Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics*

The results of the UNH Granite State Gambling Poll prepared by Andrew Smith have been released. The poll is part of data gathering by Governor Lynch's study panel on gambling created last summer; the final report is expected next spring.

The report can be seen as both good news and bad news for both proponents and opponents of gaming in New Hampshire, depending upon how one wished to use the data.

The 77 page report is available at NH.gov/UNH poll. For those who do not wish to plow through the entire document, the explanatory charts can be found near the beginning of the report.

*There are three kinds of Lies: Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics -Benjamin Disraeli

Report of the Legislature: Veto Day

The legislature is back in session for the second year of the 2009-2010 bienium. Most of the work being done is in committee where the more than 1000 bills filed get a hearing and a recommendation before they reach the floor.

But a full session was held this week to deal with the legislation passed by both the House and the Senate but vetoed by the governor. Some of the vetos were anticipated, some were not. Check out the results by clicking here.

Report from the Legislature: Education

For close to 20 years, education in New Hampshire was under the oversight of the courts. When a Democratic majority took control of the legislature after the election of 2006, high on the Party's agenda was to define, cost, fund and create a system of accountability for education of the state's children. After three years it has happened and the court is now out of the education business.

For a review of the final step click here.

Report From the Legislature: Marriage Equality

It took three House bills, multiple Senate amendments and some reluctance on the part of the Governor until he thought it was finally right, but on June 3, 2009, marriage equality came to New Hampshire. By a vote of 186 to 179 in the House and 14 to 10 in the Senate, we did the right thing.

Review the steps to equality here.

Report from the Legislature: Crossover

Crossover has occurred in the New Hampshire legislature. The House is now dealing with Senate Bills and vice versa. For a report on the Senate vote in support of same-gender marriage, a vote which surprised those on both sides of the issue, click here .

For a report on House votes on employement and election bills which have crossed over from the Senate click here.

Public Hearing to Decide on Traffic Signal

The New Hampshire Bureau of Highway Design will hold a public informational meeting to discuss Route 4 safety improvements at the intersection of NH Route 107 and North Road in Epsom. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 pm at the Epsom Fire Station, 1714 Dover Road in Epsom.

The purpose of the meeting is to present "concepts to improve safety and gather input from officials and the public in order to ensure that project decisions meet public transportation needs and community goals, and protect the environment". In other words, to see if a traffic signal will improve the safety of the intersection.

This is the final step before approval of a traffic signal in that location. While three of the four Epsom representatives have been supportive as has Senator Barnes and many Epsom residents, there is also opposition from residents who, not having to turn onto Route 4 from North Road, see no need for the signal.

How you can help: Even if you have sent emails in the past or attended the previous meeting, it is important to continue to stay active. If you can attend the meeting, please do so. If you cannot, please send another, or your first, email to maureen.mann@leg.state.nh.us stating your reasons for supporting the project. Encourage others who use the intersection to do the same

Report from the Legislature: the 'Bathroom Bill'

Sometimes partisan rhetoric becomes so strong that any relationship between the actual content of a bill and how opponents categorize it is lost. Such is the case with HB 415 which became known, thanks to Republican Party chair John Sununu, as the "bathroom bill". Sununu, with the help of multiple interest groups, some clearly misled and manipulated, convinced many New Hampshirites that if transgender individuals were given the same rights as other individuals, bathrooms would no longer be safe and perverts would overrun the state. This was a mean and nasty attack for purely political gain.

To read about the battle, click here.

Report from the Legislature: Abortion, Marriage, Drugs and Death

The legislative sessions on March 24, 25 and 25 saw votes on over 250 bills, including such controversial issues as a woman's right to chose, repeal of the death penalty, same-sex marriage, transgender rights and medical marijuana. It was an exciting and emotional week for all members, no matter on what side of an issue.

For details of the votes cast by members of the House of Representatives from Rockingham District 1, click
here.

Report from the Legislature: Tolls and Taxes

Throughout March, the House of Representatives has dealt with issues of finance. For results of some of those votes, and to see how representatives from Rockingham District 1 voted, click
here to read the report posted in The Forum [www.forumhome.org].

Report From the Legislature: HCRs or "if you want my opinion"

HCRs or House Concurrent Resolutions are used to put the legislature on record on some aspect of national or state policy. If they start in the Senate they are, not surprisingly, SCRs. Since they are not signed by the governor they are essentially opinions of the legislature.

Last session there were resolutions in the House on impeaching Bush and building a 700 mile wall along the border with Mexico among several others. They were tabled. My preference would be to table all House Resolutions and Concurrent Resolutions until the end of the sessions as they take a lot of time that could be better used doing the real work of the legislature. They anyone who wants to can debate as long as they please.

During the past two weeks there were four House Concurrent Resolutions which if passed also had to go the the Senate; thus they had to be considered now. They included issues concerning international agreements, election funding, and nullification and seccession. To read about the HCRs click here.

Report from the Legislature: Voter Privacy, Seat Belts and Education

After some weeks of committee hearings, the legislature has begun voting on legislation. Voter Privacy, Seat Belts and Education were hot issues in early March.

You can read about the role call votes of the state representatives from Rockingham District 1 by clicking here.