Tag Archives: NH House

5-19-13 AFT-NH Legislative Update From Pres. Laura Hainey

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 20, 2013 - 12:47 pm | , , ,
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UPCOMING FULL SENATE VOTES MAY 23rd

The following bills will be voted upon this coming week:

The Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee recommends passage of HB 124, relative to the determination of gainful occupation for a group II member receiving an accidental disability retirement allowance from the retirement system.  This recommendation came on a 3-2 vote in committee, and AFT-NH is in support of this recommendation and asks that the full Senate support the committee’s recommendation. This bill does the following:

I. Reinserts a provision which removes the application of the gainful occupation reductions to retirement allowances of group II accidental disability beneficiaries who have years of service plus years of accidental disability retirement which total at least 20 and who have attained the age of 45.
II. Allows the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the Department of Safety the option to rejoin the retirement system as a member and to continue group II retirement status based on prior service and group II membership, and allows the Assistant Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to continue group II retirement status based on prior service and group II membership.
III. Provides for the appointment of the Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for terms of 3 years.

The Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee recommends passage as amended (by a 3-2 vote) of HB 342, relative to reporting of compensation paid to retired members of the retirement system.  The committee combined HB 364 into this bill. AFT-NH is in support of the recommendation.

Likewise, AFT-NH is in support of defeating HB 364 relative to notice required concerning employment of a retired member of the New Hampshire retirement for it was combined with HB 342.

The Senate Education committee made the recommendation of ought to pass on HB 260. This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide voluntary services to a child who would otherwise be found to be a child in need of services under RSA 169.  This bill would do the following:

I. Expands the definition of a child in need of services under RSA 169-D, revises circumstances under which the court may order various services or placements, and gives the department discretion to offer voluntary services.
II. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to collect certain data regarding the CHINS program.
III. Provides for the suspension of voluntary services if appropriated funds will be insufficient to support voluntary services.
IV. Requires school board truancy policies to include certain information relative to student attendance.

AFT-NH is in support of the committee recommendation.

And lastly, we hope that the full Senate will finally vote on HB 187: relative to deliberative sessions in towns that have adopted official ballot voting. This bill was submitted by retired AFT-NH member Marjorie Porter. This bill provides that the dollar amount agreed to in a collective bargaining agreement between a public employer and an employee organization shall not be modified by the legislative body of the public employer and that amount is what the voters should vote on.

AFT-NH is in support of this bill and the committee’s recommendation of ought to pass; we believe that what is negotiated in good faith should go before the voters for a vote and not be sidelined by a few. We hope that the Senate will pass it as well.

FULL HOUSE VOTES ON MAY 22ND

AFT-NH supports the recommendation of defeat on SB 100, authorizing electronic payment of payroll.

AFT-NH member Rep. Douglas A Ley says it best:
“This bill authorizes employers to limit pay options to either direct deposit or issuance of digital payroll cards. It thereby reduces employee wage payment options, eliminating payment via a paper check. At present, nothing prevents employers from incentivizing payroll choice options and thereby encouraging employees to choose electronic methods over paper checks. Consequently, the majority prefer incentives and choice rather than mandate.

Finally, there were repeated concerns expressed before the committee regarding hidden and excessive fees tied to payroll card usage and the vulnerability of less digitally savvy groups to incur such fees imposed by “brand” cards such as Visa or MasterCard. As for small employers, their cost savings would likely be minimized with a changeover to payroll cards, as they will not be in as strong a position to negotiate lower costs with the companies issuing payroll cards. Therefore, on grounds of choice, incentive, and costs to employees, the majority supports ITL” (inexpedient to legislate—i.e., do not pass).

STATE BUDGET

The Senate will be holding executive sessions all week on HB 1: making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the State for fiscal years ending June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015, and on HB 2: relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures. They have till June 6th to act on these two bills. AFT-NH will continue to monitor this as it works its way through the Senate and Committee of Conference.

To review all the documents that have been discussed click here.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at lhainey@aft-nh.org.

