Once again, former state House Speaker Bill O’Brien is sponsoring right to work legislation — despite conceding that it has no chance of becoming law this session. Susan Bruce was on hand to cover today’s hearing by the House Labor Committee:
[View the story “Here we go again: Right to work hearing” on Storify]
Here we go again: Right to work hearing
They’re filing in for RTW hearing, room 305/307 at the LOB. No sign of O’Brien yet.susanthe
O’Brien appears! He’s sitting in my row. #rtwforlesssusanthe
The room is filling up. Hearing beginning. #nhrtwsusanthe
O’Brien beginning to speak. #nhrtwsusanthe
The reasons are “liberty” based and economic based, says O’Brien. #nhrtwsusanthe
Dissertation on who Franklin Partin is. His religious beliefs prevented him from joining a union. #personalresponsibility?susanthe
Facts don’t matter to the emotional defenders of unions. #obiebaloney #nhrtwsusanthe
Obie says young people are leaving NH, because jobs aren’t being created. #nhrtw #nhgopclowncarsusanthe
O’Brien does elaborate tap dance to avoid answering question of how high the wages are in rtw states. #nhrtwsusanthe
Rep. Weed asks Obie if young people are leaving due to high tuition. “I”ve seen no data on that,” sez Obie. #nhrtwsusanthe
Rep, Mark Warden compares rtw to a woman’s right to choose and marriage equality. Choice is good for society. #FSP #nhrtwsusanthe
As a liberty guy, I’m all about freedom. Rep. Mark Warden Praises those who refused to be bullied. #fspwingnuttery #nhrtwsusanthe
Warden can’t answer technical questions. Wants to speak about the liberty aspects of this issue. #FSP #nhrtwsusanthe
Rep. Cebrowski bemoans the lack of state revenue. Irony sticks her head in the oven. #nhrtwsusanthe
RTW will differentiate us from other states sez Cebrowski. We need more revenue. #nhrtw #nhgopclowncarsusanthe
Time for Baldasaro. #nhgopclowncar #rtwsusanthe
We stand for freedom here in NH, says Al Baldasaro. Unless you’re a woman or a homosexual. #nhgopclowncar #nhrtwsusanthe
“A vote against this is a vote against the little guy”. Al Baldasaro. #nhgopclowncarsusanthe
Baldasaro’s daughter works in Boston. Won’t come home because nothing is here. MA is not a rtw state. #nhgopclowncar #nhrtwsusanthe
Al Baldasro is very concerned about “the little people.” Apparently low wage jobs is the way to take care of them. #nhrtwsusanthe
“I’m not a rocket scientist.” Al Baldasaro. #nhrtwsusanthe
Baldasaro’s anecdotes are all about other states. He has no work experience in NH. #nhrtwsusanthe
Ray Buckley up now. #nhrtwsusanthe
Low wages do not spur hiring – Ray Buckley. #nhrtwsusanthe
Coos Rep. supports RTW. Cost of living lower in RTW states. #nhwinter??susanthe
Coos Rep: RTW is a way to empower workers. #nhgopclowncarsusanthe
Mark McKenzie, NH AFL-CIO speaking now. #nhrtwsusanthe
If you go after my people who work hard and go thru apprenticeship programs you’re going against the best interests of the state. mckenziesusanthe
Rep. Infantine just used the phrase “no tickee no washee.” #righttobigotrysusanthe
O’Brien still at the hearing. Oh, right – he refused a committee assignment. Beneath him. #nhrtwsusanthe
Former Rep. Walsh stopped supporting RTW last session, and lost his election. #nhrtwsusanthe
Rep. Walsh: “all those emails about union thugs? Turns out the thugs aren’t in the unions.” #nhrtwsusanthe
Former Rep. Scott from Dover: Auto companies have all gone to RTW states. #INFRASTRUCTURE #TAXBREAKSsusanthe
Free stater compares the fight for RTW to the fight against slavery. Grandiose much?#freedumb #libertea #nhrtwsusanthe
Obie said opposition to RTW has “religious overtone.” Rev. McKinney is schooling him about how this is a religious issue. Quoting MLK.susanthe
Americans for Prosperity guy: RTW will protect the NH advantage. #nhrtwsusanthe
AFP guy claims RTW states have lower poverty rates. I know thats BS. #RTWsusanthe
Rep. Coulombe asks AFP guy why nonunion businesses leaving NH? AFP: lack of qualified applicants, energy costs?susanthe
Rep. Coulombe: wouldn’t those be the driving reasons for business NOT to locate here? #nhrtw #rtwmagicunicornsusanthe
John Kalb of NE RTW cites Goldman Sachs as a stellar example of a non-union shop. #clowncar #nhrtwsusanthe
Dave Lang – self confessed union boss: If you think I can bully firefighters, I have some ladder guys you need to meet”#nhrtwsusanthe
Hearing now officially closed. NH RTWsusanthe
