How North Country Reps Voted

Eight of the 13 North Country representatives voting last week favored a bill that continues participation in in a regional cap-and-trade program, but stops funding energy efficiency projects such as helping people weatherize homes. Instead that money would be sent to ratepayers.

All those in favor were Republicans, while the five representatives voting against the bill were Democrats. Three other Democrats were excused from voting.

Nine of the 13 North Country representatives voted to kill a bill that would be taken tax dollars away from Planned Parenthood.

As NHPR reported House Bill 677 would have stopped sending tax dollars to the organization. It’s already illegal in the state to use public funds for abortions, but some lawmakers still believe that’s how the money is being spent.

North Country representatives were almost evenly split along party lines on whether to increase the gas tax for the first time in more than two decades.

As NHPR’s Josh Rogers reports on Wednesday Senate Bill 367 passed on a vote of 193-141. That means the state’s tax on gas and diesel will increase 4.2 cents, the first increase to the current 18-cents per gallon since 1991.

Among the bills considered earlier this week by the legislature were proposals dealing with licensing outpatient abortion facilities; preventing communities from purchasing military-style vehicles and allowing more serious charges if a fetus dies as the result of a homicide.

Here is how North Country representatives voted:

LICENSING OUTPATIENT ABORTION FACILITIES

Only three of the eleven North Country reps voted against killing a bill that would have required licensing outpatient abortion facilities.

Nine of the 14 North Country representatives voting favored a bill under which New Hampshire employers could not prohibit their workers from discussing how much they are paid.

The bill, H.B. 1188, passed 183 – 125 on Wednesday and now goes to the Senate.

Supporters argued the bill is a step toward ensuring men and women are paid equally for comparable work.

By roughly a three-to-one margin North Country representatives voted against legalizing marijuana.

As NHPR’s Ryan Lessard reported the debate over HB 492 had those in favor of legalizing the use of small amounts of marijuana saying marijuana was no different than drinking alcohol.

And, those opposed said there were “negative health impacts.”

Nine of the 14 North Country representatives voting opposed allowing police to use license plate scanners, while five were in favor of the technology.

As NHPR’s Josh Rogers reported supporters – including the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police – argued scanners might help solve crimes, while opponents worried about privacy issues.

The bill authorizing scanners, House Bill 675, was defeated 250 – 97.