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

UPCOMING HEARINGS FOR NEXT WEEK
Note the ones in red are priority bills for AFT-NH

MONDAY, MAY 20
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Forrester (VC), Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen. Larsen, Sen. Odell
10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION
TUESDAY, MAY 21

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Forrester (VC), Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen. Larsen, Sen. Odell
10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION
EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 27-FN, relative to monitoring by the Department of Education of programs for children with disabilities,
SB 48, relative to school performance and accountability and continued executives session and continued executive session on
SB 82, establishing a commission to identify strategies needed for developing and implementing a competency-based public education system,
SB 97, relative to high school equivalency and relative to illiteracy.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on retained HB 494, relative to the administration of glucagon injections for pupils.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

10:00 a.m. House in session

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Forrester (VC), Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen. Larsen, Sen. Odell
10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION


THURSDAY, MAY 23

10:00 a.m. Senate in session

FINANCE – (DIVISION III), Rooms 210-211, LOB
10:30 a.m. Public hearing on proposed amendment to SB 129-FN, relative to court-ordered placements in shelter care facilities and at the Sununu Youth Services Center, relative to the children in need of services (CHINS) program, and establishing a committee to study programs for children in need. The proposed amendment (2013-1655h) adds the House-passed language for the Children in Need of Services program as contained in HB 260 as amended by the House. Copies of the proposed amendment are available from the Sergeant-at-Arms office on the 3d floor of the State House.

FRIDAY, MAY 24

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
Sen. Morse (C), Sen. Forrester (VC), Sen. Bragdon, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen. Larsen, Sen. Odell
9:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION


WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

FINANCE, Rooms 210-211, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on
SB 129-FN, relative to court-ordered placements in shelter care facilities and at the Sununu Youth Services Center, relative to the children in need of services (CHINS) program, and establishing a committee to study programs for children in need.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

TASK FORCE ON WORK AND FAMILY (RSA 276-B:1), Room 207, LOB
1:15 p.m. Regular meeting.

NH House Super Committee Votes On SB 152 The Casino Gambling Bill. Statements by Gov Hassan and NHBTC Pres Joe Casey

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 15, 2013 - 5:25 pm | , ,
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Today the NH House Finance and Ways & Means Committee voted on the very controversial cansino gambling bill SB152. The vote 22-23 to ITL the bill.  In most cases the ITL is a vote to kill the bill.  The NH Legislature is still required to vote on the bill and this is good news for those of us who are pushing for this bill to pass.

The full house vote is expected to be as close as the committee vote and the bill could be changed on the floor.  Governor Hassan released this statement after the vote:

“I am extremely encouraged by the closeness of today’s committee vote. Even without members having the opportunity to vote on bipartisan amendments, the one-vote margin demonstrates the strong and growing support in the House of Representatives for SB 152.

“As the bill moves to the floor, I believe the full House will give a more complete consideration to this legislation and the proposed bipartisan amendments that were not voted on today. I am confident the House understands that the people of New Hampshire want to invest in the priorities needed to create jobs, strengthen our communities, and spur innovative economic growth: higher education, mental health, public safety, economic development, and other critical areas. And the people of New Hampshire strongly support funding our priorities through one highly regulated destination casino.

“I urge the full House to listen to the people we represent, thoughtfully consider the legislation and proposed changes, and vote in favor of moving forward with our own plan to build a stronger, more innovative New Hampshire.”

People overwhelmingly support the expanded gambling.  This job creation bill is long overdue and will significantly help the NH Building Trades who are starving for work since the beginning of the recession.

NH Building and Construction Trades Council President Joe Casey issued the following statement after today’s 23-22 vote in the Joint House Committee to review the casino gaming bill:

“Today the work of the special Joint House Committee on SB152 was hijacked by committee leadership, who employed a deceitful parliamentary trick to cut off debate on 16 amendments that would have improved the bill.

After weeks of dirty tricks by the anti-casino lobby, I was shocked to see committee Chair Mary Jane Wallner resort to the same kind of underhanded tactics we saw under former Speaker Bill O’Brien. I would never have expected this type of behavior from Representatives who have pledged to operate with fairness and transparency. This is a sad day for the New Hampshire House.

It’s clear from today’s razor-thin vote that SB152 would have seen a favorable outcome if a vote on amendments to improve the bill had been allowed.  Instead, Chairperson Wallner put her personal preference ahead of what’s best for the people of New Hampshire.

63% of Granite Staters support bringing expanded gaming to New Hampshire, and we will work hard to make sure their voices are heard on the House floor next week.

I call on Speaker Norelli to put aside her bias against this bill and pledge to have an open and fair process on the floor next week. If she refuses to put aside the tactics of Bill O’Brien, she should hand the gavel over to someone who will.”

We will have to see what happens when the full House meets to debate this bill in the coming weeks.

UPDATED: Casino Free NH Distorts The Truth To House Joint Committee

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 2, 2013 - 6:58 pm | , ,
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More dirty tricks by Anti-Gaming casino lobby: Casino Free NH distorts testimony of labor leaders to house joint committee.

