Republican House Members Comment on Bill Prohibiting Prison Privatization

CONCORD – Today House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) and Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R-Manchester) offered the following comments regarding the passage of HB 443, a bill that prohibits prison privatization. The bill passed by a vote of 197 -136.

House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett)

“It is incredibly shortsighted for our legislature to prohibit prison privatization without having all information regarding its possible benefits available. No matter how one feels about privatizing prisons, we should have all the facts before us prior to making a decision of this magnitude. The state has asked for proposals regarding this issue and we should be able to review them. All possible cost saving measures for our state should be on the table.”

Representative Steve Vaillancourt  (R-Manchester)

“Whether prison privatization is the answer or not, to ban it outright is totally irresponsible. Our state has spent a good deal of money researching this topic, and to make this unilateral decision without having a final report available is ridiculous. In a time where cost saving measures could be used to support various programs that are currently underfunded, to dismiss a measure that could save our state millions of dollars is a disservice to our constituents.”