FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2023
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Media Contacts:
JR Hoell
Andrew Prout
Barbara Comtois
Freedom Caucus Tri-Chairs
info@NHHFC.org
Amanda Elizabeth Toll
Cam Kenney
Alissandra Rodríguez Murray
Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs
housepcnh@gmail.com
House Freedom Caucus and House Progressive Caucus Oppose Dangerous Expansion of Police Power
CONCORD, N.H.—House Freedom Caucus and House Progressive Caucus members are deeply concerned about the Senate Finance version of the 2024-25 Budget. The 2024-25 budget as adopted by the Senate Finance Committee reinstate dangerous provisions that the caucuses worked to remove from the House version via floor amendments.
“Shocked. The only word I can use is shocked,” said Rep. Hoell (R-Dunbarton) regarding the underhandedness of the NH Senate. “Nearly two-thirds of the House voted to strike these provisions via floor amendment when the House considered the budget in April. For Senate to add them back after that is an insult to the process.”
Despite overwhelming bipartisan votes in the House to remove them, the Senate has reinstated provisions establishing a Northern Border Alliance Program that is both wasteful and likely to be used to harass law-abiding individuals based on dubious criteria; removing all legislative limits on the size the Auxiliary State Police; and expanding arbitrary police authority near the border.
“We have seen time and time again, when police are given sweeping powers and little objective criteria, it is often minorities that suffer,” said Rep. Newell (D-Keene) regarding the new police authority in the northern part of the state. “Individual liberties, due process, and respect for people of all backgrounds must always be respected.”
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The New Hampshire House Freedom Caucus is a grassroots organization consisting of legislators and private citizens, who believe in personal liberty and the traditional conservative “Yankee” values that made New Hampshire a great place to live.