Rep. Paul R. Bergeron NH Hills. Dist. 29 (Nashua Ward 2)
The House will meet in session at 10 AM on Thursday, June 24th, at the NH Sportsplex facility at 68 Technology Drive in Bedford, NH to act on all Committee of Conference Reports, including HB1 and HB2, the state budget bills. This will likely be the last regularly-scheduled meeting of the House for the 2021 Session, though the House will re-convene later this year if the Governor subsequently vetoes any bills approved by the Legislature.
ON VOTING RIGHTS: Having served as Nashua’s City Clerk for 16 years, I know first-hand the challenges that voters, especially new voters and elderly voters, and our election officials face on election day. Polls must be safe and accessible. No eligible voter should be denied access to the polls, and every vote should be counted. I support efforts to ensure that those who have the right to vote may do so and to broaden voter participation, not restrict it.
ON GUN SAFETY: NH is one of only eight states that either allow the concealed carry of firearms (by permit holders) at K – 12 schools or have no relevant law prohibiting it. Law enforcement officers and vetted campus security employees are the only personnel that should be allowed to bring weapons on school grounds!
ON EDUCATION: If we want to provide a quality public education that will provide a foundation for a brighter future for our children, we must ensure that the state halts further reductions in aid to our public schools, we need to oppose efforts to divert already-scarce public funds to private institutions, and we must raise the per-pupil level of funding.
ON OUR BUSINESS CLIMATE AND RAIL: 42% of the state’s population — and the state’s major business core — are contained within the Golden Triangle region of Nashua – Manchester – Portsmouth. I support policies that will improve the quality of our workforce, strengthen our infrastructure, and enhance public transportation, including rail service.
FOR OUR VETERANS: Our nation must honor its commitments to veterans of all wars, including physical and mental healthcare, education, and disability support. I support the efforts of our congressional delegation to expand access to health care by contracting with local hospitals and doctors, and I support policies that create employment and housing opportunities for veterans.
ON THE OPIOD EPIDEMIC: NH “leads the nation in overdose deaths per capita from fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has virtually replaced heroin across New England” (NY Times, 1/21/18). According to the state medical examiner, 483 deaths resulted from drug overdoses in 2017. NH needs a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, access to treatment, and funding for recovery efforts.
