In all votes, including those not involving questions of constitutionality, I always try to keep in mind several questions: 

 

• In New Hampshire, we have over 37,000 pages of RSAs (Revised Statutes, Annotated).  There are other kinds of laws not included in those pages, but no one, not even an official government agency or office, can even provide me with a total.  With that many laws already governing our daily lives, one of the first things I ask when presented with a bill is, "Do we need it?".

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• Other considerations, such as does the bill do more good than harm?  At what cost to our liberties?  Is the bill written well so that it is less likely to be misused in the future?  How will it affect our pocketbooks?  Will this law be fairly applied, and is it enforceable?

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My votes

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With that said, here are some of my votes from the floor of the House.  I will expand this section as time permits.

 

HB 1311 — prohibits persons charged with or convicted of certain assault or controlled drug possession violations from employment in a public school or from being granted teaching credentials.  Can you imagine the prevailing lack of common sense and safety prior to HB 1311's passage into law?

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HB 1671 — This bill was subject to more misinformation generated by lobbyists than almost any other bill I voted for this year.  It sets the standards for an adequate education in New Hampshire to include English and language arts, math, science, a variety of social studies such as civics and economics, and physical education, among others.  Lobbyists spread the rumor that HB 1671 cuts out subjects such as arts, music, and certain others, but that was a purposeful lie.  I received a number of standardized e-mails from constituents, a dead giveaway that complaints are crafted by a special interest organization and not by concerned individual citizens.  I referred constituents to the bill itself.  Hopefully the matter was cleared up for them and they will not just take lobbyists at their word in the future.

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HB 381 — This bill authorizes laboratory testing without a prescription.  If you decide to have your blood drawn to check your cholesterol or sugar levels in a licensed and certified laboratory, you may do so without first having to get a physician's order.  This is a common sense measure, saves time and money, and puts no one at risk.  If you see anything worrisome you can make an appointment with your doctor, who can always order another test to confirm the result and suggest whatever treatment seems advisable.

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HB 1178 — The New Hampshire Constitution is perhaps even clearer than the U.S. Constitution (if that's possible) on your right to keep and bear arms.  Article 2a states, "All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state."  HB 1178 strengthens Article 2a by mandating that infringement, by even the federal government, will not be aided by New Hampshire law enforcement.  Our Constitution is our Constitution.

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HB 1 — A sensible budget with a 3% cut in spending, $170 million tax cut, $100 million property tax cut.

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SB 418 — A new law ensuring that only legal residents of New Hampshire vote in New Hampshire elections.  Doesn't that seem reasonable to you?  This bill was also the subject of intense misinformation, with widespread claims of "voter suppression".  FACT:  The only votes this bill forbids are illegal votes.  Like you and me, anyone arriving at the polls to register on Election Day must have proper New Hampshire identification.  If they do not, they are still allowed to register and cast a provisional ballot.  They are given a prepaid overnight envelope addressed to the Secretary of State, which they must use to provide the necessary documents.

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