Follow Up: Portsmouth "Meet Your Legislators" Forum

Photo: NH Senator Martha Fuller Clark spoke about the importance of having citizen input on legislative issues. Also pictured (left to right): moderator Hillary Niles, Rep. Jim Splaine, Rep. Paul McEachern, Rep. Laura Pantelakos, House Speaker Terie Norelli, Rep. Jackie Cali-Pitts, Rep. Rich DiPentima, and Rep. Robin Read.

The Seacoast for Change "Meet Your Legislators" forum (April 4) was informative and well-received by those who attended the Saturday morning event. NH Speaker of the House Terie Norelli and NH State Senator Martha Fuller Clark provided a brief overview of how a bill becomes law in New Hampshire, inlcuding the process of Committee reviews and public hearings. While discussing the influence of professional lobbyists in Concord, Senator Fuller Clark emphasized how important it is for ordinary citizens to speak out on legislative issues. Portsmouth Representatives Jackie Cali Pitts, Rich DiPentima, Paul McEarchern, Laura Pantelakos, Robin Read, and Jim Splaine answered questions from the audience, which included concerns about the just-passed seat belt law and reducing retirement benefits for state employees. The discussion was moderated by Hilary Niles, producer of Front Door Politics NH (www.frontdoorpolitics.com). The forum was covered by Foster's Daily Democrat -- you can read the story here.

Special thanks to Larry Drake and Joan Jacobs, who took the lead on organizing the event.

Another Milestone: Legislative Action Opportunities

In year of many milestones, we're hitting another one. For the first time since we started organizing as a grassroots volunteer network (that would be January, 2008), Seacoast for Change is offering information about specific state and federal legislation that you may, or may not, choose to actively support. The bills described here are consistent with President Obama's agenda to restore vitality to our nation's troubled economy, provide affordable health care for all, create more good jobs with living wages, invest in clean energy, strengthen our schools and communities, promote civic responsibility, and foster inclusion by creating a government that works for everyone, including those who are most vulnerable to hardship.

We are also providing information about how you can support this legislation if -- and only if -- you wish to do so. Information about opportunities for legislative activism will only be published once -- we're not going to track the response, and there will be no follow up calls or emails reminding you to take action. If you want to make a phone call or write a letter in support of these policies or other legislation going forward, we love you. If that's not your thing, we still love you. If you have feedback or suggestions about the introduction of legislative issues into the mix of Seacoast for Change actions, we welcome your comments (email yeswecan.nh@gmail.com).

In solidarity,

Judy

Judy Stadtman
Organizer, Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network
Portsmouth, NH
603.479.7217
yeswecan.nh@gmail.com