In unusual alliances Democrats and Republicans from the North Country paired up for and against a bill that would have allowed gambling.
The bill failed on a 118 – 226 vote.
Eight representatives – including five Republicans and three Democrats – voted in favor of the bill.
Six representatives - including four Republicans and two Democrats – voted against the bill.
As NHPR’s Todd Bookman reported:
Gambling in New Hampshire ran up against a stacked deck in the Statehouse today.
The House has voted to kill a bill that would have brought four casinos and 14,000 video slot machines to the state. The bill would have used gambling revenue to reduce business taxes.
Supporters urged quick action to offset the recent approval of three casinos in Massachusetts.
"Since Massachusetts passed its own expanded gaming bill, doing nothing is no longer an option," says Representative David Campbell, a Democrat from Nashua.
The House rejected that plan by 40 votes.
The House then rejected another amendment that would have put the award of gambling licenses out to bid.
Critics like Hookset Republican David Hess warned colleagues that any expansion of gambling was too much.
"There is nothing of redeeming social value to casino gambling," said Hess. "It will change the brand of New Hampshire forever."
The State senate is considering its own gambling proposal. That too faces long odds of becoming law. Earlier this year, Governor Lynch promised to veto any bill that would bring casinos to New Hampshire.
North Country representatives who voted in favor of gambling were:
* Lyle Bulis (Republican) of Littleton
* Gary Coulombe (Democrat) of Berlin
* Edmond Gionet (Republican) of Lincoln.
* William Remick (Republican) of Lancaster
* Herb Richardson (Republican) of Lancaster
* Robert Theberge (Democrat) of Berlin
* Yvonne Thomas (Democrat) of Berlin
* Marc Tremblay (Republican) of Berlin
North Country representatives who voted against gambling were:
* Duffy Daugherty (Republican) of Colebrook.
* William Hatch (Democrat) of Gorham
* Larry Rappaport (Republican) of Colebrook.
* Gregory Sorg (Republican) of Easton.
* Kathleen Taylor (Democrat) of Franconia
* John Tholl (Republican) of Whitefield
North Country representatives who were excused from voting were:
* Stephanie Eaton (Republican) of Littleton
* Evalyn Merrick (Democrat) of Lancaster
To see how legislators voted on other bills go here.
