NH Legislature Current Term Achievements

This terms legislature was exceptionally busy and very productive. We dealt with about 1800 bills over the term and enacted 560 into law. In addition to that work each legislator performs many services to their district and its citizens which do not require legislative action. For example this legislator assisted in child support issues for constituents, arranged for the NH DOT - responsible for our many rest areas - to clean up, repair, and maintain that system as it had fallen into dis-repair and did not present an acceptable welcome to our many visitors and tourist whom we depend on for a large portion of our state economy. Another accomplishment this term was the resolution of the DMV/Milford district court issue. Through the efforts of Councilor Wheeler, Rep. Belvin and I the court remains and the DMV is still servicing the citizens of the Souhegan Region saving our towns thousands of dollars in payroll expense and our citizens the time and trouble of having to drive to Nashua for their plates. In addition the future looks bright for a new eco-friendly building housing the Court, State Police, DMV, and training facilities owned-not leased- by the state saving hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the project.

We are well aware of the upcoming elections and I thought it helpful in making your candidate choices to review what this legislature has accomplished for you and our state. Obviously with 560 bills enacted there isn't sufficient time or space to cover all the accomplishments in one sitting therefore I intend to submit a series of comments touching on our most important successes.

The most important action that took place this term was that of enacting a truly balanced budget. We accomplished this without "kicking the can" down the road with bonding or, at the very least, relying on suspect accounting measures, or draining the critical rainy day fund. Your children and grandchildren will appreciate our efforts in insuring this legislature didn't increase their debt before they were born.

Another success this session was a reduction of 11% in our state budget. Prior to this term the nearest any legislature came to this mark was a reduction of 1/2 of 1%.

Despite the difficult budget decisions we insured your education funding formula guarantees the same funding levels as last year. Responsibility for increases in that part of your property tax bill will fall on your local board.

We saved you, the  automobile and truck owners in the state, between 35 and 75 dollars per vehicle per year by repealing the despised surcharge this resulted in returning 90 MILLION dollars to you our citizens to spend on food, fuel, shoes for the kids and medical care.

We passed over 80 bills reducing business and consumer regulations signaling our pro business posture, but more specifics later.

Finally for this piece, you will be overwhelmed to learn that during our session we repealed the restrictions on the sale of  oleo-margarine, artificial flowers and miniature flags, and removed the ban on selling stove polish!!