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This story was updated March 24, 2023 at 8:45 a.m. to correct the name of the representative who addressed a proposed constitutional amendment.

The support of several Republican House lawmakers Thursday gave Democrats wins on significant abortion bills.

By fairly wide margins, members voted to remove criminal and civil penalties from the states 24-week abortion ban and to prohibit the state from further restricting access to an abortion.

Legislation repealing the 24-week ban ended in a 192-192 tie, with five Republicans supporting repeal. The bill was tabled and is likely to stay there; un-tabling it requires a two-thirds vote moving forward.

And two bills that would have further restricted access to an abortion failed, again because Republicans joined Democrats in voting them down.

House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, an Auburn Republican, issued a statement immediately after the votes, calling Democrats support for all three bills radical.

While it is easy for extremist Democrats to use heated rhetoric to try to advance their radical agenda, the fact of the matter is that public opinion is not on their side, Osborne said.

His statement did not acknowledge the impact made by the Republicans who voted with Democrats. The Houses near even party divide of 201 Republicans and 197 Democrats has made daily attendance and every vote all the more critical this session.

Osborne argued that polling has shown strong support for abortion rights in New Hampshire but also support for restrictions. Our current law satisfies and represents the majority of Granite Staters views on abortion. Todays votes prove the Republicans are not the extremists on this issue.

Abortion rights supporters will face a tougher fight when the bills reach the Senate, where Republicans have a 14-10 majority.

Gov. Chris Sununus office did not immediately return a message asking if he would sign the bills if they reach his desk. While campaigning for his fourth term, Sununu said he supported repealing penalties for violating the law, which include up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Rep. Dan Wolf, a Newbury Republican who helped add a fatal fetal anomaly exception to the abortion law last session, was the prime sponsor of this years bill to repeal the laws penalties. That effort, House Bill 224, passed 199-185 on Thursday, with the help of 16 Republicans.

The states abortion law allows an abortion after 24 weeks in limited circumstances: when a baby has a fetal anomaly that it is unlikely to survive or when continuing the pregnancy endangers a mothers life.

Medical providers, including Dr. Ilana Cass, chairwoman of obstetrics and gynecology at Dartmouth Health, told lawmakers that abortions at or after 24 weeks are rare. But they are also complicated, providers say, because a fatal fetal anomaly may be discovered shortly before 24 weeks, giving a provider and family little time to decide whether to terminate the pregnancy.

At an hearing earlier this year, Cass told lawmakers that threats of prison time and fines in such complicated situations have dissuaded providers from choosing to practice in New Hampshire.

Speaking on the House floor Thursday, Wolf reminded House members of Cass testimony, arguing that fewer providers mean fewer options for patients.

Wolf said his daughter was in the last days of her pregnancy in northern New Hampshire when she felt something was wrong. She made it to the hospital within an hour, enough time for medical staff to deliver her baby by an emergency Cesarean section.

The baby was born with its umbilical cord wrapped around its neck four times, Wolf said, The baby survived because she didnt have to drive an hour to Dartmouth or an hour and a half to Boston. We cannot allow the decline in good medical services to put our daughters at risk.

Rep. Bob Lynn, a Windham Republican, challenged arguments about the penalties severity, saying providers must know their decisions violate the law.

There is no doubt that doctors often are required to deal with complicated cases and to make difficult decisions, he said. But the requirement of engaging in knowingly unlawful conduct affords health care providers substantial protection against being prosecuted for mere errors in judgment, even in circumstances where with the benefit of hindsight they perhaps should have acted.

Ahead of this weeks session, Osborne had said leadership would not call for further abortion restrictions. Several Republicans went further Thursday, voting with Democrats to pass House Bill 88, which would leave the existing law in place but prohibited the state from setting additional restrictions on access to abortion.

Rep. Kristine Perez, a Londonderry Republican, was not among them. Perez argued the existing law poses no threat to those who have an abortion prior to 24 weeks.

There is no law stating I cannot hike Mount Washington, Perez said. Therefore, if a law enforcement officer arrested me for hiking Mount Washington, it would have no merit and be thrown out.

She added: There is no law that says you have to wear a yellow shirt on Fridays. Therefore, you cannot be arrested for wearing a blue shirt on Friday. We have a law that allows women to exercise their rights as stated in the existing (law).

Rep. Alexis Simpson, an Exeter Democrat and the bills prime sponsor, countered that the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn federal abortion protections makes state protections even more critical.

