Miscellany Blue: New Hampshire Politics

N.H. House: "A Dysfunctional and Feckless Body"

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:47:53 -0400

While conceding that New Hampshire state Rep. Vaillancourt “deserved to be rebuked” for his “outrageous” Nazi salute in the House this week, a scathing editorial in the Eagle-Tribune concludes that ”the incident says more about the atmosphere — and the character — of the House under [Speaker Bill O’Brien] than it does about Vaillancourt.”

O’Brien was elected as a champion of the Tea Party and has gathered around himself a coterie of like-minded, conservative Republicans.

But as speaker, O’Brien has more in common with some of the martinets who have ruled Massachusetts’ lockstep Democratic Legislature.

In speaking of his leadership style, quotation marks are needed around the word “leadership.”

He brooks no dissent and uses closed-door caucuses to cow the weak. If you disagree with him, he doesn’t want to hear it. Nor does he want anyone else to hear it

Despite his assertion of power, or perhaps because of it, the House remains a dysfunctional and feckless body, constantly chasing rabbits instead of concentrating on what needs to be done for New Hampshire.

Kelly Ayotte Veepstakes Recommendation: SELL

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:02:37 -0400

When I last checked in on New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, national commentators were endorsing her as a serious candidate for vice president and her stock was on the rise. Then she flubbed her big audition on Meet the Press and the press moved on.

As evidence of the cooling ardor, today she received a down arrow from the National Journal and fell from #6 to #10 on the Hotline Veepstakes Power Rankings.

Perhaps Romney’s best option if he wants to bring gender balance to the ticket, Ayotte got buzz when she appeared alongside Romney during his first trip to New Hampshire as the presumptive nominee. But few insiders believe she’ll make the short list.

Gamblers are cutting their loses. Today, Ayotte’s stock is trading on Intrade at $0.25/share, down from a high of $0.50/share last month, with bettors giving her just a 2.5% chance of being Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick.

The Road Mitt Travels

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:03:02 -0400

Mitt Romney heads to Hillsborough today to disparage the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as “wasteful government spending.” To get there, his motorcade will be traveling on highways maintained and improved with funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

I-93 improvements brought to N.H. with $47.5 million from the Recovery Act.
Manchester Airport Access Road improvements brought to N.H. with $15.5 million from the Recovery Act.
Route 101 improvements brought to N.H. with $8.9 million from the Recovery Act.
I-393 improvements brought to N. H. with $800,000 from the Recovery Act.
I-89 improvements brought to N.H. with $22.5 million from the Recovery Act.

h/t: NHDP

"Keeping The Granite State Safe From Boss Tweed"

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:21:00 -0400

“Things got a little lively” in Concord this week, notes Charles Pierce. In his semi-regular This Week in the Laboratories of Democracy column (where “the real work of governmentin’ goes on and the skies are not cloudy all day”), Pierce provides the context for Rep. Vaillancourt’s “Nuremberg flashback.”

It should be noted here that Mr. Vaillancourt’s unfortunate Nuremberg flashback took place during a debate over one of those phony voter suppression bills that have been coincidentally popping up all over the landscape ever since we elected a black president and all….

Supporters of the amendment said it was needed to prevent voter fraud, citing cases from New York’s Tammany Hall in the early 20th century, Chicago and Acorn.

The New Hampshire Legislature: Keeping The Granite State Safe From Boss Tweed, Richard Daley, Sr. and a community organizing group, each of whom is as dead as the other two. Only the latter, however, was murdered.

Romney to Demagogue Historic Bridge Preservation?

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:13:00 -0400

John DiStaso reports Mitt Romney will be campaigning in New Hampshire tomorrow at the site of the Sawyer Bridge in Hillsborough. Romney will reportedly cite money spent to preserve and maintain the bridge as an example of “wasteful government spending.”

In 2010, Sean Mahoney made a similar charge during his failed run for Congress. My response first appeared in August 10, 2010:

The arched stone bridges of the Contoocook River Valley of New Hampshire are the earliest examples of dry-laid masonry vaults that became the dominant form of stone construction for engineering structures in New England during the 1830s.

The largest and oldest single concentration of arched stone bridges ever built in New Hampshire is in the town of Hillsborough, which has five of the historic gems. The bridges are registered as historic structures by the Historic American Building Survey and have been recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the second in New Hampshire after the Cog Railway.

$150,045 in stimulus money was awarded to the Town of Hillsborough to preserve and maintain the Sawyer Bridge that will no longer support vehicular traffic and will now become home to a small garden park for picnicking.