Feldstein desperate attempts to mislead legislature is a deplorable, new low in NH politics

Concord — NH Building and Construction Trades Council President Joe Casey responded to the misleading May 1st press release of Casino Free NH:

“I am disgusted and deeply disturbed by Lew Feldstein and the anti-casino lobby’s attempts to distort and misrepresent my testimony and the testimony of Mark McKenzie before the House Joint Committee.

To misrepresent our words in attempting to advance their own propaganda is shameful, sleazy, and deplorable. It’s clear how desperate they are and how far they intend to go to mislead our elected officials. This is a new low that shows complete disrespect for organized labor and the thousands of hard working, middle class families we represent.

After decades of preaching ethics in our public discourse, it is sad and unfortunate that Mr. Feldstein has chosen to drive the discourse down to the gutter and resort to the tired tactics of Jim Rubens and the rest of the anti-casino lobby.

I demand an apology from Mr. Feldstein to all of the working families we represent and a commitment that he will refrain from such shameful tactics and embrace a dialogue based on facts and real circumstances. The people know the facts. That’s why they support a casino in New Hampshire by an overwhelming two-to-one margin. The people despise tactics that Mr. Feldstein and his lobby are pursuing. The people truly deserve better.

We remain 100% committed to SB152, are thankful for the leadership of Governor Hassan and bill sponsors, and hope that these leaders are further spared the engagement of the misleading tactics of the anti-casino lobby.”

UPDATE 5-3-13

AFL-CIO President Mark Mackenzie released the following statement today:

“I am disappointed that Casino Free NH chose to take my testimony before the Joint House Committee out of context. I stated very clearly in my testimony that NH AFL-CIO supports SB152 because it has a strong potential to create jobs for New Hampshire’s working men and women. I also testified that union jobs assure better work conditions and better impacts on the community, and I will continue to work to make sure that happens. I’m confident that the construction jobs created through this bill, and the Rockingham Park proposal, will be a benefit to the state of New Hampshire, and I remain supportive of SB152.”

Rep. Stella Tremblay An Embarrassment To New Hampshire And To All Of New England

  By Granite State Progress | April 23, 2013 - 10:09 pm | , ,
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NH Rep. Tremblay to Glenn Beck - Boston Marathon Inside Job

The past week has been very hard on many of us here in New Hampshire and throughout New England.  The Boston Marathon is a significant event for many Granite Staters.  Some run the marathon, some go to watch, others enjoy the day off from work.  For the hard-working Boston Police, Fire and EMS Departments, this week has been one that they will never forget.

Over the last week, thousands have showed their support for the hard work of all the Boston area first responders.  Even before the bombing, hundreds of Boston area first responders were working on Patriots Day as part of the annual Boston Marathon.  As the first bomb went off, police and firefighters (and many citizens) ran into the blast area to help the wounded.

Those first responders worked from 1:00 am on Friday morning – when the hunt for the two bombers erupted in a fierce firefight – through until late in the evening when the younger brother was eventually captured in Watertown.

The dedication of these public employees has been commended over the past week with many Facebook and Twitter images with the tag #BostonStrong.

This is what disturbs me: that after all the hard work and dedication from the public employees of all the local police departments, the FBI and Homeland Security, one New Hampshire State Rep sends out a Facebook post that the Boston bombing was a Government Black Op terrorist attack.

NH Rep. Tremblay to Glenn Beck - Boston Marathon Inside Job

 

Zandra Rice-Hawkins from Granite State Progress summed up the bucket full of crazy that is Rep. Tremblay:

“Rep. Tremblay continues to embarrass herself and her constituents with her extreme beliefs. Her behavior is unbecoming of an elected official in New Hampshire, and should be quickly condemned by her colleagues and party leadership. Rep. Tremblay has a long history of disturbing statements and we know from the past that her extreme ideologies guide her behavior in the State House.”

“Rep. Tremblay is not alone among conservatives in New Hampshire who are using these tragedies to create conspiracy theories or score political points. The blog Granite Grok recently posted a message about the Boston Marathon bombing and the West, Texas incident encouraging readers to use the phrase ‘Obomba’. Republican political leaders who continue to participate in GraniteGrok activities despite these reprehensible remarks should state publicly why they do so.”

With actions like this from our state reps, I am embarrassed to say that I am from New Hampshire.  It seems that every week the NH Republican Party is in the national news and not in a good way.

Then I think back to the proud Boston public employees who were given a standing ovation by the citizens of Watertown after a 16-hour lockdown after they caught Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. I also think of how quickly all of the Granite State came together to support our brothers and sisters to the south.  Then I am filled with a great sense of togetherness.  All I can say is, thank God Rep Stella Tremblay is not my rep.