The 24-week abortion ban did not guarantee abortion protections prior to that cutoff, she said. HB 88 adds critical protections prior to 24 weeks, prohibiting the state from interfering with a womans access to abortion in the first 23 weeks of pregnancy.

The bill passed in a 199-185 division vote, a process that doesnt reveal how each member voted. But the Democrats are two members shy of 199 when all are present and voting and not all were Thursday.

An effort to add constitutional protections for reproductive health choices like abortion won a narrow 193-191 majority but fell far short of the required three-fifths vote to pass. Rep. Eric Turer, a Brentwood Democrat, urged representatives to support the legislation, which would have allowed voters to decide whether to enshrine the right in the state constitution.

Lets do the little D democratic thing. Lets do the little C conservative thing. Lets do the true Live Free or Die thing, Turer said. Lets pass this elegantly crafted bill to offer the people back their right.

Three Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the measure.

The House defeated House Bill 591, which would have banned abortion after six weeks. The 217-110 vote included 81 Republicans voting against the bill.

House Bill 562, the so-called informed consent bill, failed on a voice vote. It would have added a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, during which time providers would have to tell the person seeking the abortion about the health risks of abortion, the availability of government assistance for pregnancy care, and the fact that the childs father is liable for child support if his identity can be determined..

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Republicans help deliver Democrats two abortion wins New ... - New Hampshire Bulletin

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The Republican Party has a problem: Individual freedom for women to choose how they handle their reproductive health is wildly popular with voters.

In last Novembers midtermsthe first general election since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wadesupporters of reproductive rights won every abortion-related state ballot measure, even in red states. Concerns over abortion rights helped propelDemocratic candidates to victory in race after race. With 13 states banning nearly allabortionssince June, dissatisfaction with Republican abortion policies is soaring high among US adults, and 60 percent of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

So what is the Grand Old Party to do? Their answer, in several states, is to attempt to curb voters power on this front (and others) by taking aim at the roles of elected officials.

In Georgia and Texas, state legislatures are advancing bills that create a process to boot elected prosecutors from office if they decline to enforce a state lawas nearly 100prosecutors across the country pledged to do after the Supreme Court eliminated the right to abortion last June. The Georgia effort would create a commission that could remove or discipline prosecutors who demonstrate a willful and persistent failure to perform his or her duties. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texas package of bills would allowing district court juries to remove prosecutors who set a policy of not enforcing a particular lawsuch as the states criminal abortion ban.

The bills involve issues beyond abortion, taking aim at the progressive prosecutors who have recently won elections in big Texas cities on promises not to charge certain low-level crimes, such as minor drug possession. But tellingly, theyve drawn support from anti-abortion activist groups.Prosecutors who decline to file charges in abortion-related cases undercut the gains we have made, Rebecca Parma, legislative director for Texas Right to Life, recently testified, according to the Chronicle.

Meanwhile in Ohio, where a law banning abortion after six weeks is currently blocked by a court challenge, reproductive rights groups submitted language last month for a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to abortion, which is expected to go before voters in November. Republicans lawmakers who want to make it harder for that amendment to pass have been pushing a different amendment that would raise the threshold of passage for state constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60 percent supermajority. That proposal had appeared to die last December, amid protests and dissent among lawmakers. But the issue was renewed in a hearing last week, where its sponsor, state Rep. Brian Stewart, argued that constitutional amendments should be able to earn the widespread support that a 60 percent margin will require.

Theres a complication, though: For the higher vote threshold to apply to the abortion amendment, voters would first need to approve the supermajority amendment in a special election this summer. And here, Republican have shot themselves in the foot. Three months ago, as part of an elections bill that will require photo ID at the polls, they eliminated August special electionsarguing that those were too costly and drew low voter turnout. So now Republicans in Ohio are also pushing a bill to revive the August special elections, specifically to undermine the abortion amendment. If we save 30,000 lives as a result of spending $20 million, I think thats a great thing, Ohio Senate president Matt Huffman said last Thursday, according to the Ohio Capitol Journal.

The hypocrisy here has no bounds, Democratic state Rep. Alison Russo, the Ohio House minority leader, told the Capitol Journal. Really what this is about is silencing the voice of voters and shutting down direct democracy.

Continued here:
Anti-Abortion Republicans Are Pushing State Legislation to ... - Mother Jones

Candidate says city needs a strong leader who can make hard decisions

Jodie Perry says the city, community and region are facing a "pivotal moment."

"We need a strong leader, someone who can build positive relationships, someone who can make hard decisions," she said.

Perry is one of four Republican candidates running in the May 2 primary to replace Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, who cannot run again because of term limits. Early voting begins April 4.

