September 24, 2008
Forbes
NH approves $10 million in state heating aid
CONCORD, N.H. – A plan to add $10 million of state money to help New Hampshire residents heat their homes this winter won easy approval in the Legislature.
The House approved it Wednesday morning on a 321-12 vote and the Senate followed with an unanimous voice vote.
The plan includes $1.2 million to help insulate and weatherize homes.
The action came in a one-day special session in which legislators also sustained Gov. John Lynch’s vetoes of two bills.
One would have set up a commission to look at taxing alternative fuel and electric-powered vehicles. The other would have let winning bidders at foreclosure auctions start eviction proceedings.
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And now, thanks to Denis Goddard, here is the ‘inside’ story:
There was a “special session” of the legislature today. Another one!
HB1653-FN-A-L “relative to providing additional fuel assistance and enhanced weatherization services to income eligible New Hampshire citizens and state matching funds for July – September 2008 disaster assistance grants, and making an appropriation therefor.”
Translation: the state that just used Visa to pay off Master Card, just decided to spend an emergency bundle of money.
How much? CITIZEN, NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW
This bill is so critical… that you are not allowed to see the text!
Bill: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2008/HB1653.html
The first order of business was a suspension of rules. Never a good sign…
Docket: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/live/hlivebills/results.asp?hday=9/24/2008
Video: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/housevideo/sessions/2008/2008-09-24am.asx
This abomination passed with only 12 Reps voting against it.
See how this same story was spun by Fosters.
See how the same story was spun by the Nashua Telegraph and the Union Leader.