 

 

4-22-13 AFT-NH Legislative Update From President Laura Hainey

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 22, 2013 - 9:52 am | , , ,
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IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Given the week we just had, take a moment to thank all our first responders who keep us safe and help those in need.  Please stay safe!  And please, keep in your thoughts and prayers those who lost their lives or were injured in the tragic events of this past week.

EVENTS LIKE THIS CAN BE TRAUMATIC TO CHILDREN.

Here are free resources from Share My Lesson to help children cope with traumatic events. Schools are the most important places in a community for an educator or student to receive support when a crisis occurs. Schools provide a familiar environment where the many needs of grieving students and faculty can be met in one place. Administrators and educators need to be prepared to deal with any crisis that might arise; such preparation will better equip them to respond to students’ emotional needs in the wake of a crisis.

FULL SENATE VOTES TAKEN ON APRIL 18TH

The Senate tabled HB 370,  the repeal of the education tax credits, on Thursday. We might have lost this one but the fight is not over. Within the budget there is no funding for the education tax credit program.  Both HB 1 and HB 2: the state budget bills, are still being worked on in the Senate and we will need to monitor the progress to see if the voucher money is put back into the budget.

2014-2015 STATE BUDGET

The Senate is working its way through putting together their version of the State budget for the next two years. Much of their time has been spent hearing from Department Commissioners on the needs of their departments. From this they will start putting together final proposals for the full Senate to vote on. The Senate has till June 6th to take this vote. We do know that just like in other years, the budget bills (HB 1 and HB 2) will be sent to a Committee Of Conference. This is where members for the House and Senate will hash out a deal. They will have till June 20th to sign  off on the final deal and both chambers will have till June 26th to vote on the Committee’s report. AFT-NH will continue to monitor this as it works its way through the Senate and Committee of Conference.

UPCOMING FULL HOUSE VOTES ON APRIL 24TH

The House will be voting on SB 132, establishing a committee to study police special details. The House Executive Departments and Administration committee made the recommendation of inexpedient to legislate by a vote of 14 to 3. AFT-NH is in support of this recommendation and asks that all House member vote in support of this recommendation.

Rep. Dianne E Schuett said it best: “This bill proposed to study the efficacy of police special details, particularly at traffic construction sites. The committee was presented with a recent department of transportation study delineating use of police details versus flag persons at state construction sites. The committee also believed that decisions on whether to employ police or flag persons on municipal construction sites should be left to local control. Therefore, the committee could see no need for this study.”

HEARING HELD THIS PAST WEEK

The House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs held a hearing on SB 166: relative to critical incident stress management and crisis intervention services. This bill establishes that information divulged during critical incident stress management and crisis intervention services is confidential, with limited exceptions specified in the bill. AFT-NH supports the passage of this bill. We feel it is important that we do something for our first responders to support and help them thought difficulty times.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at lhainey@aft-nh.org or call 603-661-7293.

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

UPCOMING HEARINGS FOR NEXT WEEK
Note the ones in red are priority bills for AFT-NH

MONDAY, APRIL 22

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE
9:00 a.m. Public Employee Labor Relations Board

TUESDAY, APRIL 23

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206, LOB
10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on SB 129-FN, relative to court-ordered placements in shelter care facilities and at the Sununu Youth Services Center, relative to the children in need of services (CHINS) program, and establishing a committee to study programs for children in need.

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:30 a.m. SB 18, conferring degree-granting authority to the American University of Madaba.
11:00 a.m. SB 27-FN, relative to monitoring by the Department of Education of programs for children with disabilities.
1:15 p.m. SB 82, establishing a commission to identify strategies needed for developing and implementing a competency-based public education system.
2:00 p.m. SB 48, relative to school performance and accountability.
2:30 p.m. SB 97, relative to high school equivalency and relative to illiteracy.

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on SB 166, relative to critical incident stress management and crisis intervention services,

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB
11:00 a.m. SB 100, authorizing electronic payment of payroll.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB
9:30 a.m. HB 178-FN-L, relative to public employer collective bargaining agreements.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206, LOB
1:00 p.m. Or one hour after the House session ends, executive session on SB 129-FN, relative to court ordered placements in shelter care facilities and at the Sununu Youth Services Center, relative to the children in need of services (CHINS) program, and establishing a committee to study programs for children in need.

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 303, LOB (Please note room change.)
1:00 p.m. Or after the end of the House session, executive session on
SB 100, authorizing electronic payment of payroll.

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
9:40 a.m. HB 433, relative to procedures for juvenile delinquency petitions filed by a school district or school official.

