Medicaid Dental Care
The New Hampshire House voted 194-146 to sustain Governor Sununu’s veto of HB 250 which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to contract to provide a dental benefit to adults on Medicaid. Overturning the veto would have given approximately 1 in 10 adults in New Hampshire who rely on Medicaid access to preventative dental care. In his veto message, the Governor cites that the cost to implement this policy was too great for New Hampshire to bear, however the cost in sustaining this veto is arguably much greater. Lack of access to preventative dental care can lead to chronic health issues including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Net Metering
With a vote of 207-130, the House voted to sustain the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 159, bipartisan legislation aimed at encouraging the development of home-grown, small-scale renewable energy in New Hampshire. Senate Bill 159 would have expanded the availability of net metering in New Hampshire, allowing municipalities and businesses to benefit from reduced energy costs and alleviating the burden on property taxpayers. Over the past three years, the legislature has fought to allow cities, towns, school districts, as well as private companies to reduce energy costs by utilizing home-grown renewable energy.
Suicide Prevention
The New Hampshire House voted 182-156 to sustain Governor Sununu’s veto of HB 687, legislation that empowers family members and law enforcement to act in responding to a mental health crisis and potentially prevent a lethal tragedy. Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation is widely accepted around the country and 19 states and counting already have enacted similar policy. The Extreme Risk Protection Order is a civil order, constitutionally tested, that saves lives by temporarily suspending access to firearms when a person is in active crisis and restores access when the crisis has passed. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in New Hampshire, another public health crisis for our state.
Clarity on Remote Sessions
The New Hampshire House voted 199-134 to send a request to the NH Supreme Court seeking clarity on constitutional provision regarding the presence of legislators at House sessions. Asking the NH Supreme Court if holding legislative sessions remotely is permissible under our Constitution is a fairly simple process, and the House voted to send the question to the Court. Determining if the legislature can meet remotely without Constitutional amendment is important, as remote meetings during the ongoing pandemic would increase efficiently and save significant taxpayer funds.
Paid Family Leave
The legislature followed through with campaign promises and presented the governor with bipartisan, widely supported plans that have undergone months and months of work. No one should have to choose between financial security and caring for a loved one. Access to paid leave is critical for people struggling with substance use disorder, parents welcoming a child into their home, and hardworking citizens across the state caring for aging parents. Even in the middle of a pandemic, with more Granite Staters facing economic insecurity and the support of major businesses in the New Hampshire, the House was unable to overturn the governor’s veto of this bi-partisan measure.
Minimum Wage of $10
The House voted to uphold Governor Sununu’s veto of House Bill 731, legislation that would have gradually established a minimum wage of $10 per hour in 2021 and then $12 per hour in 2023. Before COVID-19 dramatically impacted the financial stability of people across New Hampshire and the country, people were already having a hard time making ends meet. House Bill 731 was a compromise bill that addressed the governor’s concerns from last session by gradually increasing the minimum wage to $12 per hour in 2023.
Protection for Renters
The New Hampshire House voted 187-135 on the Governor’s veto of HB 1247, falling short of the 2/3 vote needed to override. New Hampshire had an affordable housing and homelessness crisis well before the Covid-19 pandemic. HB 1247 contained temporary and targeted support for New Hampshire residents struggling to pay their rent or mortgage during this challenging time. In a state with high unemployment, higher underemployment and rising homelessness, we should be doing everything we can to help people keep their homes.
Medical Monitoring of Toxic Exposure to Chemicals
The New Hampshire House voted 191-138 to sustain Governor Sununu’s veto of HB 1375, legislation that would establish the elements of a claim for medical monitoring and the damages that may be awarded. The Seacoast Cancer Cluster taskforce was formed in response to an inordinate number of rare pediatric cancer diagnoses. There is an undeniable link between the toxins like PFAS chemicals released into our environment and the development of certain cancers. Granite Staters deserve the ability to seek remedy for the harm that a third party has negligently caused them and deserve to be notified and monitored with enough time to appropriately intervene and potentially save their health or life.
Protection for Vulnerable Adults
The New Hampshire House voted 191-142 to sustain Governor Sununu’s veto of HB 1660, legislation allowing vulnerable adults to seek protection from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. This bill would have enshrined in law a way for elderly Granite Staters and those experiencing disability to seek protection from abuse and financial exploitation. New Hampshire’s population is the second oldest in the nation, and it is incumbent upon the legislature to protect all our citizens. House Democrats will not give up the fight to protect all Granite Staters from abuse and financial exploitation and provide them with the dignity that they deserve.
Independent Redistricting
The New Hampshire House voted 198-135 on the Governor’s veto of HB 1665, falling short of the 2/3 vote needed to override. This vote, which blocks independent redistricting from becoming law for the 2nd year in a row, stifles efforts to enact this legislation prior to the drawing of districts for the next decade. Independent redistricting is strongly supported by Granite Staters of all political persuasions. This bill had bipartisan sponsorship and support, and addressed the concerns voiced by Governor Sununu when he rejected independent redistricting last year.
Expanded Absentee Voting Denied
The New Hampshire House voted 191-141 on the Governor’s veto of HB 1672, falling short of the 2/3 vote needed to override. Expanded absentee voting has already been shown to be a success in New Hampshire. With all voters temporary permitted to vote absentee due to COVID-19, over 90,000 Granite Staters chose that option in the primary election, nine times the normal number. Overall turnout last obliterated previous records, largely because of expanded absentee voting. There is no legitimate reason to deny voters the right to vote absentee in all future elections. Members of our Armed Forces have been voting this way for years. Our mail system and excellent poll workers can handle it. Voters understand and trust it.