NH State Representative Steven Smith

Last week, I filed a bill currently listed as:
2015-H-0037-R    title:    relative to removable walking disability placards.

This bill will allow expectant mothers in their last trimester to have their doctor fill out this form:

Click to access rdmv130.pdf

A section will be added after 2. V. which will read something like:

“VI. Is an expectant mother in her last trimester, or up to one month post-delivery.”

The form already exists, the placard already exists, so it will cost nothing to implement.  This idea comes from Steve Smith (not me) of Goshen based on his and his wife’s experience with their last child.  If a woman is close to going into labor, but is still out taking care of family business, running errands, shopping, going to her doctor, etc.   doesn’t it make sense to let her park close to the door?

Filing the bill is easy.  Passing it can be harder than you think.  If you support this idea, please email me at nhfirst@gmail.com.  I need to demonstrate public support when this goes to its hearing next year.  If you are not in my district, contact your Representative.  Please help me get this done.

Steve

Today, we had the unusual situation of Democrat Speaker Norelli calling a veto session to attempt an override of three bills vetoed by Democrat Governor Hassan. None of them succeeded. To over ride a veto, 2/3 of those present and voting must agree to make the bill law despite the Governor’s veto.

HB591- relative to an abusive work environment and the health and safety of public employees.

This bill arose from extreme morale issues in several State of NH departments.  The Chairman of the Labor Committee, Democrat Andrew White said that the bill was necessary due to the failure of the Executive Branch (Governor Hassan) to act by establishing policies on workplace bullying.  This bill initially passed the House unanimously (yes, I voted for it).  Changes made by the Senate, including exempting some state agencies, made the bill unworkable for many of us.  Our laws should apply to all groups equally.  That, coupled with general agreement with Rep. White’s statement that this an area rightfully handled by the Governor, and that she should be the one to correct her administrative failure, made the over ride attempt unsuccessful. I have pledged publicly to support a bill like this next session if Governor Hassan remains in office and continues to do nothing about workplace bullying in state agencies.  The bipartisan vote was 141-154.

HB685 – relative to state agency communications.

In a nutshell, this bill addressed severe transparency issues at some state agencies.  Both the House and Senate had subcommittees, committees of conference, and did a lot of work to get this bill right and pass it from both chambers.  The over ride failed by a handful of votes.  This is particularly disappointing since both parties seemed to agree again that the Executive Branch needs to work harder on this.  The bi-partisan vote was 190-113

HB1244 – relative to the disclosure of the names of lottery winners.

This was not political.  The question is, if you win the lottery, should you be able to keep that information private.  Some of us believed that you should, others did not.  The bi-partisan vote was 160-142.

With a confirmed human infection of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in nearby Hopkinton, Washington Health Officer Jim Berry sends the following information for local residents knowledge and prevention-

Prevention Guidelines for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
NH Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services

1. Eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding locations. In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days!
• Remove old tires from your property.
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or other containers. Don’t overlook containers that have become overgrown
by aquatic vegetation.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside.
• Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered and keep covers free of standing water.
• Aerate garden ponds or stock them with fish.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
• Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.

2. Be aware of where mosquitoes live and breed and keep them from entering your home.
• Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Weeds, tall grass, and bushes provide an outdoor home for adult mosquitoes, including several species commonly associated with West Nile Virus and Eastern

Equine Encephalitis Virus.
• Mosquitoes can enter homes through unscreened windows or doors, or broken screens. Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens in your home that have tears or holes.
• Resting mosquitoes can often be flushed from indoor resting sites by using sweeping motions under beds, behind bedside tables etc. and once in flight, exterminated prior to sleeping at night.

3. Protect yourself from mosquito bites.
• If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks.
• Consider the use of an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. A repellent containing 30% or less DEET
(N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) for children and adults. Use DEET according to the manufacturer’s directions. Children should not apply DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus have also been determined to be effective.
• Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.

For more information on West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, call the NH Department of Health and Human Services toll-free West Nile Virus Information Line at 866–273–NILE (6543), or visit the West Nile Virus Website at http://www.dhhs.nh.gov.