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on
SB 134-FN, relative to the division of higher education and the higher education commission,
SB 162-FN, repealing the student tuition guaranty fund and making provisions for the disbursement of remaining funds, and relative to the membership of the higher education commission.

THURSDAY, MAY 2

EDUCATION, Room 207, LOB
10:00 a.m. Subcommittee work session on retained HB 435-FN, relative to funding for chartered public school pupils, HB 243, relative to the board of trustees of a chartered public school, HB 424- FN, relative to review of chartered public school applications by the state board of education.

Advocacy Group Pushes For NH Constitutional Change To Overturn Citizens United

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 18, 2013 - 3:00 pm |
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Democracy in Motion Speaking Tour Comes to New Hampshire to Rally Support for Constitutional Amendment Against Money in Politics

After the New Hampshire State House Passes a Resolution to Overturn Citizens United, Citizens Organize to Demand That Senate Does Same

The “Democracy in Motion” tour featuring the Coalition for Open Democracy and Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign will visit libraries, churches, parks, law offices and living rooms in nine towns in New Hampshire – New London, Plymouth, Hooksett, Tamworth, Derry, Hanover, Manchester, Concord and Nashua – to mobilize support for a constitutional amendment that would overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s disastrous 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. At public forums in the first six towns, a rally in Manchester, a private event at a retirement home in Nashua, and a breakfast for state senators in Concord, organizers will meet with community members and provide guidance to help pass a state resolution protesting the court’s decision, which disregarded a hundred years of legal precedents and made money the corporate equivalent of free speech.

On March 20, in a widely applauded move, the New Hampshire House of Representatives, with bipartisan support, and in a 189-139 vote, passed a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. The bill, House Concurrent Resolution 2, calls on Congress to adopt a constitutional amendment declaring that corporations and other artificial entities are not people with constitutional rights, and that the expenditure of corporate money to influence the electoral process is no longer a form of constitutionally protected speech.

The Democracy in Motion speaking tour will rally local support for a similar resolution to pass in the New Hampshire Senate. Should the effort succeed, New Hampshire will become the 13th state to issue a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.

Get more information about the tour at: http://www.democracyisforpeople.org/democracy_in_motion_nh.

New London
When: 10 a.m., Saturday, April 20
Where: New London House Party, 142 Job Seamans Acres, New London
Who: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer for the Democracy Is For People campaign
Jane Armstrong, treasurer for the Coalition for Open Democracy

Plymouth (two events)
When: 2 p.m., Saturday, April 20
Where: Peace Public Library, 1 Russell St., Plymouth
Who: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer for the Democracy Is For People campaign
Olivia Zink, program director for the Coalition for Open Democracy

When: 5 p.m., Saturday, April 20
Where: The Hebert Room, Hooksett Library, 31 Mount Saint Mary’s Way, Hooksett
Who: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer for the Democracy Is For People campaign
Olivia Zink, program director for the Coalition for Open Democracy

Tamworth
When: 12 p.m., Sunday, April 21
Where: Tamworth Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 30 Tamworth Road, Tamworth
Who: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer for the Democracy Is For People campaign
New Hampshire State Representative Bob Perry
Dick Pollock, organizer for the Coalition for Open Democracy

Derry
When: 4 p.m., Sunday, April 21
Where: Milan Legal, 78 West Broadway, Derry
Who: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer for the Democracy Is For People campaign
Olivia Zink, program director for the Coalition for Open Democracy

Hanover
When: 4 p.m., Monday, April 22
Where: Dartmouth College, Room 3 of the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College, 2 Webster Ave, Hanover
Who: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer for the Democracy Is For People campaign
Contact Mason.L.Cole.13@dartmouth.edu for more details on this event.

Manchester
When: 7 p.m., Monday, April 22
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 889 Elm St, Manchester
or in case of rain, the Manchester Main Library, 405 Pine St., Manchester
Who: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, senior organizer for the Democracy Is For People campaign
Olivia Zink, program director for the Coalition for Open Democracy
Hosted by New Hampshire State Representative Jeremy Dobson

This event will have free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

4-15-13 AFT-NH Legislative Update By President Laura Hainey

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 15, 2013 - 8:55 am | , , ,
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FULL SENATE VOTES ON APRIL 18TH

On the Senate consent calendar they will cast one vote for 23 bills if none are removed. One of these bills is HB 187, relative to cost items in negotiated agreements, with a 5-0 committee recommendation of ‘Ought To Pass.’  Remember this bill was submitted by retired AFT-NH member Marjorie Porter. This bill provides that the dollar amount agreed to in a collective bargaining agreement between a public employer and an employee organization shall not be modified by the legislative body of the public employer and that the agreed-upon amount is what the voters should vote on.

