Rep. Aylward: Wow! What A Day In Concord And Beyond ...

Wow! What a day in Concord, and beyond. . .

by Deborah Aylward

Gun rights supporters shot down by HB 1711

HB 1711: authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for confiscation of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.

Myself, Reps. Andrus and See voted ’Nay’ on HB 1711 which was brought in the name of Chief Bradley Bass, a former Franklin Police Officer who was murdered while on duty as an unarmed security officer at the NH state hospital, and while guarding the lobby of the secure psychiatric facility. However, the bill passed 204-149. Amongst the dissenting reps, many felt that the bill as written needed more work, in that some of the language interfered with the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms and voted to protect those rights, unfortunately, to no avail. The bill adds mental health records to gun purchase checks.

HB 1283: relative to end-of-life options

Though passing the House on 3/21/2024, a ‘Motion to Reconsider’ was made on 3/28/2024, to which I, along with the Majority, voted ’Nay’, with the OTP/A vote upheld.

Making calls to and receiving emails from constituents regarding their views, and taking into consideration the fact there was no indication of overwhelming opposition to the bill, with most in support thereof, I voted my convictions to provide and protect the rights of individuals who are terminally ill, within 6 months of dying, and experiencing insufferable pain, to personally decide to request and administer the treatment themselves.

Standing in solidarity with two Doula’s who showed up at the Capitol in advance of our session, who are trained and certified professionals providing end-of-life care, I learned about some of the horrors they’ve seen during their practice involving terminal patients suffering from intractable pain, which explained why they (and myself) were adamant supporters of HB 1283.

Food for thought: Of those reading this, who would allow a beloved pet to live in anguish if hit by a car, their bones and internal organs crushed with heroic measures not an option? What about a person facing the same fate?

And do not loved ones make decisions to 'pull the plug' that aids with dying? What is the difference?

Information on medical aid in dying, including arguments for and against, can be found at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.c...

New Hampshire Housing Crisis

Millineal-driven, mixed-use development uses grocery and other types of essential stores/services as anchors. The creation of an exit ramp off a highway can result in mixed-use housing and commercial development to spring up. But what of rural areas that do not have grocery stores nearby, and don’t have room in their downtown areas for further or substantial commercial development — just how will these municipalities attract housing developers? Anchor stores need high traffic to succeed, their contribution to the tax base providing tax relief to residential property owners. In underserved areas, grocery stores make good sense but are risky. So which comes first, the anchor stores or the housing developments? Citizens need to ask what their rural towns are doing to make their towns more attractive to housing and commercial enterprise developers, now and well into the future.

HB 1291 which was heard by the Special Committee on Housing relative to accessory dwelling unit uses allowed by right was voted OTP/A, with myself voting ‘Yea’. This bill increases the number of accessory dwelling units allowed by right from one to 2, adds definitions, and increases the maximum square footage. It also gives municipalities the right to require accessory units to meet the definition of workforce housing.

Lily Tang Williams for Congress!

With Annie Kuster announcing she will not be seeking a Congressional seat this year, that leaves Lily as the frontrunner. I’ve met and stumped for Lily at the State Capitol, she is a real spit-fire who escaped Communist China, and a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. Lily cherishes Life, Liberty, and Democracy, and will passionately represent her constituents' needs in Congress. Please vote for Lily.

Granite State Credit Rating Upgrade

According to the State Treasurer, Monica Mezzapelle: "S&P Global upgraded the State's credit rating to AA+ from AA. The last time S&P Global upgraded the State was in 1995 (AA+, stable outlook) followed by a downgrade in 2003 (AA, stable outlook). After a series of revisions to the credit outlook, a positive outlook was assigned in February 2020. The pandemic reversed the outlook, but the rating agency restored the positive outlook in March 2022, which led to this year's upgrade."

Arthur Ellison Passes Away

The Honorable, three-term Representative for the city of Concord, Wards 1,2, and 3, and Merrimack County Delegate Arthur Ellison passed away on March 3, 2024.

Concord Monitor: https://www.legacy.com/us/obit...

Marijuana Use and DUI Survey

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM, NH) reports that nationwide, 8.623 persons 26 years or older were convicted of driving under the influence of marijuana according to a 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. SAM further reports that youth use rates (12-17 yrs. old) in NH is approximately 9.8%.

For more information: http://samnewhampshire.org/

Are you in favor of legalizing marijuana? Let me know! deborah.aylward@leg.state.nh.us

Deborah Aylward resides in Danbury, and is a state law maker.