Concord, NH- House Republican Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) released the following statement in response to Governor Sununu’s veto of HB1494, adopting omnibus legislation concerning workers. HB1171 was attached to this bill in the Senate and would create an unfunded mandate on municipal governments with the trust cost unknown.
“HB1494 is yet another example of Democrats’ failed leadership during the COVID-19 crisis. Rather than working with Republicans on setting up a reasonable vetting process, they forged ahead and used it as an opportunity to pass wish-list items and bills that have not been vetted in the House,” said Hinch. “Regardless of their heavy-handed and mismanaged process, they can’t really expect Republicans to support an unfunded mandate on our communities while they are wrestling with lost revenue. There is a mountain of unanswered questions, including how much it will actually cost our cities and towns. Democrats don’t care about that detail. They are downshifting that expense willy-nilly. I commend the Governor on looking out for local taxpayers and vetoing this bill.”