The best news coming out of Concord was the Governor’s recognition of Ms. Grace Anderson of Salisbury for her 37 years of volunteer work with the elderly. Ms Anderson was the Merrimack County recipient for the Vaughan Award.

While I, as State Representative, nominated her, credit should go to Larry Chase for his interviews with Ms Anderson and the staff at Franklin Regional Hospital. He then wrote the winning essay which resulted in Ms Anderson being selected for the award. Thank you, Larry, and congratulations to Ms Anderson.

The House has been voting on Senate bills for the last few sessions. SB 113, the two casinos bill, came out of Ways and Means with 11 to 10 recommendation to pass, but it failed on the House floor by a surprising 223 to 141.

On the other hand, SB 116, repealing license requirements for carrying concealed weapons, won handily by a partisan vote of 212 to 150. This bill would basically make it okay for anyone to have weapons without any permit and background checks. The Governor has promised to veto this bill.

SB 105, relative to child resistant packaging for tobacco products, failed on a vote of 210 to 143.

SB 40, which would give an eight-weeks fetus the same recognition as a person in case of criminal offenses which could result in a miscarriage, passed 193 to 159.

SB 106, restricting the sale or possession of synthetic drugs, sailed through on a vote of 233 to 120.

SB 30, permitting counties with unincorporated areas to establish tax financing districts, was designed to allow the Balsams Resort owners to get state guarantees for the borrowing of $30 million to finish this project in the North Country. The State does not lend the money to the Balsams owners, but it could be liable if the Balsams owners default. This flew through the House on a vote of 293 to 57.

We are still waiting for the Senate to send their version of the budget to the House. It is worth noting that the Senate Finance committee restored full flood control payments to affected towns, including Salisbury. Chair Senator Forrester and our own Senator Andrew Hosmer, as well as the other four members of the committee, deserve our thanks.

I have started a Coalition of Legislators Against Downshifting (CLAD) in the House. We had the New Hampshire Municipal Association come and give a talk about the effect of the state downshifting costs to towns and municipalities and the resulting hike in local property taxes to make up the difference. I hope to have Mayor Loseau of Nashua speak at the next CLAD meeting on Wednesday, June 3, our next session day.

Tick and black fly season is in full swing. Cover yourselves when outdoors.

I am always available at 735-5440 or at MarioRatzki@nullgmail.com.