors including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Bernie Sanders Patrick Leahy, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, and lots of others.

H.R.3017 - "To prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity," introduced on June 24th, has 152 cosponsors including Representatives Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes.  The primary sponsor is Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank.  

Letter To Our Senators: HB 436 - Right and Smart For All Reasons

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 20:34:00 PM EDT

Through the past several weeks, www.BlueHampshire.com has especially shown its importance and relevance at being THE go-to Blog site for New Hampshire Democratic politics and dialogue.  For that, the founders and participants of www.BlueHampshire.com should feel proud of their contribution.

Whatever the State Senate does on House Bill 436, there will be many other issues to discuss, and many future campaigns to evaluate. In politics, there is always a tomorrow, and there is always the next cause.

There are always new alliances to form as well, so while we can shake up a bridge now and then, we should never burn that bridge -- not the one between Democrats, at least.

Let's hope we can continue to do that with both passion and courtesy -- never compromising our goals, but always willing to adjust our approaches.  Democrats do best when we expect a lot of them, including of ourselves.  

My letter to the Democratic State Senators appears below the fold:  

Former State Senator Rick Trombly: A Letter To The Senators

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sun Apr 26, 2009 at 12:21:49 PM EDT

Rick, who is openly gay, came out on the floor of the Senate while supporting legislation allowing for adoption for gay and lesbian parents in 2000.  He also joined me that year in leading the fight to abolish the death penalty, and was the deciding vote in the Senate in passage of that bill that year which had already passed the House.  It was then was vetoed by Governor Jeanne Shaheen.  

In addition, former Somersworth State Representative Dana Hilliard and I asked him to write the first draft of the Civil Unions bill that we introduced in October of 2006.  Unlike similar legislation in other states which went into dozens of pages of legalese, Rick -- a lawyer by profession -- came up with the innovative method of preparing an 8 paragraph bill that simply "piggybacked" on our extensive state marriage statutes.

After several other redrafts, it remained a short 1 1/2 page bill that stood any question of court challenge or constitutionality, and became law in May of 2007 with the signature of Governor John Lynch.  In drafting the current marriage equality legislation, HB 436, we followed his guide, so we have a simple and clear bill.  

With his permission, I am posting this letter that he has individually mailed this weekend to State Senators.  His words are powerful and obviously heart-felt, and his message is a good one.  It's a bit long, but worthy of a thorough read.  It appears below the fold.  - Jim Splaine

Terie Norelli Re-Nominated For House Speaker, And Happy Birthday To Ray Buckley!

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 14:37:03 PM EST

Ray Buckley did very well in calling the incoming Legislators to order.  It's not an easy task to get over 200 Democrats to quiet down so a meeting can begin.  It was his 59th birthday and we all tried to sing Happy Birthday to Ray, mostly off-key along with some mispronounced words.

Former House Democratic Leader and State Senator Rick Trombly did his usual good job running the caucus proceedings.  He's lost lots of weight, and that's a good thing!  He's down to his fighting weight and looks great, so he must be up to something.

Why I Believe The Discussion About Marriage Equality Has To Continue

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sun Sep 28, 2008 at 22:35:07 PM EDT

But on this Earth, there is nothing more important than the way we treat one another.  If we ended discrimination of all kinds, if we were fair with one another and kind toward one another, and if we shared rights and opportunities with everyone on this planet, we would all succeed together.  Wars would be needless.  Hate would be a thing of the past.  

I think someday this world will evolve to that point.  We will still have competition, we'll still see some people doing better and having more than others.  But if we treated each other honestly, fairly, and equally we all would be so much better off.  Discrimination and inequality needs to be fought wherever it occurs.  At any given time it might not seem like the most important issue in front of us, but for the long term it is.  

That vision is probably many decades or centuries off.  But to get there takes lots of footsteps, and a certain degree of patience.  Having patience, however, doesn't mean inaction -- nor does it mean waiting until later to have the discussion that discrimination is just plain wrong.  Now is always the time to have the discussion about the way we treat one another.