Perry is vying with Jim Holsinger, Linn Steward and Stephanie Zader. The winner will face Democrat Sherry Vaught in November's general election.

A resident of Mansfield since 2014, Perry has been the president and CEO of Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development.

Since her September announcement that she would run for mayor, Perry has assumed the title of chief operating officer.

Perry, 46, is a native of Rochester, New York. She came to the area to attend Ashland University, where she majored in political science and religion and minored in history.

"All the things you're not to speak about at the dinner table," Perry said.

She oversaw the affiliation with the countywide economic development organization, Richland Community Development Group in 2017, which has focused on bringing higher-paying jobs to the area.

Perry is also a co-leader of the Mansfield Rising project, which established a Downtown Improvement Plan in 2018.

"I really have made a lot of great connections in this community," she said. "My love for the community is very genuine. I thought this is the place where I wanted to stay."

Prior to coming to the local chamber, Perry led the Greece (N.Y.) Chamber of Commerce for eight years and the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce in Ohio.

She also was the director of research and communication for the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce.

For the last few months, Perry has been a regular attendee at Mansfield City Council meetings.

"I'm used to a board of directors, which is different than council," she said. "It's been interesting to learn about that."

Perry said she decided to run because Theaker is serving his final year.

"With the experience and work I've done with the city, I was interested," she said. "It's related to what I do at the chamber but different. I enjoy challenges."

Perry says she wants to focus on economic development as a foundation.

"We need to grow. I think Mansfield is well-positioned for further growth," she said.

She said she wants to see the city build, secure and prepare.

"Essential upgrades to Mansfield's underlying infrastructure will improve our safety, plus create a strong foundation for future development," Perry said in campaign literature. "Our safety services need the tools, training and personnel to provide the service you expect."

Regarding preparation, she said, "Fiscal responsibility can be done with wise management of your tax dollars while minimizing the burden to city residents and businesses."

Perry has been going door-to-door in her campaign and has seven billboards. She jokes she's getting tired of seeing her own face.

She is being endorsed by Theaker, Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson, Richland County Commissioners Tony Vero and Darrell Banks, Shelby Mayor Steve Schag, Mansfield City Council members Aurelio Diaz and Laura Burns, Bellville Mayor Teri Brenkus, county Auditor Pat Dropsey and county Engineer Adam Gove.

"What people have seen from me at the chamber in terms of my work ethic, my ability to collaborate ... I am who I am," Perry said.

She noted there will be many changes in city administration. Along with mayor, there will be new law and finance directors and new municipal court judges.

"To me, it's a good opportunity to build new relationships," Perry said. "Whatever happened in the past can just stay there. I think everybody's excited for fresh ideas."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

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Perry is one of 4 Republicans seeking nomination for Mansfield mayor - Mansfield News Journal

The Iowa Capitol dome is illuminated by the sunset Feb. 16, 2017, in Des Moines. (The Gazette)

Raising individual and corporate income tax rates in the state would require a two-thirds majority vote of lawmakers under a proposal advanced by Senate lawmakers Monday.

A three-member subcommittee of the Senates Ways & Means tax-policy committee advanced Senate Study Bill 1207. The joint resolution calls for an amendment to the Iowa Constitution to require a two-thirds rather than a simple majority vote of each the House and Senate to increase individual and corporate income tax rates.

The proposed amendment also would create the Taxpayer Relief Fund under the Iowa Constitution and specify it is to be exclusively used to reduce income tax rates, sales and use tax rates, or property tax rates.

The Taxpayer Relief Fund is currently established under Iowa Code, making it subject to amendment or repeal by lawmakers. Under the proposal, the fund would be protected under the state constitution, requiring voter approval for any changes.

Amending the Iowa Constitution requires the proposal pass both the House and Senate, be signed by the governor and pass again during the next General Assembly, either during the legislative session in 2025 or 2026, before then being put to voters for approval.

What we are trying to accomplish here is create an article in the Iowa Constitution protecting the taxpayer from runaway government, said committee chairman and bill sponsor Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs. What we are trying to do here is at least rein government in on its worst times.

Dawson added: It should be harder in Iowa to raise taxes than it is to cut it.

I find it perplexing that in the Iowa Constitution we protect money for highway funds, fish habitats and for trails, he said. But, what we dont do is protect the Iowa taxpayers, and thats what this is here about today putting something in the Iowa Constitution that actually protects the Iowa taxpayers.

