The following was sent to all House Republicans!
House Republicans,
There is one thing that is clear this year, and it’s that Republicans are winning.
We are sticking to those promises that we campaigned on in 2020, and we are showing voters that we can be trusted with their tax dollars, and trusted to always work in their best interest.
Not since 2011 has the legislature proposed a reduction in General and Education Trust Fund spending. This year Republicans stuck together and the House was able to pass a budget that spent 1.4% less than the previous biennium’s enacted budget.
We were able to provide much needed funding for the Highway Fund, funding for local schools, invest in our state’s continued efforts to improve our infrastructure, ensure adequate public safety, and reorganize state government all while spending LESS. When we talk about fiscal responsibility, we should mean it. While other budgets have claimed to be fiscally responsible, we can all agree that consistently increasing spending is not responsible. This year we were able to deliver, it wasn’t just a talking point.
We also increased the Rainy Day Fund to its highest total in the State’s history. If this last year proved anything, it’s that Democrats consistently raiding the Rainy Day Fund could put us in a perilous situation should the state see an unanticipated decline in revenue.
But, House Republicans are consistently sticking together on many core Republican values, not only fiscal responsibility. Last week 99% of Republicans stuck together to pass excellent legislation ensuring that our Second Amendment rights remain protected and expanded in this state, like HB195, inserting an exception to the crime of reckless conduct for the display of a firearm; HB307, providing state preemption of the regulation of firearms, ammunition, ammunition components, knives, and firearms components and accessories; HB334, creating an exception to the prohibition on carrying a loaded firearm on an OHRV or snowmobile. New Hampshire is the safest state in the nation, and we must continue to protect the rights of law-abiding individuals to protect themselves, their families, and their property.
Democrats would have you believe that our voting laws disenfranchise voters and consistently attempt to repeal our common sense voting laws. However this last election caused Americans’ confidence in the election process to plummet. Republicans are continuing to lead the effort in ensuring New Hampshire maintains its reputation for clean and fair elections.
By passing bills like SB43, authorizing an audit of the Windham election; HB285, modifying the procedures for ongoing verification of the information contained in voter checklists; HB291, requiring that town and city clerks shall make absentee ballot voter lists available for public inspection; HB523 requiring voters who register to vote by using a qualified voter affidavit or sworn statement on the election day registration form instead of other approved identification to have their photograph taken at the time of registration, we are taking important steps to restoring faith in the outcomes at the ballot box.
We have a smaller majority this year than we have in the past, but as you can see there is no limit to what our caucus can accomplish when we stick together. Because of you, we are successfully passing legislation to make New Hampshire an even better state. We are looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the months and next year ahead.
Sincerely,
Andrew Renzullo and Len Turcotte
Majority Senior Advisors