Change in House rules

Special sessions have occurred in the past. In 1989 a session was called to deal with the bankruptcy of PSNH. There were two examples which occurred during my tenure when bills were passed to deal with changes to the Federal Medicare/Medicad program, and to deal with Low Income Fuel Assistance. These two sessions were coordinated with the minority and both parties in agreement.

This session was certainly not one where all parties were working together. The Democrats, insistent on erasing the budget deficit prior to the end of the fiscal year were going to use borrowing to close the gap. The whirlwind started at 10 .m. when the committee met to recommend rules, the bill was received after 1 p.m. during our regular session, and we started deliberation at 7 p.m. A passionate plea was made to the House by the Deputy Republican to accept an amendment to require the bill go through an expedited committee process. This was narrowly rejected. All other attempts to divide the question, to use the “Rainy Day” fund instead of borrowing, and to adjourn were also rejected. This Democratic majority was going to have their way, and they prevailed. Those with twenty plus years experience say they have never seen such an abuse during their tenure in the legislature.

This is likely the start of a slippery slope—there will be future attempts to penalize the other side. We are governed by rules, when the rules were set aside we deteriorate, our society breaks down. As we enter the filing period it is important for us to recruit good candidates to re-take the House and restore our rules, tradition, and process

Pamela G. Price

NH Representative

 Hillsborough Dist 26, Nashua

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