NH House Leaders Statement on Nearly Three Quarters of Granite Staters Supporting Right to Work Law

CONCORD – House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) and House Division II Finance Chair and right to work sponsor, Will Smith (R-New Castle) today commented on the WMUR Granite State survey put out by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.  According to the survey, Most New Hampshire adults, 71% favor such a law, 12% oppose it, and 17% are neutral or have no opinion. Majorities of all demographic groups, including Democrats (69%), liberals (66%), and even union households (60%), favor this law. 

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

“The majority of Granite Staters know that as long as we continue the practice of forced unionism in New Hampshire, we’re going to lose out on many of the job opportunities that could keep them here. Passing Right to Work will give a major boost to our state’s future income and private-sector job growth.”

House Right to Work Sponsor, Will Smith

“It is unfortunate that Governor Lynch continues to be out of touch with the Granite State residents through his continued diligence in standing with union bosses against worker freedom in New Hampshire. We hope this is a wake-up call to Democrat gubernatorial candidate Maggie Hassan as well and that she will choose to stand with the 71% majority of Granite Staters—including members of her own party and even union households—who favor right to work and not the union bosses. We hope this rallies support in the Senate to take this important legislation off the table so we can continue to work toward making New Hampshire the first right to work state in New England. Watching opportunities for good, new jobs and economic growth pass us by is against our state’s traditions and weakens the New Hampshire Advantage.  We need to get the Granite State back in the game of being competitive and helping our citizens.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Bill to Expand Religious Freedom from Insurance Mandates

CONCORD – House Deputy Speaker Pamela Tucker (R-Greenland) and House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) today commented on the passage of House Bill 1546, which would recodify the laws relative to religious societies and adding a religious exemption to the insurance mandates relative to coverage for contraception. The bill passed 196 to 150.

House Deputy Speaker Pamela Tucker

“House Bill 1677 is not about the merits of contraception.  It is not about whether insurers choose to offer coverage for these services in their policies. This stands up for our religious institutions that have long-held principles and teachings under assault and for their religious liberties. Imposing anti-religious regulations on churches achieves no reduction of costs or availability of services, it only serves to please those pushing a political agenda. Health insurance costs in New Hampshire are increasing at dramatic rates. New Hampshire businesses are seeing 60% premium increases. A considerable portion of those increases can be chalked up to state health insurance mandates implemented during the prior four years’ Democrat legislatures and those need to be repealed.  Earlier this legislative session, we passed legislation that repealed seven insurance mandates and this has helped small businesses to escape some costs increases. The extra savings from premiums may even mean there is more money in the pockets of our small businesses to create more jobs and is the right way to reform the health care industry.  Resorting to distortions such as any allegation that this is about denying women’s health or is an anti-contraception issue is intellectually dishonest.”

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

“The reason this issue has come to light now is because ObamaCare is forcing people to buy health insurance. No religious intuition or employer should be forced to pay for services the find morally objectionable, and with this bill we will have paved the way on the state level. This bill has sent a clear message that here in New Hampshire we value our citizens and employers right to religious liberties. New Hampshire has a long and proud history of religious tolerance, and with the passage of this bill we will continue to support and preserve that proud history. Repealing health insurance mandates will reduce the cost of healthcare to individuals and businesses in the right way as opposed to how Washington intends to provide healthcare, which is to force Obamacare on our citizens with individual mandates.”

NH House Majority Leader Comments on Bills Passed During Wednesday Session

CONCORD – House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) today offered the following statements on several pieces of legislation passed by the House. All of the following bills appeared on the consent calendar and were adopted by the House by a majority voice vote Wednesday afternoon.

 

HB1172 - authorizing nano brewery licensees to sell their products at farmers' markets:

 

"HB 1172 is yet another example of this House working in bipartisan fashion to create a better and more competitive business environment for our citizens and businesses. By allowing licensed nano breweries to sell their products at farmer markets, we have helped get rid of some red tape and restrictions that have been put on our state’s small businesses in favor of a more streamline and competitive environment. This bill should be a prime example of what good legislation can do in regards to improving the many growing and niche industries throughout our state."

 

HB 1583 - relative to immunity for school personnel using reasonable force to protect a minor:

 

"The safety and protection of our teachers and school professionals is of great importance to this Legislature. By proving these safeguards we have reestablished this commitment and helped to allow teachers to do what they do best, which is educate our state’s students in a safe and secure environment."

 

HB 1410 - makes various changes to securities regulation laws:

 

"This bill will greatly strengthen the investigative powers of the state’s securities statues in order to help prevent any future fraud or deceit similar to the FRM tragedy. It is a long standing principal of the Republican Party to support legislation that creates efficient and honest government, and this bill help to ensure that these principals remain intact."

 

HB 1127 - relative to barbering apprentices:

 

"This Republican Legislature has been steadfast in its commitment to finding new and creative ways to help remove unnecessary regulations for our citizens and businesses. By removing needleless requirements in any profession, we help to make this state more business friendly and allow new avenues for our entrepreneurial class to contribute to our state."

HB1371 - relative to conflicts of interest of county government officials:
 
"This bill will help to continue the Republican Majority’s goal of open, honest and transparent government. By adding an avenue through which we can stop conflicts of interest on the county level, we have once again shown that our priorities will always fall in line with responsible government and officials who work for their constituents instead of their own personal gain."

 

NH House Leaders Comment on February Revenue Figures

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien and House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt today released the following statement in response to the release of the state’s February revenue figures. The report by the Department of Administrative Services showed that state revenue for the month was under plan by $1.4 million. Tobacco tax revenues, however, surpassed expectations by $900,000.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“Today’s February revenue numbers again show why the House was so committed to using accurate, responsible revenue projections in this budget.  We chose to use reliable revenue targets, and not inflate estimates as the Governor chose to do in his budget proposal to grow government more. ”

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

“Just this week Governor Lynch criticized the tax relief the legislature made last year. However, the Democrats might want to take the opportunity to see that the effects of tax reduction for our citizens are restoring the New Hampshire Advantage and bringing tobacco revenues above plan. People are responding to our ‘open for business’ approach to state government and our border retailers are clearly benefitting from a higher rate of out-of-state customers. Republicans made a promise that we would give New Hampshire residents a government that lives within its means and one that is focused squarely on making our state the best place do business and we must continue to focus on efforts that do just that.”

NH House Leaders Comment on Release of State Annual Financial Report Showing $17.7 Million Surplus

Call to Put Savings in Rainy Day Fund

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) commented on today’s release of the state’s 2011 annual financial report showing that the state had a $17.7 million surplus for the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2011.  An earlier estimate predicted a $26 million surplus for the year.  This month, the House passed a bill (HB 1652) to move these savings into the Rainy Day Fund, which currently stands at just $9.3 million.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“It’s good news that the state had a surplus, despite the overinflated revenue estimates missing their target by almost $40 million.  That’s why the House was so committed to using accurate, responsible revenue projections in this budget.  While there will undoubtedly be calls to use this surplus to grow government, the right answer is to put these dollars into rebuilding the state’s depleted Rainy Day Fund, so that we can both shore up our bond rating, as well as have some funds set aside in case there is a true emergency that the state faces.  This is one more step in our efforts to bring fiscal responsibility back to Concord.”

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

“There will be lobbyists and special interests who will be lining up to try to spend this money, but House Republicans are absolutely committed to putting these funds into the state’s savings account and continuing our ongoing efforts to keep spending in check.  We will make sure that we use taxpayer dollars as wisely as we would use our own, and these one time funds should be put aside so that we can send a clear message that we know how to save and not just spend.”