Opponents, including the Common Good Iowa, the Iowa Catholic Conference and the Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club, called the proposal fiscally irresponsible.

Our economy is cyclical, and we need policies that adjust to that when it is expanding and when it is contracting, said committee member Sen. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport. To put something like this in the constitution doesnt gives us the flexibility we would potentially need, particularly when previously approved income tax cuts fully kick in, resulting in an expected reduction of $1.9 billion from the state budget.

Dawson and Sen. Carrie Koelker, R-Dyersville, advanced the bill to the full Senate Ways & Means Committee for consideration, with Winckler opposed.

An Iowa Senate committee advanced a bill dealing with county compensation boards on Monday, but said they intend to remove a provision allowing county boards of supervisors to dissolve a compensation board.

As written, House File 314 would give county supervisors the option to dissolve and create a county compensation board, which annually sets the salaries of the county supervisors, attorney, treasurer, sheriff, auditor and recorder. Under current law, compensation boards are required. It passed the House 62-33 in February.

While the bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Local Government Committee meeting on Monday, Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville said the Senate intends to amend the bill on the floor to keep compensation boards as a requirement in each county.

The amendment, which has not been filed, would keep a requirement in the bill that compensation boards provide the data they used to reach the proposed salaries, Klimesh said. It also would dictate that the salary of new elected officials could not be lower than the previous officeholders salary and require members of a county compensation board to receive training on the position.

Klimesh said the decision to keep county compensation boards as a requirement came out of conversations with elected officials and supervisors, most of which wanted to keep compensation boards.

Erika Eckley, a lawyer with experience in health care, agricultural law and statehouse lobbying, has been named the new executive director of the Iowa Public Information Board, the state board that resolves disputes over Iowas public records and meetings laws.

Eckley becomes the fourth executive director in the boards 10-year history. She succeeds Margaret Johnson, who is retiring.

We are excited to have Erika join the staff of the board, IPIB chairwoman Julie Pottorff said in a news release. Erika brings a number of skills that will make her a tremendous asset.

The executive director advises and provides counsel to the nine-member board, and oversees the agencys administration.

Eckley has worked as an attorney for the Iowa Hospital Association and Iowa State University Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. She also has worked as a lobbyist for the Iowa Hospital Association, the Hospice and Palliative Care Association, and Intoxalock, an ignition interlock device company.

Eckley has a law degree from Drake University, a masters in public administration from Iowa State University, and an undergraduate degree from Grand View University in Des Moines.

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Iowa Senate Republicans propose adding taxpayer protections to ... - The Gazette

Senate Republicans adopted a joint resolution Wednesday pressuring Gov. Tony Evers to convene a special election to replace Secretary of State Doug La Follette who resigned last week. State law, however, does not require a new election.

The move comes after the governor appointed Sarah Godlewski, former state treasurer and unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate, to fill the rest of La Follettes nearly four year term.

Senate Republicans balked at Evers appointment, claiming voters should have the chance to choose their own secretary of state in a special election.

The legislature is simply calling on the governor to exercise his authority to allow the people of Wisconsin to elect their next secretary of state, Sen. Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) explained at Wednesdays floor vote. The people of Wisconsin did not vote for Sarah Godlewski.

Democrats defended the appointment, recalling former Republican Gov. Scott Walkers appointment of Rebecca Bradley and Dan Kelly to the State Supreme Court without ever calling a special election, and pointing to Godlewskis recent history in elected statewide office.

Gov. Evers did not pick a random person off the street, said Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison). He picked Sarah Godlewski, a person who was elected in her own right, statewide, served four years as state treasurer, and she won her election overwhelmingly in a Wisconsin landslide by 100,000 votes.

Shell do a great job, Evers remarked at a press conference Tuesday. Shes been part of the executive branch of government, and I trust her.

Republicans have also accused the governor of colluding with La Follette, the popular 82 year old incumbent and fellow Democrat, to resign and give the much younger Godlewski an incumbency advantage in 2026. Evers denies any such involvement.

I think the last I talked to Doug La Follette, I saw him at the inauguration, and I said Good speech, Doug, Evers explained.

Additionally, Evers noted there was no collusion.

He brought [to] my office a letter saying Im sick of this stuff. He left, I appointed a completely competent person to do the work and thats the end of that story, Evers added.

The secretary of state is a largely symbolic position, mainly responsible for safeguarding the states official seal.

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If a special election is not called, Godlewskis term will expire in 2027. She will likely face a reelection challenge from Republicans in 2026.

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Wisconsin Republicans recommend special election for secretary of ... - Daily Cardinal