1st District Congressional candidate Sean Mahoney says there’s a problem. “It doesn’t go anywhere… The politicians in Concord asked the politicians in Washington for $150,000 to pave a real ‘Bridge to Nowhere.’” He issued a press release. He made a web video. He got a write-up on Andrew Breitbart.

It’s a cheap shot that tells you more about Sean Mahoney than all of his position papers and web videos ever will.

PPP Poll: Dems Have "Pretty Good Chance to Win"

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:00:57 -0400

Former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter leads Rep. Frank Guinta by a 47%-43% margin in the latest survey from Public Policy Polling, an 11-point swing from last summer when Guinta had a 48%-41% advantage in the 1st District race.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Congressman Charlie Bass and Democratic challenger Ann Kuster are tied at 42%. The race is essentially unchanged from last summer’s survey.

The old adage goes that voters hate Congress, but like their Congressman. In New Hampshire though they don’t appear to like either. Democrats have a pretty good chance at winning back the two seats they lost there in 2010 this fall.

View the story “PPP Poll: NH Congressional Races” on StorifyPPP Poll: NH Congressional RacesStorified by William Tucker · Thu, May 17 2012 13:43:50Democrats have a pretty good chance to win back both the New Hampshire House seats they lost in 2010: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPollingCarol Shea-Porter leads Frank Guinta 47-43 in NH-1 rematch. Guinta had led 48-41 last time we polled it: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPollingCongressman Guinta’s approval rating has gone from 39/38 to 36/44 over the last ten months: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPollingNH-1 emblematic of GOP struggles with women- Shea-Porter up 55-36 on Guinta with them: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPollingCharlie Bass and Ann McLane Kuster tied at 42 in NH-2. Little change from last year when Bass was up 43-42: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPollingCharlie Bass has only a 34% approval rating, with 49% of voters disapproving of him: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPollingUndecideds skew Democratic in NH-2, suggesting Kuster may have more room to grow between now and November: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPollingWe’ve done little House polling but at least in NH voters don’t just hate Congress, they hate their Congressmen too: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/tight-house-races-in-new-hampshire.html PublicPolicyPolling

Herald: Gap Between House GOP Words and Actions

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:42:50 -0400

An editorial in the Portsmouth Herald declares, “There seems to be a gap between House Republican leaders’ words and their actions.”

House leaders say their top priorities are jobs and the economy.

But if that’s true, why in the world would they attach an amendment requiring a woman to wait 24 hours for an abortion to a bill approved by the Senate raising the research and development tax credit pool from $1 million to $2 million? …

This is a case of House leaders’ words saying they value jobs and the economy while their actions show that social issues such as abortion are more important.

“This is just one more example,” the Herald concludes, “of why the House needs new leadership.”

N.H. House Adopts "Agenda 21" Conspiracy Prohibition

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:07:30 -0400

Agenda 21 is a United Nations plan for sustainable development that encourages resource conservation and preservation of open spaces.

Right-wing extremists from the John Birch Society to the NH Tea Party Coalition have latched onto the program as evidence of a worldwide conspiracy to destroy private property rights and implement a one-world government.

Today New Hampshire lawmakers joined them. By a 207-99 vote, the GOP-led House approved a bill that would prohibit the state, as well as any town or county, from implementing Agenda 21.

No agency or department of the state shall implement programs of, expend any sum for, be a member of, receive funding from, contract for services from, or give financial or other forms of aid to the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), and its derivatives, in furtherance of the United Nations program known as Agenda 21.

Senate Bill 217, as amended by the House, now heads back to the Senate.

PPP Poll: N.H. Governor Race a "Toss-Up"

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:01:00 -0400

Public Policy Polling calls the New Hampshire gubernatorial race a “toss up,” with Democrats Jackie Cilley and Maggie Hassan both basically tied with Republican Ovide Lamontagne.

In the primary battles, Lamontagne has opened up a wide 53-13 lead over challenger Kevin Smith. Hassan leads Cilley 23-20 but PPP says the Democratic primary “looks pretty wide open” with 57% of voters undecided.

