Seacoast On-Line Profile of State Rep. Dennis Malloy

State Representative Dennis Malloy running for the new Greenland Rye NH seat in the NH State House

Question from Seacoast On-Line: The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws?

The next legislature should vote to repeal Gov. Sununu’s dangerous law that interferes with the professional medical relationship with the patient. The governor and Executive Council have consistently voted in favor of anti-choice decisions and the 24-week abortion ban that was signed into law which actively threatens doctors who provide obstetrical care across New Hampshire. NH should join with the five other New England states that protect women by providing access to reproductive healthcare. The decision to end a pregnancy under any circumstance is deeply personal and should be made with the guidance of trained health care professionals who understand the complicated circumstances under which this decision is made. The woman, her family, her faith and licensed health care professionals who are medically trained to safely conduct the procedure are the people and the circumstances which must be considered in making this decision. Punitive abortion bans that criminalize both the patient and the doctor for agreeing to and performing a medical procedure that may be necessary to save the life of the mother as well as her overall mental and physical health should be repealed.

Question from Seacoast On-Line: The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges?

Effective measures including net metering, combating climate change, microgrids, the utility rate structure, renewable and clean energy, renewable portfolio standards and sustainable energy efficiency projects have been ignored or vetoed. Quality K-12 public education, and an affordable higher education system will produce a strong labor pool. However, growing the population in key labor rich age groups can have a more immediate effect on meeting a labor shortage. The economy has grown and improved when it has attracted people who possessed the education and skills to compete. The Pease Development Authority, the ARMI tissue regenerative program in Manchester and lowering the cost of steel allowing NH fabricators to use American made steel were initiatives that grow the labor force. Tax credits, development authorities and educational opportunities can be supported. Planned economic growth and a productive educated workforce can hold the line on inflation. The Business and Industry Association (BIA), the NH Municipal Association and the Municipal and County Government Committee codified guidelines that provided municipalities considerable leeway on how to manage the affordable housing shortage. However, stronger enforcement of these planning and zoning laws may be needed to encourage towns to consider affordable housing needs.

Question from Seacoast On-Line: What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?

As a selectman, trustee of trust funds and a state legislator I believe in public service and have been fortunate to serve on non-profit boards and state commissions. Providing funding for public K-12 education and controlling the costs of secondary education is a priority. Our university students are graduating with some of the highest college debt in the country, while NH is at the bottom of states supporting secondary education. Manufactured PFAS & PFOA chemicals must be cleaned up so that future generations are not subjected to potential health hazards and to preserve clean drinking water in this state. We must continue to prevent the state legislature from forcing towns and cities to absorb certain portions of state pensions for qualified public employees. State revenues have historically covered public employee pensions, but when the state decides not to, that cost is shifted to property taxpayers. Equitable distribution of highway block grant money and rooms and meals taxes are also important for property tax relief. I am proud to have served the state of NH for two decades and I thank you for your support and encouragement in protecting NH’s natural resources, fighting to support our teachers and schools and preventing property taxpayers from being unfairly burdened. More information about me and my background is available at www.dennismalloy.com.