AFT-NH supports this bill; we believe that what is negotiated in good faith should go before the voters for a vote and not be sidelined by a few. We encourage the full Senate to pass this bill.

The Senate will be debating and voting on HB 370, repealing the education tax credit program. The Senate Health, Education & Human Services made the recommendation to defeat this bill by a 3 to 2 vote. AFT-NH does not support this recommendation and advocates that this recommendation be overturned and a recommendation of ‘Ought To Pass’ be made and supported.

If you have not taken action there is still time by clicking here. This tax credit program initiated in 2012 is an ill-disguised attempt to begin privatizing and dismantling our public education system in NH while weakening our good schools. We are justly proud of our schools in NH and these “vouchers” disguised as tax-credits will only harm public education.

HEARINGS THIS PAST WEEK

This past week the Senate Executive Departments and Administration, held a hearing on HB 364, relative to providing required notice concerning limitations on part-time employment for any retired member of the New Hampshire retirement system.  AFT-NH supports the passage of this bill.  HB364 shares the responsibility of understanding the rules and regulations for part-time work between the NH Retirement System, the employees, and the employers. This bill does not hold employers liable for employees who violate the regulations; all it asks of them is to provide written notice so that both they and their employees understand the limitations.

The House Executive Departments And Administration held a hearing on SB 132, establishing a committee to study police special details.  The charge of this committee is to study the use and efficacy of police special details, and alternatives which may be available to towns, cities, and the state. AFT-NH spoke in opposition to this bill. The NH Department of Transportation has already completed a study on this topic; click here to read the full report. AFT-NH believes this bill is unnecessary and could interfere with what has been negotiated at the local level. These discussions should happen at the local level with all stakeholders at the table.

SENATE COMMITTEE TOOK NO ACTION ON HB 142

The Senate Health, Education & Human Services still yet to make a recommendation on HB 142: relative to teacher evaluation systems. We have asked the Committee to keep this bill as is.  We especially do not want the Committee to follow the recommendation from the School Board Association, which wants to delete “support system” and make themselves the only ones whose approval is needed to adopt the system—thus leaving out the voice of the teachers.

As we have said many times, the best evaluation system is devised when each district works with all stakeholders as they develop, implement and modify an evaluation system which will meet the needs of the children of the community and is fair to our teachers. When something is imposed it is usually not well-received.

UPCOMING HEARINGS

On Tuesday, April 16th the Senate Health, Education and Human Services Committee will be hearing testimony on HB 260. This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide voluntary services to a child who would otherwise be found to be a child in need of services under RSA 169-D. For more background information on this click here.

AFT-NH is supporting the efforts of the New Hampshire Child Alliance Network and ask the committee to make the recommendation of ‘Ought To Pass.’

This coming Tuesday, April 23rd the House Labor committee will hold a hearing on SB 100: AN ACT authorizing electronic payment of payroll. This bill will affect all public employees in New Hampshire. This bill will do the following:

  • Deletes the requirement that an employer who pays wages by electronic fund transfer offer employees the option of being paid by check.
  • Permits an employer to pay wages with a payroll card after offering employees the option of being paid by direct deposit.

AFT-NH is opposed to this bill.  We understand that many employees do receive their paycheck by direct deposit but there are many who prefer the paper check and they should still have this option.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at lhainey@aft-nh.org.

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

UPCOMING HEARINGS
MONDAY, APRIL 15

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY PRESENTATIONS ON THE BUDGET AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE
1:00 p.m. N.H. Retirement System.

STATE RETIREE HEALTH PLAN COMMISSION (RSA 100-A:56), Room 302, LOB
1:00 p.m. Organizational meeting.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 103, LOB
9:30 a.m. HB 260-FN, relative to the children in need of services (CHINS) program.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206, LOB
10:00 a.m. SB 129-FN, relative to court-ordered placements in shelter care facilities and at the Sununu Youth Services Center, relative to the children in need of services (CHINS) program, and establishing a committee to study programs for children in need.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB
1:30 p.m. Executive session on
SB 132-FN, establishing a committee to study police special details.

JOINT COMMITTEE OF FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS, Representatives Hall
11:00 a.m. Executive session on
SB 44, relative to the disposal of controlled drugs by law enforcement officers.

LONG-RANGE CAPITAL PLANNING AND UTILIZATION (RSA 17-M), Room 201, LOB
2:00 p.m. Special meeting – Community College System of NH.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB
1:00 p.m. Executive session on SB 2, relative to the calculation of the local tax cap.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
3:00 p.m. SB 166, relative to critical incident stress management and crisis intervention services.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

10:00 A.M. SENATE SESSION

TUESDAY, APRIL 23

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205, LOB
10:00 a.m. Executive session on
SB 166, relative to critical incident stress management and crisis intervention services.