View the story “PPP Poll: Tight Race for N.H. Governor” on StorifyPPP Poll: Tight Race for N.H. GovernorStorified by William Tucker · Wed, May 16 2012 15:45:26NH Gov race looks like toss up- Ovide Lamontagne leads Maggie Hassan 40-39, tied with Jackie Cilley at 38: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPollingOvide Lamontagne leads Kevin Smith 53-13 in NH Gov GOP primary, up from 40-12 on our last poll: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPollingMaggie Hassan up 23-20 on Jackie Cilley in NH Dem Gov primary, 57% undecided. Both have low name rec: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPollingOn off chance of Smith winning GOP nomination, Hassan and Cilley would have 5-6 pt lead on him: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPollingJohn Lynch has a 60/28 approval rating, matching highest we’ve found for any sitting Governor: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPollingDemocrats lead generic legislative ballot in NH 47-41. Would mean winning back a lot of seats: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPolling57% of NH voters support gay marriage, 35% opposed. Up from 51/38 last July: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPolling85% of Dems, 21% of GOP in NH support gay marriage. Independents (61% support) much closer to the Dems: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPolling85% of New Hampshire voters, including 69% of Republicans, support either gay marriage or civil unions: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPolling65% of New Hampshire voters support legalizing medical marijuana, 24% opposed: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPollingMore than 70% of Dems and indys in NH support medical marijuana and a plurality of Republicans (46/43) do: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/05/close-race-for-governor-of-nh.html PublicPolicyPolling

D.J. Bettencourt: "Jane, You Ignorant Slut"

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:16:06 -0400

Bob Mead, director of legislative services for the House Majority Office, resigned yesterday after being outed by the Concord Monitor. The Monitor story revealed Mead used his taxpayer-funded position to recruit Republicans to run for office and he had billed the state for travel expenses related to that work.

Questions remain, said House Democratic Leader Terie Norelli:

“By whom was (Mead) directed to do electoral work? I would like to know why the speaker hasn’t taken any action against Greg Moore, the chief of staff, since he was the one who approved the reimbursement.”

We don’t discuss personnel matters, replied House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt:

“Unfortunately the professionalism and decorum underlying this policy allows ignorant partisans to jibber jabber without response but the House policy of not commenting on these matters is the proper one.”

PPP Poll: "Opinions Are Changing and Changing Fast"

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:38:25 -0400

When we polled New Hampshire last July it supported gay marriage 51/38. Now 57/35. Opinions are changing and changing fast
— PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) May 15, 2012

PPP Poll: Obama 53%, Romney 41% (N.H.)

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:01:21 -0400

The latest survey from Public Policy Polling gives Pres. Obama a commanding 12-point lead over Mitt Romney in New Hampshire. Obama has surged to a 53-41 lead, a 14-point swing from ten months ago when Romney led 46-44.

The reason for this huge boost in Obama’s fortunes in this swing state is two-fold: an improvement in his own public image and a decline in Romney’s.

Romney is improving with his partisans (up from 63% to 77% favorability with Republicans), but has slipped drastically from a barely positive 43-42 favorability spread overall to 40% seeing him favorably and 54% unfavorably now. That negative movement is entirely with Democrats (from 25-58 to 8-89) and independents (43-40 to 38-53).

On the flip side, 52% approve and 45% disapprove of the president’s job performance, up 10 points on the margin from 46-49 last summer. Obama is also consolidating support with his base (from 83% to 92% approval) but also with independents (from 39% to 51%).

PPP surveyed 1,163 New Hampshire voters with a margin of error of +/-2.9%. The automated telephone interviews were conducted May 10-13, 2012.

"Our Public Schools Are Being Privatized"

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:20:07 -0400

Bill Duncan, who has been leading the charge to protect New Hampshire’s public schools, explains the true goal of Senate Bill 372. The proposed legislation would create a school voucher program granting tax credits to businesses to fund scholarships for students attending private schools, religious schools or home schools.

Milton Friedman, the godfather of the movement for private school vouchers, said in his famous paper, “Public Schools: Make Them Private”: “Vouchers are not an end in themselves; they are a means to make a transition from a government to a free-market system.”

This week, the New Hampshire House of Representatives is expected to vote a plan to do just that.

Our public schools are being privatized, and New Hampshire communities will pay the price.

N.H. House Circus: Vaillancourt Brouhaha Concludes

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:39:12 -0400

It took three tries, but Rep. Vaillancourt apologized to the New Hampshire House and the Speaker for his use of “inflammatory” language on the House floor and the regular business of the House resumed.

