NH House Science and Technology Chairman Comments on Concurrence with Senate on Eminent Domain Bill

CONCORD – House Science and Technology Chairman James Garrity, of Atkinson, offered the following comments on the concurrence of Senate amendment to House Bill 648, which establishes a commission to investigate the procedural rights of the landowner when a petition is presented to the public utilities commission by a utility seeking eminent domain, develop a framework for the state to provide use rights to transmission developers on state owned rights-of-way, develop policies to encourage burying such lines where practicable, and establish a structure for payment. The concurrence passed on a voice vote.

House Science and Technology Chairman James Garrity

“The changes made by the Senate to House Bill 648 maintains the strong protection of private property rights advocated by the House. We welcome the addition of a study commission to investigate issues related to utilities, eminent domain, use of state right-of-way, and innovative approaches to meeting our regional energy needs.”

AFPNH - One Legislative Victory Down, Many More to Go

Granite State Gatherings February 4 – Cheshire County GOP Committee Meeting at Walpole Town Hall at 8:30AM. Click here for more information. February 8 – Smart Girl Politics Meet-Up at the Draft in Concord at 6PM. February 8 – Kevin Smith at Belknap County GOP Meeting at Shang Hai Restaurant in Laconia at 6:30PM. Click here for more information. February 9 – Kevin Smith at NRCC Monthly Meeting at Crowne Plaza in Nashua at 6:30PM. Click here for more information. February 11 – Rye Republican Town Committee Meeting at Rye Public Library at 9AM. Click here for more information. February 11 – PBVRC Lincoln-Reagan Dinner at Plymouth Elks Lodge in Holderness at 5:30PM. Click here for more information. February 13 – Corey Lewandowski at the Rochester 9.12 Group Meeting at Salmon Falls Church of Christ in East Rochester at 6:30PM. Click here for more information.

First, THANK YOU to everyone who contacted their State Senators on HB 648. This bill relating to eminent domain petitions by public utilities passed the Senate last week by a vote of 23-1. This is a huge victory for private property owners in our state and is a real demonstration of our citizen legislature at work – an overwhelming number of you contacted your elected officials with your concerns and they voted to best represent the people that elected them. Thank you again to all of you for your efforts. Second, there are a couple pieces of legislation receiving hearings this week that we want to bring to your attention. This Thursday, there will be a hearing in the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee at 9AM in SH 100 on SB 227 which would alter the status of the members of the board of tax and land appeals so that members ARE NOT full-time employees but would receive per diem and mileage reimbursement for attending to board duties. AFP-NH supports this legislation that would shrink the size of government. I encourage you to attend this hearing if your schedule permits! Also on Thursday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee will vote on SB 293, which requires the department of revenue administration to give notice of an overpayment or underpayment of tax within 30 days, and notice of a final determination after a hearing within 60 days. AFP-NH supports this attempt to make the DRA more accountable to NH taxpayers! I encourage you to contact the Senators below and urge them to push for passage of this bill - Senator Jim Luther - 271-4151 - jim.luther@leg.state.nh.us Senator Bob Odell - 271-4063 - bob.odell@leg.state.nh.us Senator Jim Rausch - 271-3091 - jim.rausch@leg.state.nh.us Finally, I was pleased to recently provide testimony on two important pieces of legislation. I appeared before the House Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification Committee to discuss the merits of returning more authority and money for healthcare to the states as the committee considered proposed Health Care Compact legislation, HB 1560. I testified before the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee in support of a HB 1487 which would require legislative approval for state participation in any low-carbon fuel standard program. As has been noted, a Low Carbon Fuel Standards program equates to a Liquid RGGI. AFP-NH believes that RGGI has failed in every metric and sees no need for the state to undertake a similar program with regard to fuel. You can read more about it HERE. As is clear from the victory on HB 648, your efforts are making a difference at the Statehouse! Please continue to stay informed on the issues of importance to you and we will continue to provide you with up-to-date information and action items as needed. Sincerely, Corey R. Lewandowski State Director Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire P.S. We appreciate your support of our efforts. You can make an online donation by clicking HERE.

