In response to a series of Republican actions Democrats view as hostile toward dissenting opinions, deputy House minority leader Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord) recently called on Republican leaders to sign an “Open Government Pledge.” 

In an e-mail released Jan. 17, Wallner urged House Speaker Bill O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon), majority leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem), the entire Republican leadership team and all House Committee chairs to sign the pledge. 

Wallner said the first few weeks of sessions under the new Republican-dominated state legislature have included “a disturbing pattern aimed at stifling dissent, debate and the free exchange of ideas and information.”

As examples, she pointed to recent Republican efforts to remove Democratic Rep. Mike Brunelle, begin removal proceedings against Attorney General Michael Delaney, establish a new committee aimed at seeking the removal of judges and other public officials, and file legislation aimed at limiting the right of active military members to vote. She also cited an incident in which Rep. John Reagan (R-Deerfield) refused to allow public testimony at a public hearing on bedbugs.

“The legislature can’t make good public policy—and New Hampshire can’t have a strong democracy—if public officials and the public are intimidated from presenting facts, ideas, or their own opinions,” Wallner said.

The pledge reads as follows: “Whereas, Free unfettered debate is essential to democracy; and Whereas, The legislature needs information and input from all New Hampshire citizens to make sound public policy decisions; and Whereas, Public officials, whether appointed or elected, should be encouraged to share relevant facts, precedents and opinions with the New Hampshire legislature in order to foster sound public policy; Therefore, we the undersigned, make the following pledge to foster Open Government in New Hampshire: Public hearings will be properly noticed, and New Hampshire citizens will be welcomed to testify and listened to with respect; Members of the legislature will not threaten to remove appointed public officials for offering facts, ideas and/or opinions; Members of the legislature will not attempt to remove other elected members of the General Court simply for offering a different viewpoint; Members of the legislature will not attempt to remove judges or other officials because of the substance of their opinions.”