View the story “Vaillancourt Brouhaha Concludes” on StorifyVaillancourt Brouhaha ConcludesStorified by William Tucker · Tue, May 15 2012 14:26:52#NHHouse Rep. Vaillancourt begins afternoon session w/ “apology”… many members not sure if it is an apology or not… http://pic.twitter.com/PIxJyZ9b Rep. Jon RichardsonRep. V gives a sideways apology. He’s sorry he used two particular German words. All better? Good. How about some votes? #NHHouse Ellen KolbOh, fer cryin’ out loud: Rep. Hess reports that Rep V’s apology not what was agreed to with #NHHouse committee. The calendar languishes. Ellen KolbApology committee didn’t like #NHHouse Rep Vaillancourt’s first apology. He is now apologizing again for using “inflammatory German words” The Lobby NHVallaincourt apologizes for using inflammatory German words. Apology committee discussing.#NHhouse Jennifer DalerI’m now officially begging @ColbertReport @thedailyshow to check WMUR / YouTube for video of the complete circus in The #nhhouse today. NH State Rep SerlinRep. Vaillancourt gives clearer apology to #NHHouse & Speaker 4 “inflammatory german words which can have offensive connotation” Takes seat. Rep. Jon RichardsonAfter specifically making Vaillancourt apologize to him, O’Brien accepts Vaillancourt’s apology for “Sieg Heil.” On to the rest of the day. Matthew Spolar

N.H. House Circus: GOP Rep. Ejected for Nazi Salute

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:19:02 -0400

When the New Hampshire House is in session we’ve come to expect fireworks, but today was one for the record books. We’ll pick it up during the debate on Senate Bill 289, which would require voters to present a photo ID in order to cast a ballot. GOP Rep. Vaillancourt had questioned House Speaker O’Brien over his ruling prohibiting discussion of committee deliberations.

View the story “Rep. Vaillancourt Ejected Following Nazi Salute” on StorifyRep. Vaillancourt Ejected Following Nazi SaluteStorified by William Tucker · Tue, May 15 2012 13:01:46After debating @NHHouse speaker, Rep. Vaillancourt is ruled out of order, told 2 sit down, He responds w/ #NAZI salute & yells “Sieg Heil” Rep. Jon RichardsonSergeant at Arms just ordered by the Speaker to remove Rep. Vaillancourt from Representatives Hall. Lucy McVitty Weber#NHhouse has turned hostile w/vallincourt being evicted by speaker O’Brien Raymond Gagnon#NHHouse Rep. Vaillancourt leaves Reps Hall for about 5 sec & then walks right back in & sits down in his seat.Debate over SB 289 continues Rep. Jon Richardson#nhhouse Speaker ordered #GOP Rep Vallaincourt removed fr chamber 4Lack of order. Rep didn’t leave. Sgt/Arms has not been able 2Remove him NH State Rep SerlinVaillancourt first legislator ejected from House in at least a decade possibly two. #NHHouse John CelockDebate over process turns #NHHouse into circus. Vallaincourt ordered out for challenging Speaker OBrien. Rep. Jasper demands apology. @WMUR9Josh McElveen (WMUR)Rep Jasper wants motion saying Vallincourt can’t re enter House until he apologizes for seig heil comment:-) Raymond Gagnon#NHHouse Rep Jasper moves Rep Vallaincourt can return if he apologizes to #NHHouse for #Nazi salute & yelling “Seig Heil”. Rep. Jon Richardson#NHHouse Rep. Soltani speaks against apology motion, says #Nazi salute and “Seig Heil” was not offensive. Rep. Jon RichardsonBill O’Brien’s House has turned into a total zoo. Vaillancourt kicked out, Soltani booed. Will Vaillancourt apologize? Kathy SullivanCan anyone recall a majority orminority party fighting with itself, and creating so much enmity within the chamber? #nhgop #GOP NH State Rep Serlin#NHHouse Rep. Kingsbury, WWII veteran, stands & speaks & says #Nazi salute & yelling “Seig Heil” is offensive to all his brothers who died Rep. Jon RichardsonI raise my hand in total embarrassment. I want to crawl under my uncomfortable pleather seat @NHLFDA @NHKathySullivan #nhhouse #nhpolitics NH Rep Jenna Roberts#nhhouse rep Lambert says vallincourt wants a personal apology - the anger grows in Rep’s Hall. Raymond GagnonLike or dislike the comments of Rep Vaillancourt, can you force someone to apologize-is there a point if it is not their choice? #nhhouse NH Rep Jenna Roberts#NHHouse says Rep. Vaillancourt is not allowed back in #NHHouse Rep. Hall unless he apologizes. Vote is 238-103. He refuses & won’t leave Rep. Jon Richardson#nhhouse Vaillancourt rises to apologize but Speaker forms a committee to investigate Raymond Gagnon#NHHouse Speaker O’Brien appoints a committee to discuss Vaillancourt’s apology. Vaillancourt remains banished to consult with cmte The Lobby NH#nhhouse security about to forcibly lift Rep from his seat. News cameras all over. This will be tonight’s news. StatePolice here now. NH State Rep SerlinIt seems as if Rep Vallaincourt may have voted. I wonder! NH State Rep SerlinVallaincourt’s voting key taken away.#Nhhouse Jennifer Daler#nhhouse lunch break. ComeBack at 2pm. NH State Rep Serlin

Quote of the Day: Bulls Marking Their Territory

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:33:16 -0400

The Legislature is approaching what could be called Hell Week in the House and Senate, where there’s a flurry of action, but not a lot gets done. House and Senate leaders, like two raging bulls, mark their territory in advance of financial negotiations on key bills.

