Dennis Malloy Democratic Party 10 Van Etten Drive Greenland, NH 03840 Age: 67
Occupation: State Representative Greenland/Newington; Co-owner Malloy Corporate Interiors, Inc.; Arbitrator, Financial Industries Regulatory Authority Arbitrator;
Former Chief Development Officer, New Hampshire Public Television
Public Service/Offices Held: State Representative Greenland/Newington State Representative Barrington Selectman Barrington Trustee of Trust Funds Greenland, Barrington Seacoast Pediatric Cancer Cluster Commission Shoreland Septic System Study Commission Pease Restoration Advisory Board Seacoast YMCA Advisory Board Great Bay Stewards Trustee New Generation, Inc. Board of Directors Leadership New Hampshire Trustee
Why are you running for state representative?
Continuing the work we started in tightening and enforcing more strict PFAS and PFOA standards for New Hampshire, as reflected in many of the bills that I co-sponsored last term directly affects the health of residents throughout the Seacoast, but especially in Greenland and Newington. Finding these toxins near the Coakley Landfill and at the former Pease Air Force base have affected the confidence in our ability to insure clean and safe drinking water for Seacoast residents. Making travel safer on Highway 33 that runs through Greenland is critical. In cooperation with NH DOT and the Rockingham Regional Planning Commission we’ve established a goal to create a center turn lane on 33 running between the Winnicut/Bayside intersection to Stratham Hill Park. This will take strong legislative leadership and cooperation with state and county officials. Guaranteeing that the state legislature doesn’t impose any unfunded mandates upon towns and cities that results in property tax increases is a top priority of mine. In this uncertain budget year, it will be important to have experienced legislators who can prevent this while still balancing a state budget with decidedly less revenue available due to the COVID situation.
What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district and if elected how do you plan to address them?
The route 33 corridor is vital to both our residents and businesses from Stratham to Portsmouth. I am working with the NH DOT, the Rockingham Regional Planning Commission and national transportation officials to redesign and rebuild 33 with a center turning lane. Federal funds will be used for this project. The legislature needs to listen to the medical experts so that we fully understand the COVID testing needs and availability of vaccines. We must encourage open and honest dialogue in order to make the best health decisions for our citizens and apply the latest science. Monitoring and enforcing the strict PFAS/PFOA standards enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor is vital to this area. This is a public health issue and still don’t know the long term effects of exposure to these man-made chemicals. It’s our legislative role to ensure full implementation of these new standards through the administration of a $50 million bond at the state level. The Medicaid reimbursement was increased by 6% which helped keep staff in place to provide mental health and health care services. We are significantly lowering prescription drug prices by including those from Canada, creating a drug affordability board and capping the price of epinephrine and insulin. Both the House and Senate will explore ways to provide a dental benefit to Medicaid recipients through the use of federal funds.
How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-9 pandemic? What can the state do to help individuals and businesses still struggling?
The Governor responded to the NH House Democrats urging that he declare a stay at home order which helped to flatten the curve and save NH lives. Democrats in the legislature fought to ensure transparency of all federal CARES Act disbursements by passing legislation signed by the Governor to make all information available online. Overall, the response to the COVID pandemic was good. Granite Staters responded by wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and responding to emergency orders. Even though unemployment is dropping we should monitor this past December 30, when federal support ends and it’s clear that some changes are needed to improve our unemployment system. I heard from several residents of the struggles they had navigating the system. Other items that were considered but not approved was extending Paid Family Medical Leave to businesses above 15 people, increasing worker safety and sanitation processes and waiving the cost of PPE for business.
How should the state address projected budget shortfall due to the pandemic?
Given the pressure on cities and towns due to the pandemic, do you think the existing revenue models are sufficient and if not, what would you suggest? One of the hardest hit revenue sources was the rooms, meals and rental tax due to closures and reduced operating situations. Gasoline fees and business profits taxes declined as well. The legislature managed to ease the burden on property tax payers by returning $138 million to our municipalities for public education and $40 million in unrestricted grants. Both Greenland and Newington received funds from these sources. As a state legislator and member of the Ways and Means Committee I’m committed to making sure the state does not create any unfunded mandates upon cities and towns that would result in property tax increases. Due to a bi-partisan change in law last year, the legislature ensured that out of state businesses paid their fair share of the business tax and we enacted a package of prescription drug legislation including the capacity for reverse auction, which will save the state millions of dollar. Money was also added to the rainy day fund budget as well. Even the legislation that clamped down on acceptable PFAS and arsenic levels in drinking water will lead to additional savings. Spending cuts will have to be made, but not at the expense of property tax payers. It was helpful that we rebuilt the rainy day fund. There will be a shortfall, but it doesn’t appear that it will be as much as first thought.
According to the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office, there were 36 fatal drug overdoses in July compared to 25 in July of 2019, a nearly 45 percent increase. How would you rate the state’s response to the opioid crisis and what else do you think needs to be done to address substance misuse?
The pandemic has seen a sharp increase in all forms of addiction including alcohol and opioids. The mental health crisis, child abuse and domestic violence have been affected as well. There were a number of initiatives brought forth to deal with the opioid situation facing New Hampshire. This summer the legislature passed and the Governor signed a bill to establish an opioid abatement trust fund and the monies will to support prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance misuse disorders. The 2020-2021 budget increased funding for Medicaid provider rates for in-patient substance misuse treatment. Much of the monies are still being disbursed and we have yet to see the full impact of this. Other monies proposed were frozen in an effort to be fiscally prudent. The proposed 2020-2021 budget attempted to improve workforce development for health care workers responding to NH’s opioid crisis and provided increased funding to substance misuse treatment centers. It also proposed increasing funding for job training for those in recovery from substance abuse disorders.
Do you support legalizing gambling or marijuana for recreational use?
I am not in favor of legalized commercial casino gambling in NH. However, I do support expanded charitable gaming that is well regulated and insures a generous return of the winnings to NH charities. I approved the local option for KENO because the proceeds went to providing full-day kindergarten. I have not supported the legalization of recreational marijuana, but am in favor of its use if prescribed for medical purposes.
Do you think the state should implement a paid family medical leave insurance program?
The Paid Family Medical Leave Act was a bi-partisan bill that passed the House but died in the Senate last year. Another compromise between the Governor and the legislature was also vetoed. No one should have to choose between their job and either their own health or the health of a family member and there is broad bi-partisan support for the proposal. Because of the bi-partisan support for this initiative the legislature will continue to work with the governor and senate to develop a compromise that serves everyone.
Are New Hampshire gun laws sufficient? If not what changes would you support and why?
The legal ownership and use of firearms is a strong national and NH tradition and a right that should not be taken away. Suicide, domestic violence and mass shootings capture headlines and rekindle debates about the issue. Health care professional organizations consider red flag laws essential in order to reduce suicide and have been effective in states in which they have been implemented, but only if they allow adequate due process for the accused. New Hampshire no longer requires firearms owners to register with local law enforcement and we’ve heard from individual law enforcement officials as well as state-wide organizations that this puts our policeman in potentially dangerous situations particularly in domestic situations.
