Epilogue for an election
New Hampshire’s new legislature has begun its work for 2011, assessing hundreds of proposed bills and examining myriad issues as they prepare to craft a new biennial budget. With Republicans gaining a majority in the 400-member House of Representatives and 24-member Senate, dozens upon dozens of new faces have displaced past legislators, many of whom spent years serving their constituents.
But many of the Democrats who were ousted in the election last November intend to remain active in politics, and their peers say their past accomplishments should not be forgotten. On Friday, Jan. 21, an Appreciation Party will be held at the Gas Light Co. in Portsmouth to honor former U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, as well as state Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, Executive Councilor Bev Hollingworth and others who recently left office. The Wire reached out and asked them to reflect on their time in Concord and look ahead to what they’ll do now.
Maggie Hassan of Exeter
(lost her seat in the N.H. Senate to opponent Russell Prescott)
How long did you serve in the N.H. Legislature? Six years
What do you consider your proudest accomplishment? We made a lot of progress for working families and for the business community, and it was a team effort. Among the bills we passed was the increase in minimum wage, creation of the research and development tax credit, reinstatement of the job training grants, the NH Working program and numerous changes to our laws governing health insurance that make insurance companies more accountable, provide protections to health care consumers, and banned the practice of discriminating against businesses with sick or injured workers. We passed comprehensive environmental legislation for our shoreland and to reduce carbon emissions and pass climate change. We also passed critical legislation to begin addressing health care costs. On the education front, we developed a constitutional funding formula for education, made public kindergarten available for every 5-year-old in the state, reduced the drop-out rate significantly, increased funding for community colleges, and updated critical anti-bullying legislation. I was also grateful for the opportunity to chair the Great Bay Estuary Commission and the resulting legislation I sponsored to create the Southeast Watershed Alliance to protect our natural resources and drinking water. Also, on a more local level, we found a way to fund significant improvements to Hampton Beach, helped protect automobile dealers in a changing economy through the Auto Dealers’ Bill of Rights, and passed SB5 that prohibits our bordering states from forcing N.H. businesses to collect the bordering state’s sales tax.
What do you consider your greatest regret or missed opportunity? We missed an opportunity to require campaign funding disclosures by corporations after the Citizens United case was decided in the winter of 2010; a bill passed the Senate but failed in the House. And I wish we had had more of an opportunity to talk together as a state about the need to reduce health care costs and make the financing of health care more transparent.
What was the most challenging aspect of serving in the N.H. House/Senate? Finding enough time to talk to constituents, colleagues, and stakeholders to build consensus about initiatives, especially during an economic crisis where constantly changing conditions make it necessary to introduce new initiatives or changes to proposals with very little lead time. The schedule in the Senate in particular is very challenging because there are only 24 senators and very limited staffing.
What was the most rewarding aspect? Regular people call or come to talk to you or show up at hearings and ask you to help them, make proposals for improving the state, or just tell you what their lives are like. When average citizens take time to participate in the process, you are reminded that N.H. is the best place in the world, and our democracy is remarkable.
Do you think the state is dramatically different now than when you first took office? I think the recession has taken its toll on us, but I don’t think the character of the state has changed—N.H. people are still vigorous and pragmatic participants in their communities and civic life, still care for and help their neighbors with a volunteer spirit second to none, and still value their freedom and independence above all.
What should be the new Legislature’s top priorities? Investing in job creation, creating a balanced budget for the next biennium while still finding ways to invest in the things that will help us grow our economy and reduce unemployment, and prevent downshifting to local property taxpayers.
What are your plans now? Not sure yet. It’s my youngest child’s last year at home before college, so I’m enjoying time with her.
Will you remain involved in state politics? Yes.
Do you expect to run for political office again some day? Don’t know.
Bev Hollingworth of Hampton
(lost her seat on the Executive Council to opponent Christopher Sununu)
How long did you serve? Served five terms in the House of Representatives, five terms in the Senate (one as Senate president), two terms as Executive Councilor
What do you consider your proudest accomplishment? Modeling the first in the nation vaccine program that I believe has been part of the reason we in New Hampshire are one of the healthiest states in the nation; patient bill of rights; terminal care; HMO accountability; requiring all public funded schools to adhere to Title 9; medication bridge program with free prescription drugs for those who need services; Healthy Kids program; unique college savings plan, and many others.
What do you consider your greatest regret or missed opportunity? The greatest regret is that we still have not funded the education of New Hampshire children.
What was the most challenging aspect of serving in the N.H. House/Senate? Presiding over the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Brock and making the process open and transparent for the public. I’m proud of the civility of the Senate during the most difficult times.
What was the most rewarding aspect? The senators of both parties working together to find solutions in the best interest of the people of this state.
Do you think the state is dramatically different now than when you first took office? Yes.
What should be the new Legislature’s top priorities? As always, what is in the best interest of the people of this state: education, environment, and economic health.
What are your plans now? Have not made plans as of yet.
Will you remain involved in state politics? Of course, everyone has a duty to be involved in state, local and federal government. That is the only way democracy can work.
Do you expect to run for political office again some day? Perhaps.
Deanna Rollo of Somersworth
(lost her seat in the N.H. House)
How long did you serve? Three terms (six years).
What do you consider your proudest accomplishment? I think my proudest accomplishment was being part of the Democratic Party that turned this state into the place it is today. We are the best place to raise a family, the safest place in the nation, etc. We passed a responsible budget that protected our most valuable citizens. We were able to define, cost, and develop a system of accountability for a constitutionally adequate education, as mandated by the Supreme Court. We passed legislation to protect our children from bullying. We set up a system that allows foster children an opportunity to apply for a tuition grant to attend our state colleges.
What do you consider your greatest regret or missed opportunity? I really have no regrets. I learned very early that you have to pick your battles, who you can trust and who you can’t trust. Knowledge was my best weapon, and the art of compromise. I also learned that there is always room for improvement.
What was the most challenging aspect of serving in the N.H. House/Senate? The most challenging aspect of serving as a member of the House was educating myself on the issues. I spent a great deal of time attending hearings and researching bills. I understood every vote I cast would have an effect on someone’s life and wanted to make sure I had the information necessary to vote on behalf of the people who elected me.
What was the most rewarding aspect? The most rewarding aspect was helping my constituents resolve issues. Many times, people become overwhelmed with trying to sort through the different departments and state agencies, and they become frustrated with the process. I found it very rewarding to be able to help them.
Do you think the state is dramatically different now than when you first took office? I think the state has changed and definitely for the better. We are now the safest place in the U.S. to raise a family, we have one of the lowest unemployment rates, and every child in N.H. has the opportunity to attend kindergarten. We updated the state law against bullying to protect our children, including a new definition for cyber bulling through electronic devices, including telephones, cellular phones, computer pages, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging and web sites.
What should be the new Legislature’s top priorities? The top priorities for the new Legislature should be to continue to promote jobs in our state, ones that pay a living wage with benefits for the employees and their families. Even though we have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., we still have many citizens that are unemployed or underemployed. Promoting jobs is the only way our state will continue to grow. They should also be working on preparing a responsible balanced budget. And continue the work of the past four years to protect our children and our elderly.
What are your plans now? My plans are to spend more time with my family, do a lot more traveling, and to catch up with old friends.
Will you remain involved in state politics? I will remain involved with state politics. I spent a lot of time helping to make this state a better place to live and I refuse to sit back and let it all evaporate.
Do you expect to run for political office again some day? I have no plans at this time to run for office again. I really love having my life back.
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