Happy February! Maple Syrup season is just a few weeks away, and then comes spring!
The House had the first sessions of 2022 on January 5 and 6 at the Doubletree in Manchester. There was much debating and voting on bills. I am going to dedicate most of this article to several bills and the reasons for my votes.
Redistricting: I know many people on both sides spent weeks and weeks working on the redistricting and held meetings all over the State. I thank each and every one of them for all of the hard work spent on these issues, but that does not mean I had to agree with their end results.
I voted against the redistricting bills presented by both the “majority” and “minority”. The bills passed and headed for the Senate without my voting “yea.” There were, in my opinion, too many changes all over the State of New Hampshire. Please remember there is a saying something like when two people always agree one of them is not necessary. This pertains to politics also.
HB 607: As originally introduced, “Establishing local education savings accounts for students.” I voted “yea” to table the bill. Let me be clear that I am 100% for School Choice, but not at the expense of the taxpayers. HB 607 would cost the taxpayers additional monies, and I would not agree to that.
Second, I live in a cooperative school district of five towns, and if one of the larger towns decided they wanted to vote in establishing local education savings accounts in our school district, the small town of Salisbury could not stop it. I believe each individual town should have to vote whether to implement something of this nature.
Lastly, according to the bill the school district would still receive monies for the student even though that student is going to school elsewhere. If this bill is revised and would cost absolutely nothing to the taxpayers, and each individual town would vote on the implementation or not, I could then consider supporting the bill.
HB 549: Relative to the energy efficiency resource standard and the system benefits charge passed unanimously 343-0. We want to protect the rate payers of the State.
HB 103: Establishing a dental benefit under the state Medicaid program. I voted “nay.” There were no financial figures given as to estimated cost to the taxpayers of New Hampshire, plus I believe it would be another increased tax on the people of New Hampshire.
How many people in New Hampshire do not have dental insurance and cannot really afford to go to the dentist? I believe taxpayers would be forced to pay for something they cannot afford for their families.
Voted “yea” on TOP/A on HB275 relative to the governor’s power to initiate a state of emergency and various emergency powers.
These are only a handful of the bills that were debated and voted on in the two-day session.
Our committees returned to work in January. I encourage everyone from District 1 – Andover, Danbury, and Salisbury – to all across the State of New Hampshire, to go to the New Hampshire General Court and read the calendar each week and become involved in your government, from signing in to testifying bills in committees, and speak out. It is important for each of you to stand up for issues that matter, as this is your State.
Annual school meetings and town meetings will be coming up. Get involved and become a candidate for an office. I will be running for school board from the town of Salisbury in the Merrimack Valley School District.
I can be contacted at: 603 648-2510 or l.a.andrus21@nullgmail.com.