CORNERSTONE BLASTS LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP'S PROPOSED BAN ON FREE SPEECH

Says Provisions are Blatantly Unconstitutional; Calls on Democrats and Republicans to Defeat It

CONCORD – Today, the committee of conference on HB1459 agreed to an amendment that would levy unnecessary and unconstitutional regulations against free speech for political and issue advocacy purposes.  The "watered-down" amendment, which was opposed by at least one of the original members of the committee, Rep. Jim Splaine (D-Portsmouth), still mandates unconstitutional provisions such as requiring a vote of the Board of Directors for corporations prior to issue or political advocacy, as well as regulates certain forms of communication such as periodicals and telephone calls.   

Commenting, was Cornerstone-Action's Director, Kevin Smith: “The fact of the matter is that this proposed amendment is still blatantly unconstitutional as it puts unlawful prior restraints on free speech as well as unlawfully regulates certain kinds of communications.  We call on Democrats and Republicans in both chambers to reject this outrageous and unconstitutional attack on free speech in New Hampshire." 

As was reported in yesterday's Concord Monitor (5/27), Rep. Splaine said the proposal would have a "chilling effect" on free speech in New Hampshire and went on to say that "businesses and nonprofits would hesitate to spend money on political issues because they would fear being taken to court if they did not fulfill the reporting requirements."

Smith went on to say, "We totally agree with Representative Splaine.  He clearly understands that this is not a partisan issue, but rather it's about protecting one of our basic rights: freedom of speech.  We are hopeful that members of both parties will also come to this conclusion and defeat it when it comes up for a vote." 

Cornerstone-Action is the legislative advocacy arm of Cornerstone Policy Research.  Cornerstone-Action is a non-partisan, non-profit education and advocacy organization dedicated to the preservation of strong families, limited government and free markets.

Prescott on Hassan's "bad week"

Maggie’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

From budget irresponsibility, to stifling free speech, Hassan’s proposals harm her constituents 

KINGSTON (May 11, 2010) – District 23 Senator Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, has had a bad week. However, her incompetent, party-over-people policies have far-reaching consequences for the state and her district.

“In the last week, Sen. Hassan has shown a troubling misunderstanding of how the state budget works, and has created a free-speech stifling proposal that is rightfully being attacked,” said Russell Prescott, who is a candidate for State Senate. “These actions are troubling to say the least, and go against the character and common sense desires of her district.”

The state budget: Way over her head

It all started last Tuesday, when Hassan was quoted in the Portsmouth Herald saying she was surprised by the changing economic situation of the budget. This admission comes after increasing nearly 40 taxes and fees in the last year, and with more likely forthcoming.

“She is the Majority Leader in the Senate. She IS the budget process,” Prescott said. “Leaders from both parties warned her that revenues, regardless of how many taxes you raise, will not meet your increased spending. Instead of hard numbers and prudent fiscal management, she based her expectations on wishful thinking.”

Sen, Hassan raised taxes, exaggerated revenue projections, didn’t control spending and is “surprised” that she didn’t tax enough of our money to pay her bills?

First Amendment: A waiting period for small businesses

Meanwhile, instead of addressing her spending problem, Hassan is proposing an amendment to House Bill 1459, which would regulate corporate and partnership expenditures on political speech in New Hampshire. This action flies in the face of the January U. S. Supreme Court decision allowing corporate, union and non-profit free speech. Her proposal would require the approval of shareholders or partners before they could run an issue or political ad. In addition, there would be a five-day waiting period before an ad is released.

“The First Amendment is a very important document, and for her to place ‘regulations’ on small businesses to express their concerns smacks of state-sponsored censorship,” Prescott said. “This bill would have stifled the outcry regarding the LLC tax and other issues. Considering that more than 90 percent of businesses in New Hampshire are classified as small business, she would be shutting down the voices of many people. I staunchly oppose this proposal.”

About Russell

Prescott, the co-owner and vice-president of R.E. Prescott in Exeter. The former state senator (2000-2004) has owned his company for more than 25 years. He has been married for 28 years and is the father of five children.



CORNERSTONE COMMENTS ON PROPOSED 'MAGGIECARE'

Says Price Controls are Recipe for Health Care Disaster in NH

Concord, NH - Today, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Maggie Hassan, held a press conference to discuss her proposed piece of legislation, SB505, which would establish a new government bureaucracy made up of three "health czars" whose responsibility it would be to fix health care rates that hospitals and other health care professionals charge.  In addition, this new government entity would grant authority to itself to impose taxes on the income of these health care providers in order to sustain its own existence.

Commenting on this proposed health care boondoggle was Cornerstone-Action's Executive Director, Kevin Smith:

"At a time when the entire nation is rejecting the massive government take-over of health care on the federal level, Senator Hassan is now proposing that the State start fixing the health care costs of its private providers.  Not only will this kind of price controlling literally destroy the delivery of health care services in the State of New Hampshire, but this government take-over will know no limits and will certainly go far beyond just the hospitals."

Smith continued, "This legislature sure does have a penchant for sticking it to the health care providers in our State - first they try to steal money from the doctor's private (JUA) account, now they want to fix the rates hospitals charge.  The state Leadership appears to be as tone deaf as they are in Washington on the health care issue."  

Statement from Senator Maggie Hassan (D) on State Senate Special Election

Concord - Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement on the State Senate special election and Democratic nominee Rep. Jeff Goley.

 
"Rep. Goley's work as Chair of the House Labor Committee has been impressive and he would make outstanding addition to the State Senate.  His efforts to help pass the state W.A.R.N. act, expand unemployment benefits, and raise the minimum wage for the first time in over a decade are just a few of the many examples of Jeff's commitment to working families across the state."
 
"Rep. Goley truly reflects the values of the voters of District 16 and if elected, would be a strong voice for them in Concord.   He has worked tirelessly in the House to move New Hampshire forward, and I'm confident that he would continue this hard work as the next Senator from District 16."