The NH House
Right to Work, minimum wage, vacation benefits, PFAS protection, and suicide prevention were top priorities.
Defeating the so-called “Right to Work” is the epitome of what House Democrats believe: the right to join a labor union, promote an economy that rewards hard work, invest in the middle class, and so much more. “Right to Work” aims to prohibit bargaining of agency fees between employers and employee organizations, which cover collective bargaining and contract maintenance expenses. This interference by the government undermines agreements between employers and unions. Employees benefiting from union services without paying fees is unfair to dues-paying members and the union.
A fair economy in New Hampshire is what Granite Staters deserve. HB 1322 rewards hard work and is an investment in the middle class. This bill would have gradually increased the state’s minimum wage to $17 by 2029, matching the current living wage for New Hampshire. Such a raise is essential, as over 126,000 workers in the state earn less than $17 per hour, and a third of our residents struggle to make ends meet.
Once again, the House has passed legislation to protect workers from losing vacation they've earned but were unable to use due to circumstances beyond their control. This can occur due to layoff, change of ownership, or the business closing. Granite Staters deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and implementing this policy is a small but significant step in ensuring that for our workforce.
On a voice vote the NH House passed HB 1649, a bill enabling New Hampshire to join other states by prohibiting the sale of select products that contain PFAS we use daily, such as food packaging, children’s products, cosmetics, carpets, and furniture.
Tragically, suicide is the leading cause of death for young people in New Hampshire. For years, House Democrats have proposed legislation to institute safeguards to reduce impulsive acts of gun violence and have been blocked each time in partisan lockstep. This bill would establish a voluntary firearms do-not-sell list for people who wish to suspend their firearms rights of their own free will. This completely opt-in policy should not be a divisive one and similar bills have already been passed in Utah, Virginia, and Washington State with success. The simple fact is people who experience suicidal ideation or other mental health challenges know themselves and their vulnerabilities far better than we do, and they should be equipped with the tools to prevent a rash action of self-harm at a time when they may not have total control of their emotions. It is deeply disappointing to see House Republicans block this lifesaving legislation today from any future discussion this term in such a misguided manner.