NH House Republican Leaders Comment on Gas Tax Increase Bill

CONCORD – Today House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) and House Republican Policy Leader Laurie Sanborn (R-Bedford) offered the following statements on the committee vote on HB617, a bill that would raise the gas tax. The House Ways and Means committee voted 11-7 to recommend the bill ought to pass with amendment. The committee amendment would raise the gas tax by 67%. Republicans on the committee were unanimous in their opposition to the bill.

House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) 

“Taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the pockets of New Hampshire consumers during these tough economic times is not the appropriate solution to fixing our roads and bridges. Quite simply, this is the wrong bill at the wrong time. I'm happy the Republicans on Ways and Means stuck with New Hampshire families and small businesses by voting against this bill.”

“It is also important to note that before we start imposing tax increases we need to make sure we are complying with all state laws and the Constitution to assure that the appropriate amount of highway fund monies are actually going to fix our highways. The legislature’s reluctance to follow the law shouldn’t result in a multimillion dollar tax increase for the taxpayer.”

House Republican Policy Leader Laurie Sanborn (R-Bedford)

“We are very concerned about the impact of a gas tax increase on the working families and small businesses in our state during these tough economic times. Now is not the time to be discouraging economic growth. We need to focus on getting the 40,000 people in New Hampshire who are looking for work back to work. Further burdening our business community and forcing our consumers to pay more at the pump is a step in the wrong direction."

NH House Republican Alliance comments on HB299 vote in Finance

The NH House Finance today recommended Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 299 which would have removed a moratorium on Charter Schools.  HRA co-chair Pam Tucker stated, "HB 299 would have funded our public charter schools and given more choices in education to our students.  This terrible party line decision jeopardizes the future of new charter schools in our state and federal funding we might receive for existing schools.  While members of the house preach they want excellence in education, these actions state exactly the opposite."

NH House Republican Leader Comments on Gas Tax Increase Bill

CONCORD – Today House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) offered the following statement on HB617, a bill that would raise the gas tax 15 cents over the next 4 years. Rep. Chandler testified in opposition to the bill as it was heard in the Ways and Means Committee today.

House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett)

“The effects of this legislation won’t just stop with increased gas prices. Increased fuel costs will increase the cost of doing business in our state which will inevitably force our state’s businesses to pass along additional burdens to the consumer. This means that not only will New Hampshire families pay more at the pump, but they will also pay more for essential goods and services across the state.”

“Taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the pockets of New Hampshire consumers during these tough economic times is not the appropriate solution to fixing our roads and bridges. Quite simply, this is the wrong bill at the wrong time.”

NH House Republican Leader Comments on Senate Passage of Expanded Gaming Bill

CONCORD – Today House Republican Leader Gene Chandler offered the following comment in reaction to the passage of SB152, a bill that would allow for one location to host slot machines and table games. The Senate passed the bill by a 16-8 vote.

House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett)

“At this point, I’m uncertain of how this bill will be received in the House. There have been dozens of expanded gaming proposals that have failed in the past. This is why we were alarmed by the Governor’s budget proposal that included $80million in casino licensing fees. Many Republicans thought it was irresponsible for her to base our State’s fiscal health on something that is not even legal in the State. The House finance committee will be moving forward, creating a budget that does not count on expanded gaming revenue, as they should. Even if some sort of gaming proposal should pass, it’s highly unlikely that we would see any revenue in time for this budget cycle.”

NH House Republican Alliance statement on HB399 Protecting NH Citizens From NDAA

CONCORD, New Hampshire –The NH house passed today a bill that would protect our citizens from being locked up and hidden away by the Federal government.   

In a statement on its passage, Rep. Al Baldasaro- Londonderry stated, "In passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sections 1021 and 1022, the Congress of the United States of America has suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, allowing any American citizen to be indefinitely detained without warrant.   This power can only be invoked during times of rebellion or invasion, when there is ongoing open warfare on American soil.  However, Congress has declared no such war, making those sections of the NDAA unconstitutional. New Hampshire proposes to declare those sections unconstitutional and to protect its citizens by making it a crime to carry them out or aid in their execution within the borders of New Hampshire.  We do not believe the federal government can lock up our citizens without just cause.  By passing HB 399, we are asserting our  duty as a State to protect our citizens. "