AFPNH - RGGI Repeal Vetoed by Governor Lynch

As we all continue into our busy summers, I wanted to provide you with a brief update from AFP-NH.

First, the latest legislation containing the RGGI Repeal was vetoed TODAY by Governor Lynch. As you may remember, the RGGI Repeal was included in S.B. 154, the Shoreland Protection Act, which was passed by the Senate last month.  Governor Lynch’s veto will send the bill back to the Legislature for a possible override.  We will need your help to override this veto and remove New Hampshire from RGGI! I will keep you posted on when we should take action to pull the plug on RGGI.

In other legislative news, I am pleased to announce that yesterday Governor Lynch signed into law one of the bills AFP-NH has been tracking that would return more control to taxpayers on their local budgets by allowing cities and towns to adopt spending caps. Click here to learn more about S.B. 2 and how it will make government more accountable.

Secondly, this Saturday morning, July 9, I will be on GrokTalk with Skip Murphy. I always enjoy discussing the latest political news with Skip. I am sure this time will be no exception. As you may know, AFP Foundation recently honored Skip at our annual RightOnline Conference as the “Activist of the Year.” You can read more about it at THIS LINK.

Third, I recently appeared on the Londonderry Access Community Television Program, “Chattin’ Presidentially with Jeanine.” Please use THIS LINK to learn more and view the segment.

Fourth, please continue to visit our website and Facebook page for updates and information on AFP-NH actions and activities like the recent piece that I wrote regarding the end of the legislative session.

Finally, to the left you will see the updated version of our Granite State Gatherings section.  

I appreciate your time and interest in our efforts and look forward to seeing you around the state this summer.

Sincerely,

Corey R. Lewandowski
State Director
Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Commends Democratic Governors for Protecting Americans' Voting Rights

Washington, DC– This week, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch vetoed a photo ID bill that had been passed by the Republican legislature. In so doing, he joined Governors Bev Perdue of North Carolina, Jay Nixon of Missouri, Brian Schweitzer of Montana, and Mark Dayton of Minnesota, all of whom have vetoed similar legislation that would have restricted voters’ access to the ballot box. In response, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said:

“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. Any attempt to infringe upon that right or impede Americans’ ability to choose their own leaders is an unconscionable attack on the democratic values that set our nation apart. I applaud Governor Lynch and all the Democratic governors across this country who have taken a stand to defend Americans’ right to vote by vetoing Republican photo ID legislation and similar bills. There is quite simply no good reason for Republicans to continue pushing such legislation. It is expensive, unnecessary, and harmful, and I will continue to fight with Democratic leaders across this country to stop Republicans from manipulating Americans’ constitutional rights for partisan gain.”

CORNERSTONE APPLAUDS HOUSE AND SENATE OVERRIDE ON PARENTAL NOTIFICATION

CONCORD, NH – Today, both chambers of the New Hampshire legislature voted to override the Governor’s veto of HB329, the parental notification bill.

Commenting on the victory for parental rights was Cornerstone Director, Kevin Smith: 

“Today is a major victory for parental rights in New Hampshire.  Parents have an inherent right two know if their minor daughter may be seeking a major medical procedure such as an abortion.  Thankfully, a super-majority in the Legislature today voted to enact this common-sense law by overriding the Governor’s ideologically-driven veto.”

NHGOP Chairman Comments on Veto Overrides; Marks June 22nd as "Lame Duck Day"

CONCORD- Jack Kimball, Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, today released the following statement regarding the overrides of Governor Lynch’s vetoes: “You can mark June 22nd as the day we confirmed that Governor Lynch really is a lame duck. By the time this session is over, every one of Lynch's vetoes will be defeated.  I am particularly proud to say that we are restoring a part of our natural rights as parents to know what is going on in our children's lives.” ###

New Hampshire Patients Look to Legislature for Relief as Gov. Lynch Vetoes Medical Marijuana Bill

Bill Had Been Altered by Lawmakers to Address Governor's Specific Concerns

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch vetoed a bill to protect seriously ill patients from arrest for using doctor-recommended medical marijuana today, and patients are urging the legislature to override the veto.

The bill, which had been tailored to address eight specific concerns expressed by Lynch last month, passed in the House in June, 232-108, and in the Senate, 14-10 – two votes shy of what would be required to override the governor's veto.

"I'm disappointed that Governor Lynch did not meet with patients like me before deciding medical marijuana users should continue to risk arrest and jail to relieve their suffering," said Fremont resident Dennis Acton, a Republican cancer survivor who used medical marijuana to relieve nausea caused by radiation therapy in 1999. Acton appeared in a commercial earlier this month asking the governor to allow the bill to become law, available here: www.mpp.org/NHads. "I'm urging my fellow Republicans in the legislature to have the courage to stand up and override this veto."

Matt Simon, executive director for NH Common Sense Marijuana Policy, vowed not to give up on New Hampshire patients.

"Unlike Governor Lynch, the legislature has studied medical marijuana policy, listened to the stories of patients and the experience of physicians," Simon said. "They understand we have an obligation to protect our most vulnerable citizens, and I'm confident they will once again stand up for them and override this veto."

A key change to the New Hampshire's bill, as requested by the governor, involves removing a provision allowing patients or their caregivers to cultivate their own marijuana plants, as patients are permitted to do in all 13 states that currently protect medical marijuana patients from arrest. Instead, the amended bill allows for the creation of up to three nonprofit "compassion centers," which could legally cultivate medical marijuana and dispense it to qualified patients.

"The bill the governor vetoed is probably the most tightly written and controlled medical marijuana bill in history," Simon said. "There is absolutely no doubt that it will provide patients the legal protection they need while ensuring we continue to maintain safe, drug-free communities. The time to pass this law is now."