After giving it a good amount of thought, and realizing that there would be an effort on "the other side" to repeal parts of the New Hampshire Civil Unions Law that was approved last year and became effective at 12:01 AM on January 1st, 2008, I decided to introduce a full marriage equality bill with the word "marriage" for 2009.  I received a call from a Union Leader reporter last Thursday, and they have already covered the issue.  So I wanted the readers of www.BlueHampshire.com to know why I think this is an important issue to discuss -- even at this point of an election year.

I'm quite mindful of the reality that it will be a difficult job to achieve full marriage equality for New Hampshire's gays and lesbians anytime soon.  But the walk toward full equality has to continue.  When State Representative Dana Hilliard and I discussed putting in the Civil Unions bill in October of 2006, just two years ago, we also realized that would be a difficult task to accomplish then.  A lot of our colleagues had urged us not to do so -- that the "timing wasn't right," and that it would be divisive, or that it would put some Democrats in a tough position.

And indeed for several months, right up to and including through the days of the first House Judiciary Committee public hearing on March 5th of 2007 on House Bill 437 (the Civil Unions legislation), we faced considerable opposition.  At times, the comments we heard even from our friends were quite uncomfortable, but we knew that it was time for Civil Unions.

As we know, Civil Unions passed.  It was a good time.  It passed thanks to a lot of Democrats in the House and Senate, quite a few Democratic Party leaders and activists working behind the scenes -- and often up front too -- and because of some Republicans as well.  It passed because former State Senator Rick Trombly, who Dana and I asked to help write the initial draft of the bill before we went to the sometimes wordy lawyers who write the specifics of bills for the Legislature, wanted to keep it as simple and clear as possible so came up with just a two page bill that has held up over time.  

And it primarily passed because many people from the LGBT community -- including our openly-gay Legislators -- came together and said let's do this.  People came together to do the right thing.  It wasn't "marriage," but it was pretty darn good.  Right now, New Hampshire stands ahead of some 45 other states in way we treat our gay and lesbian residents who call this place "home."  

Now the cause for full marriage equality has to continue.  It's good for all of us in our society to have people in caring, loving, stable marriages.  That dialogue is necessary.  Pro.  Con.  The public has to keep on thinking about this -- and asking whether it is correct, or not, to continue to discriminate against our gay and lesbian residents by not allowing full marriage equality, with the word "marriage."  

According to the New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records and Archives, as of this past week there have been 531 Civil Unions on our state.  That's since January 1st, when our Civil Unions Law took effect at 12:01 AM.  That's a lot of New Hampshire residents who have committed to one another to share their love and their lives together.  Even if the law had helped just one gay or lesbian couple, it would have been worth the fight.  It has already helped many.  

The "Granny D. Bill" Passes The New Hampshire House And Senate

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 18:31:01 PM EDT

House Bill 794 creates a seven-member group which will consider public funding options of certain campaigns in New Hampshire -- possibly Governor, State Senate, and Governor's Council.  So, this legislation could eventually dramatically affect for the good the way that democracy is exercised in our state.

After a public hearing early last year the bill was sent to a House Election Law Subcommittee which I chaired.  There I saw first-hand the enthusiasm for the concept of this bill that Granny D and others brought to her cause as we held a dozen work sessions on the bill.

The Subcommittee even met with Maine State Representatives to learn more about how public funding of certain campaigns works in that state.  Altogether, we had over 35 hours of discussion on this bill in the Legislature. HB 794 passed the House on January 16th on a roll call of 199 to 121.

I have dubbed House Bill 794 as "THE GRANNY D BILL," because this is her cause.  She walked across America in support of "clean elections."  In light of the ever-increasing costs of running for public office and the reliance on personal wealth or extensive fundraising in order to run for public office, this bill seeks to allow for a different approach to funding campaigns for potential candidates without such financial sources.

Legislation similar to the original version of HB 794 was almost passed by the 2000 Legislature.  A bill creating public financing of campaigns passed the State Senate that year, and came within 28 votes of passage in the then-Republican controlled House after a lengthy discussion.   GOVERNOR JEANNE SHAHEEN was prepared to sign the bill.

