NH State Representative Steven Smith

Yesterday the NH House unanimously passed one of my bills, HB 200.  This bill arose from a case in Charlestown.  Currently, if you are fired for misconduct, you can appeal that decision if you feel that the employer was wrong.  Unfortunately, you’re guilty until proven innocent.  Employers are not required to prove that you did anything wrong, and they don’t even have to show up.  My bill requires the employers to furnish some proof of the misconduct.  It’s not a lot to ask.  Remember, this doesn’t mean that you get your job back.  It just means that you get the benefits that you’re entitled to.  The bill was debated before the Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services Committee, which I served on last term.  The committee suggested that in addition to my requirement for proof, that the employer or their authorized representative also be required to attend the hearing.  I agreed, we amended the bill, and it passed.  If you agree that this bill is just common sense and should become law, please contact your Senators.  The bill still has to pass there, before being sent to the Governor.

Steve

Today, the Transportation Committee voted down my bill to create a committee to determine what NH needs to do to allow this new, green, personal mobility solution to come to NH.  I can’t help but think that I failed in presenting the idea well enough.  I’ll take another crack at it when it goes to the House floor.  I’m not asking for money.  I’m asking only that 5 people spend some time meeting with the builders of these systems, and other folks knowledgeable about them to see if we can move NH forward and enable disadvantaged and disabled folks the freedom to get where they need to go.

This coming week, two of my bills were heard in their respective committees.

Personal Rapid Transit

I’ve been watching the growing debate over whether to invest your tax dollars in a rail project over in Nashua with great trepidation.   Trains are coming up on their 200th birthday.   The financial viability of passenger rail died about 40 years ago.  Why anyone would want to sink more of your money into a failed system is beyond me.  Smaller, lightweight solar powered systems can be built that suit our needs, and that are self sustaining.  I hope my bill is heard favorably so that we begin dragging NH into the new millenium of transportation technology.  The hearing is on Tuesday.

Employee Protections

On Wednesday, I’ll be before the Labor Committee presenting my bill to reform the unemployment appeals hearings process.  This bill will require that an employer bring some sort of proof (documentation, witnesses, etc.) to prove misconduct at an appeals hearing.  This provision only applies after an employee has been let go, and after they have been denied unemployment compensation.  I realize that despite the departments best efforts, we’re going to get these decisions wrong now and then.  This bill is an attempt to ensure that when we are wrong, the employee gets their checks.