A few days ago, I phoned the governor’s office to share my deep concerns about the inappropriate inclusion of critical legislation within our state budget. Having respectfully listened to my comments, the receptionist suggested that, in addition to my phone call, I also send the governor an email explaining what this budget represents to me. This is what I sent:
Dear Gov. Chris Sununu, it is with a heavy heart that I write to you. I am an undeclared voter in my seventies who remembers with nostalgia when I could thoughtfully discuss issues of concern with friends and colleagues across the political spectrum.
Each of us had a particular well-considered perspective which we energetically defended. But here is the difference between then and now: We listened to each other. We honestly listened and expected to hear something germane and important in the course of a conversation which might, just might, inform and affect our own position.
This rarely happens now. Instead of letting civil public debate take place, many of our Republican legislators, not trusting the outcome of such debate to advance their beliefs or plans, have chosen to insert critical pieces of legislation into our state budget. This stealth strategy is wrong on so many counts, not the least of which is the moral dimension because this is still, if tenuously, a democracy.
So, how is it that a poorly constructed school voucher bill, a free speech denial “divisive concepts” bill, an attempt to roll back women’s reproductive rights to the Dark Ages, bills opposed by a majority of voters, is folded into this budget?
Please, Governor Sununu, no matter what your political ambitions may be, consider this. You are the governor of all the citizens of New Hampshire. So many ill-considered, damaging bills secreted in this budget threaten to harm New Hampshire citizens across the political spectrum.
I ask you most respectfully to utilize your moral courage. Act now to represent all of us who live in and love this state. This budget is a cowardly attempt to stealthily achieve partisan ends by devious means. You, our governor, can show us that New Hampshire is better than this. Do not accept these tactics. Do not accept this budget.
(Janet Ward lives in Contoocook.)