AFPNH - One More Week to Defend Private Property Rights

Thank you for contacting your State Senators on HB 648. Because of YOUR efforts, the Senate delayed the vote on the eminent domain bill until next week! The Senate is now expected to vote on HB 648 next Wednesday, January 25. This means we have one more week to make a difference on this bill. I encourage you to keep the pressure on the State Senators listed below. Please contact them and ask them to adopt HB 648 as it was approved by the House last year, NOT with the amendment as approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last month. Please see below the list of Senators, their contact information and the districts they represent: District 5 – Matt Houde - 271-2118 – matthew.houde@leg.state.nh.us Andover, Cornish, Croydon, Enfield, Franklin, Grafton, Grantham, Hanover, Hill, Lebanon, Plainfield, Springfield and Wilmot District 8 – Bob Odell - 863-9797, 271-6733 – bob.odell@leg.state.nh.us Acworth, Alstead, Charlestown, Claremont, Gilsum, Goshen, Langdon, Lempster, Marlow, New London, Newport, Roxbury, Stoddard, Sullivan, Sunapee, Sutton, Unity, Walpole, Washington, Westmoreland District 10 – Molly Kelly - 357-5118, 271-2166 – molly.kelly@leg.state.nh.us Chesterfield, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Hinsdale, Keene, Marlborough, Richmond, Surry, Swanzey, Troy, Winchester District 12 – James Luther - 465-3471, 271-2246 – jim.luther@leg.state.nh.us Brookline, Hollis, Mason, Nashua District 13 – Gary Lambert - 883-7990, 438-6333, 271-2735 – gary.lambert@leg.state.nh.us Nashua District 15 – Sylvia Larsen - 225-6130, 271-2675 – sylvia.larsen@leg.state.nh.us Concord, Hopkinton, Pembroke District 16 – David Boutin - 203-5391, 271-2709 – dboutin1465@comcast.net Bow, Candia, Dunbarton, Hooksett, Manchester District 18 – Tom DeBlois - 493-2281, 271-7803 – tom.deblois@leg.state.nh.us Litchfield, Manchester District 20 – Lou D’Allesandro - 669-3494, 271-2117 – dalas@leg.state.nh.us Goffstown and Manchester District 21 – Amanda Merrill - 868-2491, 271-8567 – Amanda.Merrill@leg.state.nh.us Dover, Durham, Epping, Lee, Rollinsford District 24 – Nancy Stiles - 601-6591, 271-6933 – nancy.stiles@leg.state.nh.us  Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, New Castle, Newington, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rye Thank you for your continuing efforts to preserve private property rights here in New Hampshire. Sincerely, Corey R. Lewandowski State Director Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire P.S. You can also support our work to protect private property rights and economic prosperity in New Hampshire by making an online donation HERE.

AFPNH - Urge Your Senators to Stand Up for Property Rights

Granite State Gatherings January 17 – BARC GOP Meeting at JJ Goodwin’s Restaurant in Center Barnstead at 6:30PM. Click here for more information. January 17 – Corey Lewandowski at WEB Republican Meeting at Lino’s Restaurant in Wakefield at 7:00PM. Click here for more information. January 17 – Ovide Lamontagne at Litchfield Republican Meeting at New England Small Tube at 7:00PM. Click here for more information. January 17 – John Stephen at Windham GOP Meeting at Windham Senior Center at 7PM. Click here for more information. January 18 – AFP-NH and RLCNH information meeting on proposed Health Care Compact legislation at Milford Town Hall at 6:30PM. January 19 – Greater Nashua Tea Party Meeting at Radisson Nashua at 7PM. January 21 – Kevin Smith at Goffstown-Weare Republican Meeting at Goffstown Parks and Recreation Bldg at 9:00AM. Click here for more information. January 21 – Nashua Dem’s Spaghetti Dinner at VFW Post #483 at 5PM. Click here for more information. January 24 – Atkinson Republicans host Kevin Smith at Kimball Library at 6:30PM. Click here for more information. January 26 – AFPF-NH School Choice Event – Restoring American Exceptionalism New Hampshire Townhall at the Draft in Concord at 7PM. Click here for more information.

