NH State Representative Steven Smith

This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day, our most solemn holiday.  Sadly, many people don’t know the significance of Memorial Day, or worse, do and don’t think about it.  This weekend I am free to barbecue.  I am free to travel, even outside the state and country.  I am free to have a yard sale.  I am free to enjoy myself on property that I own.  I am free to criticize the government.  I, a regular citizen with no privileged upbringing or family birthright, am free to be a part of the government.  I have all these freedoms because of the courage and sacrifice of American service people for over 2 and a quarter centuries.  I went to Arlington National Cemetery last year.  The shear scope of how many brave Americans are buried there is overwhelming.  As we enjoy our freedom this holiday weekend, we should remember the cost.  We have our freedom because of those who have served.  We continue to be free because of those who are serving.  We will be free in the years to come, because this very minute, there are brave young people volunteering to put on a uniform and defend our way of life.  If you run into a veteran this weekend, say “Thank You”.  It isn’t much, but there really are no adequate words for the gift that they give us… the gift of freedom.

While serving on the Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitative Services Committee, I helped pass HB401, “An act relative to postsecondary training for workers with disabilities. “. This bill allows workers with disabilities to intern in jobs with willing businesses to see if they can do the work. This program costs zero taxpayer dollars and gives people a chance. The bill went into effect last year. Bill text – http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2011/HB0401.html

I heard a news person the other day refer to a bill that passed as “one of the few bipartisan bills this session”. I was dumbfounded. It is amazing how little folks know about what actually happens in the NH House. Due to the antics of a few “eccentric” Representatives, you hear about sensational rare occurrences that are not indicative of a typical day at the House. The truth is that many bills are passed on something called the “Consent Calendar”. Bills get on the Consent Calendar when they come out of their committee with no opposition, or none worth mentioning. The minority has to agree that the bill be placed on the Consent Calendar, and they forgo filing a minority report. Most of these bills pass unanimously. The Consent Calendar is presented to the House, where we have yet another opportunity to change our minds and remove bills from it.  After no further objections are noted, we vote once on the entire package of bills. This means that a ton of work gets done, in a bipartisan fashion, every session. While serving on the Labor Committee, I saw many bills pass from us to the Consent Calendar. You don’t hear about this though, because the House running smoothly, fixing governmental problems, and agreeing on issues is not good entertainment. Instead, you are fed a steady diet of the antics of a few nut cases who are not representative of the House as a whole. I have had many good conversations with members of the other party. I have found that most Representatives from all parties are hardworking, respectful, good people. I ask that you not judge 400 of us by the over the top behavior of a small group. Most Representatives of both parties are working hard for their constituents.