— Kevin Landrigan, Nashua Telegraph

Robert Gillette: "Voters Take Notice"

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:22:19 -0400

It was an “act of political courage,” writes Robert Gillette, when 17 state Senators killed legislation that would have eliminated funding for Planned Parenthood. It also might have saved a few lives, adds the former science and health reporter for the L.A. Times.

But it will all be for naught, he warns, if New Hampshire voters fail to hold accountable the “militant House majority that has adopted a national conservative political agenda that’s making New Hampshire a laboratory for an imported style of social engineering.”

Last month, in a notable act of political courage, 12 Republicans joined all five Democrats in the New Hampshire Senate to save access to health care for thousands of women and teens. Their action averted financial disaster for the state’s health economy.

They may also have saved a few lives.

Back in 2010, when an angry electoral tide swept dozens of conservative new members into the House on promises of fiscal rectitude, there was not much talk about a social to-do list that now includes a Florida-style “stand your ground” gun law, permitting guns on the House floor, encouraging skepticism of evolution and global warming in schools — along with challenges to women’s health and reproductive rights.

The Senate’s latest common-sense action may not matter much unless more voters take notice of candidates’ positions on vital issues like women’s health.

GOP Commentator: N.H. GOP Being Led Astray

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:03:25 -0400

Cherylyn Harley LeBon — who established her partisan Republican bona fides working for archconservative Sen. Orrin Hatch and serving as deputy press secretary and spokesperson for the Republican National Committee — notes efforts by the New Hampshire GOP to eliminate the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and declares the party has lost its way.

In the State of New Hampshire, however, Democrats have exercised reasonable, sound judgment, while my Republican brethren are being led astray.

Some Republicans in the New Hampshire state legislature believe that the IB program is a pilot program of the United Nations and UNESCO that promotes a socialist agenda. I have my share of criticisms for the UN and UNESCO, but they are a non-issue in this instance and don’t control the IB program.

The IB program prepares our children to function in a global society. The curriculum is challenging and encourages students to hone critical thinking skills, engage in community service, and learn a second language. … We should be proud of and encourage education through programs like the IB program.

(Even) More Evidence of Tea Party Irrelevancy

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:40:51 -0400

If calling for Gov. Lynch to be arrested isn’t enough evidence of the New Hampshire Tea Party’s descent to irrelevancy, how about this message from the NH Tea Party Coalition?

The truth is, Obama is the product of a Bush cousin (his mother), with ties to the Illuminati families, and was picked out by the evil Henry Kissinger as far back as college … and was thus destined to be Kissinger’s Manchurian Candidate.

The reason Obama seems to have “no birth certificate, no college records, no roommates, no student loans, no girlfriends/boyfriends, and no past”, and was able to gain the presidency with virtually no prior major accomplishment or business experience is that he was likely a CIA asset as proven by the 26 or so SS numbers he used over the years.

A Mother's Day Gift for Working Moms

Sun, 13 May 2012 10:09:22 -0400

On the day we honor mothers, it’s worth noting that 71% of women with children under 18 years of age are in the labor force. And as the New Hampshire GOP continues its assault on workers and unions, it’s particularly meaningful to note the advantage these unions provide for working mothers.

A report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) documents the dramatic advantage unions provide women workers in pay and benefits.

The data suggest that even after controlling for systematic differences between union and non-union workers, union representation substantially improves the pay and benefits that women receive. On average, unionization raised women’s wages by 11.2 percent — about $2.00 per hour — compared to non-union women with similar characteristics.

For the average woman, joining a union has a much larger effect on her probability of having health insurance (an 18.8 percentage-point increase) than finishing a four-year college degree would (an 8.4 percentage-point increase, compared to a woman with similar characteristics who has only a high school diploma). Similarly, unionization raises the probability of a woman having a pension by 24.7 percentage points, compared to only a 13.1 percent increase for completing a four-year college degree (relative to a high school degree).

So, by all means, take Mom out for lunch. But to honor working moms all over the state, call your legislators and demand they stop the assault on unions and put an end to the so-called “Right to Work” charade.

This post first appeared on May 8, 2011