The people on the bipartisan Commission created by HB 794 will dedicate dedicate themselves in the next few months to the task of identifying alternative ways to fund state campaigns.  The  Commission will examine potential revenue sources for funding and develop recommendations to the legislative session of 2009.

This Commission, under the directives of the bill, may consider voluntary contributions, in-kind donations of services, and other means to generate revenue.  The Commission will include not more than three members of a political party.   No Commission members can currently hold elective office.   Two appointments are to be made by the House Speaker, two by the Senate President, two by the Governor, and one by the Secretary of State.  The Commission will report back by December 1, 2008, in time for legislative action in 2009.  

Some twelve states already have "clean election" laws at one level or another, with Maine, Arizona, and Connecticut having statewide versions affecting most elected offices.  This concept has been publicly endorsed by leaders and people who have run for "higher office" from both parties:  former GOVERNOR WALTER PETERSON, former Gubernatorial candidate JIM RUBINS, former Democratic U.S. Senate nominee JOHN RAUH, former Gubernatorial nominee PAUL McEACHERN and former State Senators CLIF BELOW and RICK TROMBLY, among others.  

In addition, SECRETARY OF STATE BILL GARDNER has been a strong advocate of the legislation and the public funding concept.  A number of other long-time supporters of the Granny D cause who have worked with her for the past decade also contributed to the success of the legislation to this point. Representatives of the League of Women Voters, NH Citizens Alliance, Americans for Campaign Reform, Public Action for Clean Elections, and Veterans for Peace NH have also supported the legislation.

I think the Commission will do its job well, and that it will come up with inventive, innovative ways to implement the concept here "The New Hampshire Way."  

House Bill 794 was cosponsored by Representatives PETER ALLEN, BETTY HALL, DANA HILLIARD, BARBARA RICHARDSON, SENATOR JACKIE CILLEY, and myself.   Several members of the House Election Law Committee worked especially hard on making the bill succeed, including DAVID PIERCE, who prepared the amendment creating the Commission, CLAUDIA CHASE and CHUCK WEED, who were on the Subcommittee which I chaired, along with David Pierce and Betty Hall and went to a number of meetings on the bill, and COMMITTEE CHAIR JANE CLEMONS, who helped in passage on the House Floor.

But this one really is a great victory for Granny D -- who repeatedly would tell us this isn't "about her," it's not even "about us," it's about our children, and our future.  

She's right.
 

SEX. Just Why Are Some Republicans So Preoccupied About It?

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sun Mar 16, 2008 at 18:49:45 PM EDT

By the way, New Hampshire adopted a similar law way back in 1997, with the help of visionaries like then-House Democratic Leader Rick Trombly, along with Ray Buckley, Mo Baxley, Bill McCann, Marlene DeChane, Martha Fuller Clark, Terie Norelli, Peter Burling -- and the list goes on. Each worked in different roles on the march toward greater equality -- a march that continues today.  That law was signed by Governor Jeanne Shaheen.  Compare ANY of our leaders to those Oregon Republicans and you'll see the difference between, well -- visionaries and reactionaries.  

In 1997, New Hampshire became just the 11th state to adopt such protections for gays and lesbians.  Unfortunately, even today only 20 states provide such a provision in their state statutes, including Oregon last year.  We have lots further to go, but we're getting there.

Just WHAT don't the Republicans in Oregon, or anywhere else for that matter, get about equality issues?  Just WHAT is wrong with preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation in areas of housing and employment?  

The Associated Press actually reported an answer to that question.  It seems that Oregon State Senator Gary George and State Representative Kim Thatcher just feel that "perverts" shouldn't be out about their "perversion."  They don't think that the workplace is the place to discuss gay sex and that if they do they should be able to be fired.

Simple enough.  Just gay sex though, I guess.  If you talk about straight sex, or have pictures of the Mr. or Mrs. on your desk and mention your kids, that's okay.  

