RINO OF THE WEEK REPORT

“Ostentation is the signal flag of hypocrisy.” —Edwin Hubbel Chapin

Representative Frank V. Sapareto (R) Rockingham District 5 – Derry  is this week’s RINO of the Week.  But let us be clear about Representative Sapareto. He is not a run-of-the-millRINO. In fact, as a State Representative, (notwithstanding this one bill he filed), He is one of the more solid Republicans up in the Legislature. In fact, the House Republican Alliance scores him at 86% which isn’t bad at all.

Sapareto is, in all respects, a decent State Representative. But for reasons that defy all logic, Sapareto filed a bill which essential uses taxation to punish Pinkerton Academy, creating an exception in state law so that Pinkerton Academy pays a property tax. No other Private Institution in the state would be bound by this law, just Pinkerton. As Josiah Barlett Center for Public Policy President Charlie Arlinghaus pointed out in the Union Leader:

“HB 1201 doesn’t tax anything else, create a new category of taxation, or change the rules under which the other cities and towns of New Hampshire operate. It merely says that notwithstanding provisions of current law, this one school, singled out by name, has to pay property taxes.”

Clearly it is outside the purview of conservative Republican principles to pass any law that is abusive in singling out any institution that a legislator might have a “bee in his bonnet” over, much less the use of taxation to reward or punish.

Pinkerton Academy is a top notch High School. And I should know, being an alumnus. While Pinkerton is a private school, Derry residents as well as some from surrounding towns are served by Pinkerton. It was that way long before Frank Sapareto came from his hometown of Haverhill Massachusetts.

Frank Sapareto may not be a common RINO, but this bill was not only foolish, but a RINO act spelled with a bold-faced 24-point R.  And for that reason, Frank Sapareto is this week’s RINO of the Week.

Comments

[Rep Steve Vaillancourt]

If you're singling out people with 86 scores, I have to wonder, maybe I'll be next. It would be an honor. The way the Republican party is going, putting party ahead of constitutional principles, such as on redistricting, we all should become RINOS.

[Rick Olson]

Did you read the blog, Steve?

[C. dog]

I did, Rick, and it must have been a tough call. But when someone commits an act of RINO'ism, they should be called out, regardless of past performance. That way, they can learn from their mistakes, like when pols of various stripes attempt to railroad legislation that would protect a person's property from the facio twins of Big Biz and Grate Gov.
– C. dog

[Rick Olson]

Thanks C.Dog....It is not the intent to label Sapareto a "rank and file" RINO cut from the same cloth as the David Kidders, Julie Browns and the Ken Goulds...No, Indeed, Sapareto is no RINO, but this legislation is about as RINO as it can possibly get. Its just plain wrong.

[RINO Safari]

Steve has gotten real touchy and sensitive lately. Things aren't going his way very often in the State house, so he seems to be on the warpath.

Sapareto is no RINO but this bill boggles the mind; it just seems like a vendetta and ill conceived at the least.