Liz Barbour Representing Hollis: An August Update from Concord
Dear Hollis Friends and Neighbors,
I encourage you to join us this Thursday, August 27, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Barn Community Center for our Community Conversation on New Hampshire Energy Policy. We’ll talk about what is driving electricity costs, how state policy affects what we pay, and what New Hampshire can do to ensure reliable and affordable energy for the future. All are welcome.
Giving Hollis Voters a Voice on Property Taxes
I hear regularly from residents concerned about rising property taxes. Because roughly 70% of our property tax dollars go to school budgets, I believe every Hollis voter should have a say in how those dollars are spent. That is why I supported HB 1300, the Taxpayer Protection Act, which created the ballot question Hollis voters will see this November.
On November 3, every Hollis voter will have the opportunity to decide whether to limit the growth of the local school property tax levy and SAU administrative spending. If rising property taxes concern you, this is your opportunity to be heard.
Why put this question on the November ballot? It’s simple: Far more people vote in the November general election than typically participate in our annual school district meetings in March. Putting the question before voters in November gives more Hollis residents an opportunity to participate in a decision that directly affects their property tax bills. Voters who qualify to vote absentee under New Hampshire law will also be able to vote on the question by absentee ballot.
Bringing Hollis Residents’ Concerns to Concord
This summer, I also began my work as Chair of the HB 1763 Study Committee, created by legislation I co-sponsored, signed into law by Governor Ayotte. The bill grew directly out of concerns brought to me by Hollis residents about a community residence on Truell Road. I took those concerns seriously, meeting with town officials, our police and fire departments, state agencies, and my colleagues in Concord to better understand the issues and identify a path forward. As Chair, I am bringing residents, municipalities, service providers, and state agencies to the table to examine how these homes are sited, operated, and overseen, and where clearer standards, better communication, or additional accountability may be needed. Our goal is to find a thoughtful balance that ensures vulnerable individuals have access to appropriate community-based housing while also addressing the legitimate safety, quality-of-life, and property concerns of the neighborhoods in which these homes operate.
Veto Day: More Than 40 Bills Before the House
The House returned to Concord for an unusually early Veto Day with more than 40 bills before us. Overriding a governor’s veto requires a two-thirds vote, so each bill faced a significant hurdle. I voted to override several vetoes on legislation dealing with parental rights, education, local control, agriculture, and government transparency.
Among the bills I voted to override were:
HB 324, which establishes protections against obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools and provides parents with a process to challenge material they believe is harmful to their children. VETO STANDS
HB 356, which gives school districts the option to adopt partisan school district elections. This does not require partisan elections. It allows individual districts to decide whether that format would help voters better understand who is running for local school offices. VETO STANDS
HB 358, which allows a parent or legal guardian to claim a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements by submitting a signed statement. VETO STANDS
HB 446, which strengthens parental notice and consent requirements for non-academic surveys in public schools. It applies the opt-in requirement to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey rather than treating that survey differently from other non-academic surveys. VETO STANDS
HB 1267, which limits questioning of students by school district attorneys or other non-school personnel without a parent or guardian present, while preserving exceptions for law enforcement and the Division for Children, Youth and Families when abuse or neglect is suspected. VETO OVERRIDEN
HB 1369, which updates how towns may provide notice of town meetings. With newspapers disappearing in many communities, the bill allows the newspaper publication requirement to be replaced by posting the notice on the town website and at the meeting location at least two weeks in advance. I voted to override this veto even as publisher of Hollis's only printed newspaper. The Positively Hollis Post will continue to offer space for town meeting warrants because I believe keeping residents informed is an important community service. VETO OVERRIDENFor more Veto Day information visit: Concord Monitor
Standing Up for New Hampshire Farmers
One of the most disappointing votes of Veto Day for me involved HB 396, legislation that came through the House Environment and Agriculture Committee after years of work on this issue.
HB 396 would have allowed a limited number of cattle, swine, sheep, and goats to be processed each month at facilities that are not USDA-certified, while establishing requirements for processing, refrigeration, labeling, and where the meat could be sold. The legislation was intended to give small and medium-sized New Hampshire farmers another option when processing their animals and help address long wait times at existing USDA facilities.
There were many New Hampshire farmers who wanted to see this legislation become law, and I voted to override the Governor’s veto.
We actually tried twice. After the first vote failed, Representative Jack Flanagan, my running mate, made the motion to reconsider, giving the House another opportunity to support our farmers. On the second vote, the override received 202 votes in favor and 107 against, falling just three votes short of the two-thirds majority needed.
While HB 396 did not become law, the effort to address the challenges facing our small farms will continue. As Vice Chair of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, I will continue listening to our farmers and working on practical solutions that strengthen New Hampshire agriculture.
Common Sense for NH
Outside the State House, our Common Sense for NH team of Liz Barbour, Dr. Jim Kelly, and Representative Jack Flanagan has been busy getting out into the community, talking with neighbors, and bringing important state issues directly to Hollis voters.
Our August 27, Energy Policy conversation is the first in a series of community events we’ll be hosting in the months ahead. Visit our website at CommonSenseforNH.com to meet our candidates, learn about upcoming events and our priorities for Hollis and New Hampshire, and subscribe to receive campaign news and event updates.
I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events, at the transfer station, or around town. As always, please reach out. I want to hear what matters to you.
Liz Barbour
State Representative, Hillsborough District 35 | HollisVice Chair, House Environment & Agriculture CommitteeChair, HB 1763 Study Committee
Running for Re-Election | NH State Representative for HollisCommon Sense for NHCampaign
Website: CommonSenseforNH.com
Campaign Email: lizforhollis@gmail.com
Facebook: Liz Barbour for NH State Representative
Legislative Contact
Phone: 603-321-5011 Email: Liz.Barbour@gc.nh.gov