I am writing to alert you to several opportunities this week to stay educated and engaged on important issues to our economic prosperity. First, a reminder that AFP-NH is partnering with the Republican Liberty Caucus to provide an opportunity to learn about the proposed Health Care Compact legislation, HB 1560 tomorrow night January 18 at the Milford Town Hall located at 1 Union Square in Milford at 6:30PM. The informational meeting is free but RSVPs are recommended. Please email Joy King to RSVP. Additionally, there will be a hearing on HB 1560 before the House Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification Committee next Tuesday, January 24 at 10AM. Second, next Thursday, January 26 Americans for Prosperity Foundation in New Hampshire will host a Simulcast Town Hall to “Restore American Exceptionalism” featuring Fox News contributor Dick Morris at the Draft Sports Bar in Concord at 7PM. The event is FREE! You can go here to reserve your free ticket today! Third, this week the House and Senate are expected to vote and hold hearings on some important pieces of legislation. The House will vote on CACR 13, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting a personal income tax in NH. The Senate will vote on HB 648, relating to eminent domain petitions by public utilities.  AFP-NH supported and scored HB 648 last year before it stalled in the Senate. An amendment was added to the bill that only clouds the issue. You can read more about it HERE in an op-ed written by Tom Thomson, AFP-NH Honorary Chairman. We encourage you to contact the state senators listed below and ask them to adopt HB 648 as it was approved by the House last year and NOT with the amendment as approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last month. Please see below the list of Senators, their contact information and the districts they represent: District 5 – Matt Houde - 271-2118 – Andover, Cornish, Croydon, Enfield, Franklin, Grafton, Grantham, Hanover, Hill, Lebanon, Plainfield, Springfield and Wilmot District 8 – Bob Odell - 863-9797, 271-6733 - Acworth, Alstead, Charlestown, Claremont, Gilsum, Goshen, Langdon, Lempster, Marlow, New London, Newport, Roxbury, Stoddard, Sullivan, Sunapee, Sutton, Unity, Walpole, Washington, Westmoreland District 10 – Molly Kelly - 357-5118, 271-2166 – Chesterfield, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Hinsdale, Keene, Marlborough, Richmond, Surry, Swanzey, Troy, Winchester District 12 – James Luther - 465-3471, 271-2246 – Brookline, Hollis, Mason, Nashua District 13 – Gary Lambert - 883-7990, 438-6333, 271-2735 - Nashua District 15 – Sylvia Larsen - 225-6130, 271-2675 – Concord, Hopkinton, Pembroke District 16 – David Boutin - 203-5391, 271-2709 – Bow, Candia, Dunbarton, Hooksett, Manchester District 18 – Tom DeBlois - 493-2281, 271-7803 – Litchfield, Manchester District 20 – Lou D’Allesandro - 669-3494, 271-2117 – Goffstown and Manchester District 21 – Amanda Merrill - 868-2491, 271-8567 – Dover, Durham, Epping, Lee, Rollinsford District 24 – Nancy Stiles - 601-6591, 271-6933 – Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, New Castle, Newington, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rye This Thursday at 3 PM the House will hold a hearing in the Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee on HB 1645, which would repeal all public sector unions. In the Senate, there may be a hearing on HB 418, relative to the use of open source software and open data formats by state agencies and relative to the adoption of a statewide information policy regarding open government data standards on Friday. We will continue to monitor these and other pieces of legislation and keep you apprised of their status. Finally, I will be speaking at the Wakefield, Effingham, Brookfield GOP Meeting tonight at Lino’s Restaurant in Wakefield at 7PM as well as the Rochester 9.12 Project and Bedford GOP meetings next month. I hope to see many of you there. Sincerely, Corey R. Lewandowski State Director Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire P.S. Stay up-to-date on AFP-NH activities and events by checking out our website and Facebook page. You can also make an online donation HERE.

CEI Daily - Eminent Domain and Plastic Bag Bans

Eminent Domain

Mississippi voters have elected to limit eminent domain condemnations in order to prevent takings like that in the Kelo case. Policy Analyst Marc Scribner comments. "This is a huge step forward in protecting the rights of Mississippi property owners, although George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin explains why it isn’t perfect (note the above exceptions). Governor Barbour has long opposed enhancing property rights protections on the grounds that eminent domain condemnations for private benefit are necessary to promote economic growth. Reason magazine’s Damon Root wrote about crony capitalist Barbour’s veto of reform legislation in 2009."

Plastic Bag Bans

More and more cities are choosing to ban plastic bags.

Senior Fellow Angela Logomasini comments.

"In reality, bans never promote innovation or growth-they do the opposite. Bans destroy the investment, productivity, and creativity of those who invent and develop products, and they divert resources from useful enterprises in order to find alternative products, which are usually inferior to those they replace. Accordingly, lawmakers should never ban products for arbitrary or political reasons. They should have clear and convincing evidence that such bans are the only means for protecting the public-a situation that rarely exists. It is obvious to see that plastics industry workers can lose jobs as markets shift to supposedly 'environmentally better' products, and consumers lose convenience from such bans. Less obvious is the fact that these anti-plastics policies are not the slam-dunk for Mother Nature that supporters claim."