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB
11:00 a.m. SB 100, authorizing electronic payment of payroll.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

Please join a diverse selection of NH’s leading labor, environmental, social and citizen advocacy organizations on Wednesday, April 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the State House Cafeteria for a Legislative Breakfast Briefing. Staff and key leaders will be on hand to discuss issue priorities and legislative briefings on cross-over bills. A light breakfast and drinks will be served.

10:00 a.m. House Session

 

4-7-13 A Legislative Update From AFT-NH President Laura Hainey

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 7, 2013 - 3:38 pm | , ,
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aft sqaure

STATE BUDGET

We have made it to “crossover,” when bills from one legislative chamber must pass to the other chamber.  This now means both the House and Senate have till the end of June to finish up business. This week the House completed work on their version of the upcoming State budget. They worked with Governor Hassan’s proposed State budget, but did make a few changes to it.  The biggest is the House did not put gaming revenues into the budget but did increase the gas tax and cigarette tax. AFT-NH is happy to report that the House had the following in its budget:

  • Fully funds existing education funding—$1.9 billion over the biennium
  • Fully funds projection for approved Charter school—there is no new money for new charter schools.
  • Increases catastrophic  aid (special education) $2 million over current.
  • School building aid of $88 million –funds current approved projects.
  • Increase tuition/transportation $1 million over current level.
  • Restores $9.5 million to total fund “children in need of services.”
  • Repeals the education tax credit program.

There has been a lot of talk about funding charter schools but if public schools have to live within a budgeted amount then so should charter schools. They should not be given an endless pool of money.  WE DON’T HAVE IT, SO WHY SHOULD THEY?  

To read more on the House budget click here.

AFT-NH will continue to monitor legislative activity as the Senate begins their work on the State budget.

OTHER HAPPENINGS

The Senate Health, Education & Human Services Committee will be making recommendations Tuesday, April 9th on HB 142: relative to teacher evaluation systems. We have asked the Committee to keep this bill as is.  We especially do not want the Committee to follow the recommendation from the School Board Association, which wants to delete “support system” and want to be the only ones to adopt the system—thus leaving out the voice of the teachers.

As we have said many times, the best evaluation system is devised when each district works with all stakeholders as they develop, implement and modify an evaluation system which will meet the needs of the children of the community and is fair to our teachers. When something is imposed it is usually not well-received.

The Committee will also be making a recommendation on HB 370 repealing the education tax credit program. AFT-NH asks that the committee make the recommendation of ought to pass for the following reasons:

  • This program is unconstitutional. New Hampshire’s Constitution is clear—state money shall not be used to fund religious instruction (“no person shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support of the schools of any sect or denomination.”– Article 6, NH Constitution).
  • There is also much to be concerned about regarding the group that will be overseeing this program.
  • There is no oversight and the only accountability is a parent survey.
  • New Hampshire cannot afford to divert scarce resources to private and religious schools as well as home-schoolers.
  • This is just bad policy.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at lhainey@aft-nh.org

In Solidarity,
Laura Hainey
AFT-NH President

UPCOMING HEARINGS FOR NEXT WEEK
Note the ones in red are priority bills for AFT-NH


MONDAY, APRIL 8

FINANCE, Room 103, SH
10:00 a.m. House Finance Division Chairs’ presentation on Budget to Senate Finance Committee.

1:00 p.m. Office of Legislative Budget Assistant presents Budget passed by the House to Senate Finance Committee.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 103, LOB
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW
10:15 a.m. HB 142 –teacher evaluations and support system,
HB 370 repeal of the education tax credits.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301, LOB
10:15 a.m. SB 2, relative to the calculation of the local tax cap.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 100, SH
9:20 a.m. HB 364, relative to notice required concerning employment of a retired member of the New Hampshire retirement system of the limitations on part-time employment.

9:40 a.m. HB 591, relative to an abusive work environment and the health and safety of public employees.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306, LOB
2:00 p.m. SB 132-FN, establishing a committee to study police special details.

MONDAY, APRIL 15

STATE RETIREE HEALTH PLAN COMMISSION (RSA 100-A:56), Room 302, LOB
1:00 p.m. Organizational meeting.

Private Prison Off the Table in NH a post by Arnie Alpert (NH-AFSC)

  By New Hampshire Labor News | April 3, 2013 - 7:36 pm |
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american friends service committee logo (AFSC)

New Hampshire will not privatize its prisons, at least not in the near future.  That’s the decision announced by the state today with the release of a long-awaited analysis of bids submitted by four private firms in response to a 2011 Request for Proposals from the state. 