Senator George was a little more specific.  He is quoted as saying "If you walk around talking about what you do in the bedroom, you should be on the pervert channel."  He told Oregon's biggest gay newspaper, Just Out, "As an employer, I don't wanna hear about it.  This workplace is for work purposes. My advice to the gay community is shut up, just don't talk about it. If you walk around talking about what you do in the bedroom, you should be on the pervert channel."

Glad we've got that straight.  Whoops, can I say that?

I'd like to hear more about why some Republicans are so preoccupied about the sex lives of their constituents.

In the meanwhile, I'm going to call my cable company and learn more about that Pervert Channel which Senator George seems to know about.  

The "Granny D Bill" Passes The House, Commission To Study Public Funding Of NH Campaigns

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 00:05:49 AM EST

The legislation, House Bill 794, has gone through a thorough review during the past year.  After a public hearing last March it was sent to a House Election Law Subcommittee which I chaired.  We held a dozen worksessions on the bill.  The Subcommittee even met with Maine State Representatives to learn more about how public funding of certain campaigns works in that state.  

House Bill 794 is dubbed "THE GRANNY D BILL," because this is her cause.  She walked across America in support of "clean elections."  In light of the ever-increasing costs of running for public office and the reliance on personal wealth or extensive fundraising in order to run for public office, this bill seeks to allow for a different approach to funding campaigns for potential candidates without such financial sources.

Legislation similar to the original version of HB 794 was almost passed by the 2000 Legislature.  A bill creating public financing of campaigns passed the State Senate that year, and came within 28 votes of passage in the House after a lengthy discussion.   GOVERNOR JEANNE SHAHEEN was prepared to sign the bill.

Under this legislation, a bipartisan Commission of seven public members will be created to dedicate themselves to the task of identifying alternative ways to fund state campaigns.  The commission will examine potential revenue sources for funding and develop recommendations to the legislative session of 2009.

This Commission, under the directives of the bill, may consider voluntary contributions, in-kind donations of services, and other means to generate revenue.  The Commission would include not more than three members of a political party.   No Commission members would currently hold elective office.   Two appointments would be made by the House Speaker, two by the Senate President, two by the Governor, and one by the Secretary of State.  The Commission would report back by December 1, 2008, in time for legislative action in 2009.  

Some twelve states already have "clean election" laws.  This concept has been publicly endorsed by leaders and people who have run for "higher office" from both parties:  former GOVERNOR WALTER PETERSON, former Gubernatorial candidate JIM RUBINS, former Democratic U.S. Senate nominee JOHN RAUH, former Gubernatorial nominee PAUL McEACHERN and former State Senators CLIF BELOW and RICK TROMBLY, among others.  I think the Commission will do its job well, and that it will come up with inventive, innovative ways to implement the concept there "The New Hampshire Way."  

The original version of House Bill 794 was cosponsored by Representatives PETER ALLEN, BETTY HALL, DANA HILLIARD, BARBARA RICHARDSON, SENATOR JACKIE CILLEY, and myself.   Several members of the House Election Law Committee worked especially hard on making the bill succeed, including DAVID PIERCE, who prepared the amendment creating the Commission, CLAUDIA CHASE and CHUCK WEED,who were on the Subcommittee along with David Pierce and Betty Hall and went to a number of meetings on the bill, and COMMITTEE CHAIR JANE CLEMONS, who helped in passage on the House Floor.

But this one was really a great victory for Granny D -- who repeatedly would tell us this isn't "about her," it's not even "about us," it's about our children, and our future.  

She's right.  Now it's onto the State Senate.  

NH Historic First: Civil Unions Would Help Equality

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 08:47:50 AM EDT

The House Judiciary Committee voted in a very bipartisan 15-5 vote to approve House Bill 437.  Some real stars on the Committee speaking for the bill included Chair David Cote of Nashua, Gail Morrison of Sanbornton, and Bette Lasky of Nashua. 

