House Majority Whip Peter Silva (r-Nashua) today called upon House Democrats to, “Stand with Republican lawmakers who are willing to share the pain with the taxpayers of New Hampshire,” by agreeing to cut back on mileage reimbursements during the month of August.
“It is ironic that the self styled ‘party of the people’ is not willing to stand with the people when it comes to feeling the pain of budget cuts,” said Silva. ” I also find it a bit hypocritical when you consider the fact that these very same Democrats, under the leadership of Terie Norelli, passed more than 100 taxes and fees on to the citizens of this state, while increasing spending by 25 percent, but are unwilling to take a cut in their own mileage payments . While Democrats seem oblivious to the fact that their constituents are feeling the pain of budget cuts everyday, all they can worry about is getting their precious mileage checks. I also find it ironic that many of these same Democrats who are ‘ outraged ‘ today, remained silent in 2010 when Speaker Norelli cut in-state travel back by 35 percent during August. Where was their outrage then? It is time for the Democrats to quit whining about their mileage payments and realize that we all need to stand with the people in sharing the pain.”