Let’s remind ourselves what a “public servant” is: Their primary role is to serve the interests, needs and well-being of the public.
Now we’ll check into how the majority party has best served the interests, needs and well-being of the public with the following bills. You be the judge . . .
HB 368 was a well-intentioned bill that would have prohibited smoking and e-cigarettes in vehicles with a passenger under the age of 16. The prime sponsor was Rep. Peter Schmidt D-Dover. The public has been aware of the dangers of second-hand smoke now for many years, made even more toxic in enclosed vehicles. The worry verbalized by the majority party was, “infringing on civil liberties of drivers” and “doesn’t want government being able to tell people what to do in their own cars.” That last one is a head-scratcher for sure! As a government body they have been slowly chipping away at local control, eroding a person’s voting rights and insisting that a woman has no control over her own body!
Anyway, this common sense bill was shot down, 213-157 by the party who protects the life of a fetus at all costs (even at the expense of the life of the mother), while refusing to fund school lunches for children of low-income families.
HB 724 had to do with lead paint poisoning prevention and remediation. Brought with the safety and well-being of children in mind by Democrats, this bill reminds contractors to have a certified EPA-RRP license to perform renovations on pre-1978 homes or facilities where children are present. Additionally, the license number needed to be on the building permit application. Registered on-line support for this bill was 108 to 7 who opposed it.
Rep. Joe Sweeney R-Salem, made a motion to indefinitely postpone this bill, which passed, 202-167. Indefinite postponement: a motionmade from the floor that further action on a bill be deferred and thus that the bill be killed. The ‘pro-birth only” party had spoken.
HB 756 was legislation sponsored by eight Democrats to establish a blood lead level testing requirement for children entering daycare and public schools. Reasonable request you might think, considering lead poisoning is on the rise in NH’s children or that some kids aren’t tested at all. Not according to Republicans who spoke against it with nonsense like this; Babies are tested at the ages of one and two and that is more than enough. Besides, think of the extra added paperwork for the daycare or school system!
Registered on-line support for this bill was 94, 7 against. The bill failed, 202 -169. Daycare facilities and schools were now spared the horror of extra paperwork at the expense of a child’s health.
HCR 7, acknowledging abortion as a critical component of comprehensive reproductive health care, (House Concurrent Resolution). “an individual's right to terminate their own pregnancy, prior to 24 weeks gestation, shall not be denied or infringed upon in this state.” Registered on-line support of this resolution was 2,708, 109 against. Some comments:
“As a community member and new nurse in the field of women's health and reproduction, I recognize the contents of this bill as essential in upholding safe and effective health care.”
“My spouse has worked in women's health for years and has seen how a lack of care options can lead to terrible outcomes for women. We need to ensure women can get the care they need in our state.”
“This bill actually exemplifies our alleged state motto of "live free or die" as it empowers the autonomy of NH residents. Reproductive decisions should only be between the individual and their medical provider. The only role government should play is ensuring our autonomy to pursue our own healthcare is protected. As we have seen with Roe, we must enshrine our rights into law so that they cannot be overturned on a whim by bad actors; lock it in and leave it sorted.”
“NH needs to have abortion at 24 weeks in our constitution. It is important for women and their doctors to be making these decisions about their pregnancy without having to consult with their local politician.”
“I am a primary care physician. Reproductive rights are human rights. Access to abortions saves lives. Medical decisions should be left to the patient and their medical team/doctor.”
“I think it’s essential to protect our rights as women’s to our own bodies. While I may not choose an abortion for myself, I would never put someone else in a position where I am making that choice for them or the government is making that choice for them. It is their body and their choice.”
“It really is my body.”
Liberty Alliance member, Rep. Lisa Mazur made a motion to table HCR 7. And so, despite overwhelming support, the party of “let them eat lead” tabled the resolution, 199-171.
New Hampshire can do so much better.