If it passes on the House floor this coming week and is approved by the State Senate, it would be historic in another way:  this would be the very first time that a state has adopted legal unions for same-gendered couples without any threat of court action first.  New Hampshire would join Vermont, Connecticut, and New Jersey as the only states with civil unions.  California has a fairly extensive domestic relationships law, but comes short of formal unions for same-gendered couples.  Massachusetts allows marriage for its gay and lesbian citizens, but that was court mandated and hasn't been vetoed by their legislature. 

Our action in favor of equality contrasts positively to the 27 states where constitutional amendments have been adopted prohibiting same-gendered relationships.  New Hampshire is also one of just 20 states protecting sexual orientation as part of our civil rights law; in some 30 states one can still be fired, or denied housing or services, just because of being gay.

It's not finalized yet, of course.  The State Senate would have to vote favorably if the House approves the bill.  And we can expect a tough floor fight in the House. 

And Governor John Lynch hasn't said he will allow civil unions to become law, with or without his signature.  I'm confident he will, however, because from my knowing him since the early 1970s, I've always found him to be an inherently fair person.  While he has stated he would veto gay marriage, he has indicated he will consider something else, and that he is opposed to discrimination against our tens of thousands of gay and lesbian citizens.  Now he can deliver. 

Civil unions isn't marriage, with the word.  While it provides all the same rights, obligations, and responsibilities of marriage, it isn't marriage.  That fight has to continue, and I'll be joining others on that effort.  Another bill was approved by the Judiciary Committee that would create a serious study and analysis about marriage for gays and lesbians. 

Progress on equality, however, occurs step by step.  We've come so far because of the hard work and sacrifices of so many so far.  Civil unions is a positive step.  If one has a 20 foot pond to jump over, it sure helps if there's a stepping stone in the middle.

HB 437 is sponsored by Somersworth State Representative Dana Hilliard and myself, but working hard for its passage have been most of the openly gay members of the House:  Marlene DeChane of Barrington, Ed Butler of Harts Location, David Pierce of Etna, as well as Gail Morrison.  Most were at the all-day hearing on the bill a couple of weeks ago, and the 6 hour Committee voting session, joined by former State Representative Ray Buckley.  Former State Senator Rick Trombly has worked hard on this and other equality issues as well. 

The adventure continues...

NHDP Elections Thread

by: Nicholas Gunn

Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 11:58:10 AM EST

As I understand it, aside from the race for party chair there are two other competitive races this year for party office:

NHDP Treasurer: Alex Lee vs. Rick Trombly

Alex Lee:

Lee has been a strong force in the New Hampshire Democratic Party (NHDP) since quitting his job as assistant to the commissioners at the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission to work on the Dean for America campaign in 2003. In 2004, he ran a nearly successful state senate campaign for Chesterfield State Representative McKim Mitchell, when McKim decided to take on then-Senate President Tom Eaton. He chairs the Concord City Democrats and is an at-large member of the Merrimack County Democratic Executive Committee.

Rick Trombly:
A former State Senator from Merrimack Country, and former DNC member from NH.  Rick is also involved with the NH NEA.

2nd Vice Chair: Peter Glenshaw vs Jane Clemons

Peter Glenshaw:

Peter recently started a blog and his first post happens to be about why he's running for 2nd Vice Chair.

I'm running for 2nd Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party because I can do a better job managing the Resolutions Committe at the State Convention, which is the one specific responsibility assigned to this position.

I think anyone who attended the 2006 Convention will remember how the resolutions were handled that day.

It was noisy and almost impossible to hear anyone debating the resolutions.  The microphones did not work well and there no loudspeakers in the back of the room.  Because vendors and candidates rented tables adjacent to where the Convention delegates sat and debated the resolutions, their conversations spilled onto the Convention floor, making it almost impossible for any delegate in the back to hear.

Jane Clemons:
A long time Representitive from Nashua's 6th ward, and chair of the Nashua City Democrats.  Jane iswas the Deputy Democratic leader in the NH House, and the current  2nd Vice Chair of the NHDP.

Use this thread to discuss these races, as well as any other issues to be discussed at the upcoming State Committee meeting.