The state’s consultant, MGT of America, found that none of the bids met the requirements spelled out in the RFP.  All of them “had deficiencies from an operational standpoint.”

[Click here for the report from MGT of America.]

Specifically, according to a parallel report released by the Departments of Corrections and Administrative Services, “all were non-compliant with meeting the Department of Corrections’ legal obligations.”

“More specifically, the proposals exhibited a lack of understanding of the overarching legal requirements placed upon the DOC relating to the court orders, consent decrees and settlements which, in large part, dictate the administration and operation of their correctional facilities and attendant services to the inmate populations,” the state agencies said. 

[Click here for the report from the state agencies.]

The agencies concluded, “The immediate next step, taken in conjunction with the release of this report, is the formal cancellation of the solicitation process. This decision, based upon the detail provided above, is made in the best interests of the State.”

That the private industry leaders were not able to explain how they would actually meet the state’s legal obligations should be seen as evidence that these companies can’t be trusted to operate prisons anywhere. 

MGT also reported that the staff compensation levels built into the privatization proposals was “one-half of the current compensation currently paid to similar positions in the state.”

“The state should be concerned that this significantly lower wage may make it difficult to maintain a trained and experienced staff. This could result in high turnover and ultimately impact the safety and security of the correctional facilities,” MGT added.

“In prior MGT studies of private correctional facility operations,” the report   elaborated, “we have found private correctional facilities with annual staff turnover rates of 42 percent compared to 13.3 percent for nearby public facilities. High turnover, which can result from non-competitive compensation levels, produces a chronically inexperienced work force with direct implications for the integrity of facility security and safety. Low compensation levels can also make staff recruitment more difficult, resulting in staff vacancies and reliance on overtime, which again has a negative impact upon facility security.”

The state’s report leaves open the possibility that the state would entertain privatization as an option at some point in the future.  That would be a huge mistake.  Instead, the legislature should pass HB 443, a bill that blocks the state from considering privatization.  This measure has already passed the NH House and comes before the Senate Finance Committee next Tuesday. 

(Reposted from InZane Times)

Two of NH State Reps Make ‘MARCH BADNESS’ Tournament

  By Granite State Progress | April 1, 2013 - 7:06 pm | , ,
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Warden Trombley

No Joke: NH State Reps Mark Warden & Stella Tremblay Qualify As #2 Seed in National ‘March Badness’ Tournament

Warden TrombleyProgressNow Selection Committee Gives High Ranking to Granite State Progress Nominees for 2013 March Badness & Not-So-Sweet 16 Radical Right-Wingers Bracket

CONCORD, NH – NH State Representatives Mark Warden (R-Goffstown) and Stella Tremblay (R-Auburn) have been jointly selected as the #2 seed in a national NCAA tournament-themed contest to determine who is the most “outrageous, radical, out of touch right-winger” of the past year. The contest, available at MarchBadness.org, is sponsored by Granite State Progress’ national partner, Progress Now, a network of 21 state-based progressive groups specializing in research, communications, rapid response and online organizing.

Over the weekend and until midnight today, members of the sister organizations and the public can vote on whether to send New Hampshire’s Warden and Tremblay to the “Crazy 8” or to select North Carolina State Representative Tim Moffitt (#15). The #1 seed is Minnesota’s Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS YEAR’S FULL BRACKET

“We’re confident that the extreme and outrageous behavior of State Representatives Stella Tremblay and Mark Warden will stand out among the competition,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “These two already have a habit of being in the national spotlight and embarrassing our state. New Hampshire voters sent a strong message in November that it was time to restore balance and common sense, but folks like Tremblay and Warden just can’t help themselves. While the tournament pokes fun, the potential damage that these extreme personalities can do is real.”

Granite State Progress’ tournament entry form included video of Rep. Tremblay discussing the “original thirteenth amendment” in which she asserts President Woodrow Wilson “went through all the education material” about the country’s “true history” and “wiped” it out; and video of Rep. Warden saying that “a lot of people like being in abusive relationships”.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS YEAR’S BRACKET OR VOTE

Play-Offs Schedule:

Not-So-Sweet 16: Friday, March 29-Monday, April 1

Crazy 8: Tuesday, April 2-Thursday, April 4

Infamous 4 – Friday, April 5-Sunday, April 7

Championship – Monday, April 8

Champion crowned Tuesday, April 9

Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Granite State Progress works as a communications hub for the progressive community to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems. Press releases and other information available online at www.GraniteStateProgress.org.