I supported bills to relieve property taxes, prevent tax dollars from going to private and religious schools, protect women’s health, removing a prohibition of vaccine requirements, and honor a Revolutionary War hero. I did not support the continued runaway spending in the school voucher program and the legalization of cannabis.
A top caucus priority was lightening the burden of personal property taxes and we did that by reinstating a 7.5% retirement system contribution for selected teachers and political subdivision employees in the NH Retirement System. In 2010 the Bill O’Brien legislature cut the state portion of the reimbursement, forcing towns and cities to immediately pick up the difference and forcing an increase in local personal property taxes. NH property taxes are the highest in the nation and this vote provides relief.
In another move to prevent property taxpayers from subsidizing private and religious schools, the House tabled the establishment of the Richard “Dick” Hinch education freedom account program, and local education savings accounts for students.
In a close bi-partisan vote to protect women’s health we approved the much sought-after exceptions for rape, incest, and fetal anomaly in the current NH abortion ban law. This move will allow pregnant persons facing a horrible choice the dignity to make their own healthcare choices unimpeded by state regulation. There are several other bills moving through the House regarding women’s health so this may not be the final decision.
The House also tabled the creation of limited liability for institutions of higher education and businesses regarding the prohibition of vaccine requirements.
There was nearly unanimous support to approve of the likeness of Wentworth Cheswill to hang in the state house. Mr. Cheswill took a number of rides like Paul Revere, and he volunteered to serve in the military, fighting at Saratoga. He is considered New Hampshire’s first archaeologist — and the first African American elected to public office in the United States.
Sadly, continuous runaway spending in the school voucher program was upheld by the House majority. The program is already 6,000% over budget and projected to cost taxpayers up to $70 million a year. The majority claimed that vouchers are needed for ‘school choice,’ yet over 80% of participants were already in private or home schooling. Taxpayers are now being forced to subsidize private education in addition to funding public schools.
House passage of the legalization, possession and use of cannabis was considered by many only a matter of time. However, Greenland and Newington voters who have contacted me have consistently asked me to vote against legalization, which I did once again. This new iteration of the cannabis bill, if upheld by the senate and signed into law by the governor, will require that the NH Liquor Commission oversee the sale and collection of revenue which will be the first of its kind in the United States.