NH House Leaders Respond to Governor's Veto of Bill to Protect Gun Owners Rights

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) today offered the following statements in response to Governor Lynch’s veto of Senate Bill 88, legislation to allow gun owners to defend themselves from deadly force, immunize themselves from civil liability from defending themselves and ensure that dimply displaying a firearm does not constitute a crime, as was found in the case with Ward Bird.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“Both the U.S. and New Hampshire Constitutions clearly protect our citizens’ right to own and carry firearms.  This common-sense bill simply ensures that in New Hampshire, lawful gun owners can defend themselves when they are threatened.  SB 88 would make New Hampshire the 32^nd state to have a Castle Doctrine or ‘Stand your Ground’ law, and we should have been a leader in this important area of protecting individual rights.  It’s unfortunate that Governor Lynch has once again chosen to stand against the rights of lawful gun owners, but we firmly expect to override this veto and affirm New Hampshire as the ‘Live Free or Die’ state.”

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

“Today, Governor Lynch continued to show opposition to the spirit of the 2^nd Amendment.  Having the right to carry a firearm, but then saying that you can’t use it to defend yourself when your life is in danger is absurd and shows a lack of respect for the safety of Granite Staters.  It’s clear that the governor pays lip service but does not support gun owners’ rights, just as his fellow Democrats in the legislature consistently blocked this important protection for our citizens.  House Republicans will embrace the opportunity to override this veto ensuring that we give our citizens the tools necessary to protect themselves.”

NH House Leaders Respond to Governor's Veto of Legislation to Protect Home Buyers from Costly Sprinkler Mandate

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) today offered the following statements in response to Governor Lynch’s veto of Senate Bill 91, legislation that would prohibit communities from mandating sprinklers in homes.  Earlier this year, the Governor vetoed House Bill 109, also relating to a sprinkler mandate.  The House voted to override that veto by a 294-72 margin.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“At a time when our housing market has collapsed and is still falling in many areas of the state, the last thing we need is a costly mandate that will make homes across New Hampshire less competitive.  This bill protects home buyers from the cost of sprinkler system that is typically $6,000 or more per home.  Buying a home is still part of the American Dream, and the state should not try to snatch that dream away from future generations of New Hampshire citizens with costly and ill-considered regulations.  The Legislature overrode the last veto by the Governor on this issue, and we are sad to see that he chose to continue to make the same bad decision on this bill.”

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

“Republicans are trying to make it easier to buy a home in New Hampshire while  Democrats, led by Governor Lynch, are making it more difficult to realize "The American Dream" by adding thousands of dollars to the costs of housing.  Our housing industry needs a jump start, not a kick in the gut.  Governor Lynch needs to stop his relentless pursuit to regulate our employers out of business.  Overriding this veto will be a top priority for House Republicans, who support the business community in New Hampshire and realize just how hard it is for our citizens to earn the money to buy a house.”

NH House Leadership Statements on Governor's Veto of Voter ID

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) today offered the following statement in response to Governor Lynch’s veto of SB 129, legislation that requires voters to show photo identification to verify their identity to receive a ballot.  If a voter does not have an ID, they will get a ballot and have three days to return to their local clerk with a valid ID.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“Today, our citizens have to show a valid ID to get on a plane, on a bus, to pick up a package and to enter a federal building.  It certainly is not a major imposition to ask for a driver’s license or other ID in order to protect the integrity of voting.  The Supreme Court has consistently held that requiring a photo ID is not a barrier to our constitutional right to vote.  SB 129 goes a step further by making voter IDs available to those who don’t have one, so that no one is denied the chance to have their voice heard.  This is a good bill to ensure clean elections and it’s very disappointing that Governor Lynch has chosen against making sure that our elections are as pure as possible and free of corruption.”

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

 "It's apparent from his veto that Gov. Lynch places little or no value on the integrity of  New Hampshire elections.  SB 129 is an important common sense reform aimed at protecting our electoral process.  It would ensure that voters are who they say they are,  without disenfranchising anyone.  It is mystifying to me why the governor of New Hampshire, elected to uphold our Constitution,  would oppose legislation that would put an end to allegations of voter fraud that surface after every single election in our state.    It is a sad day for those of us in New Hampshire who believe in the 'one man, one vote' theory.  We will work hard to override this veto on behalf of the voters of this state."

House Leaders Respond to Governor Veto of Right to Work Legislation

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) offered the following statement in response to the Governor’s veto on House Bill 474, Right to Work legislation.

 House Speaker William O’Brien

“It’s certainly disappointing that the Governor would put loyalty to union bosses ahead of creating jobs for New Hampshire residents and improving the state’s economy.  Right to Work means more jobs for the state, particularly in the manufacturing sector, where we have struggled.  New Hampshire would become a magnet for employers who are seeking Right to Work states to grow their companies, as we would be the only state north of Virginia with this important protection for workers and incentive for businesses.  Because the House is so strongly concerned with creating good, new jobs in New Hampshire, we will work to overturn this poorly considered veto by the Governor.”

 House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

 “Right to Work is a key plank in the Republican platform and is also a cornerstone item to restoring the New Hampshire Advantage.  By passing this bill by wide majorities in both the House and Senate, Republicans in the legislature have made clear our commitment to growing our economy and stopping efforts by Democrats, like Governor Lynch, to stifle job creation.  Make no mistake, Right to Work will mean more New Hampshire citizens will be able to find good employment.  Recently, the CEO of Boeing – one of the 50 largest companies in America – said they want to move to Right to Work states.  Every day that we don’t have Right to Work is another day that we are missing the opportunity to bring jobs here.  That’s why House Republicans will join together to override this veto and expand economic growth.”



House Leaders Comment on Governor's Signing of First Cut in New Hampshire Taxes in Years

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) today offered the following statement in response in learning, according to a report in the New Hampshire Union Leader, that Governor Lynch had signed House Bill 229, repealing the state’s gambling winnings tax.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“After over 100 tax and fee increases that became law over the prior four years, this tax cut sends a clear message about the new direction we are taking in New Hampshire.  We are totally committed to protecting our low tax status and lifting the burden of government off the back of the working families of the state.  We are working to ensure that this is just the first tax cut of many for our citizens and employers, so that we can grow our economy and create good, new jobs.”

“I am baffled, though, why the governor would choose to sign this bill in secret.  The Lottery Commission has consistently told us that this tax was depressing cross-border sales with people unwilling to come here to buy tickets since the gambling winnings tax took effect in 2009.  One would think that Governor Lynch would want to promote this publicly in order to get the message out to folks in Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont that this tax has been repealed. The journey to fiscal responsibility now begins.”

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt

 “This tax cut is merely a first installment in our plans for tax relief for New Hampshire citizens.  Help is on the way and we are going to get back to being a low tax, business friendly state.  We want people from across New England and the country to come here to visit, to shop and to bring their businesses.  We are just getting started.”

 “I also share the concern that we should be working harder to get word out about this tax cut.  Coming from Salem, I see firsthand the impact of out-of-staters coming here to buy lottery tickets.  I encourage Governor Lynch to travel around the border communities and get the word out about this pro-business tax cut.  I’d be happy to work with local merchants in my hometown to set up an event with the governor to let people know about this tax cut that the Republican legislature has delivered to the people.”