Jacqueline ChretienPrimary Election 2022 WinnerGeneral Election 2022 WinnerDemocrat

If elected or re-elected, please describe legislation you expect to sponsor or co-sponsor.

utility bill assistance program, directing RGGI funding to NH Saves or renewable energy projects, Climate Action Plan/carbon emissions targets, repeal of the state anti-abortion law, waiting period for firearms purchases, Extreme Risk Protection  Order (ERPO) legislation, bill to include  four-plexes in the definition of “house” to expand housing options, requiring landlords to provide advance notice for rent increases above a certain level

What are the most important concerns you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?

The biggest concerns that I have heard are around opioid use and mental health access, homelessness, school funding and quality, gun violence,  access to/cost of healthcare, climate change and environmental pollution, the cost of housing, gas and (especially recently) electricity, the overturning of Roe, and right-wing extremism and threats to democracy and local government.

As a member  of the Science, Technology and Energy committee, I am best positioned to work directly on climate and energy costs, but I will support my colleagues who are working on these other issues and will certainly vote with these concerns in mind.

New Hampshire legislators are citizen legislators and being a legislator is a significant time commitment. How much time per week can you spend on legislative duties while the Senate/House is in session?

I consider myself very fortunate to have a flexible job that allows me to take time away to work on legislative duties, as well as family supports that allow me more ‘free time’ than most working parents of

3. Based on previous experience,  it’s been realistic for me to devote anywhere from 5 to 20 hours/week on legislative duties while we’re in session (although I have spent up to 30 hours on legislative duties in some weeks). I am proud to have a good record of attendance at House sessions and committee hearings and meetings to date.

How do you feel the current divisive political climate in the United States will impact the New Hampshire General Court over the next two years and how would you navigate that divisiveness in your duties?

It’s definitely not helpful! I have seen many of the more extreme national talking points show up in floor speeches and even committee testimony in the past four years. That and some institution-specific issues (e.g., the refusal to allow remote attendance for legislators with significant health concerns, even after we returned to shoulder-to-shoulder seating in Representatives Hall) really undermined the sense of camaraderie, care for each other, and commitment to fairness in the House. And, to be completely honest, it can be challenging to assume positive intent in colleagues who spend their free time spreading awful conspiracy theories and harassing people, sometimes up to the point of encouraging violence.

With that said, I’ve also had good bipartisan experiences at times — particularly during committee work, when we are working on bills that aren’t especially controversial, the atmosphere is often very collegial, respectful, and productive. And I’ve certainly come away from a few conversations with colleagues (and constituents) in both parties thinking of new ways to approach a problem, legitimate concerns that I am better for hearing, or a livable compromise that I hadn’t considered before. I like getting along with people, and I am open to listening to and working with any colleague on shared goals, even if I disagree vehemently with some of their opinions, but I also will always prioritize working with people who are operating in good faith.

What is the most significant issue facing Manchester residents at the municipal level and how can you, as a legislator aid the city government on that issue?

Funding formulas!!! Doing everything by property tax (particularly school funding) hurts Manchester a lot. I also think that being a hub for many social services cuts both ways – it is great that we have

substantial services available and accessible, but as people are referred to us from elsewhere, we’ve landed with a greater burden. I will support legislation that strengthens these services throughout the

state so that people can get what they need locally.

In your opinion, what were the five most significant pieces of legislation introduced over the last two years? Please explain what made them significant.

HB2, the state budget. Hoo boy. Breaking with tradition, the GOP introduced  language from several extreme non-budget bills that would not have passed on their own (banning abortion after 24 weeks with no exceptions, the “divisive concepts” bill) into the budget to force them through. Cutting $50 million in taxes for out of state businesses. Creating a new Department of Energy with no hearings or public  input. Enabling taxpayer dollars to go toward private and religious schools and other private “education” programs with essentially zero oversight, conditions or accountability (or limits; now it’s $7 million over budget). Spending $10 million to bail out mostly wealthy individuals who lost money in a specific investment. As they say, “Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.” This budget reflected the values of a small minority, not NH as a whole.

HB1221, requiring the state to provide 7.5% of municipal retirement costs to help ease the property tax burden. Unfortunately, the bill was amended by Republicans to make it a one-time deal (for FY23), and

7.5% still falls far short of the historical state contribution  (30%, prior to 2010), but it will have real positive effects on Manchester programs next year.

Redistricting bills (collectively) — gerrymandering NH House, Senate, and Executive Council seats to make districts less competitive (which we know reduces the feeling that your vote matters, and tends to decrease interest and participation in elections) and give the GOP an artificial advantage in state lawmaking.

HB103, establishing a dental benefit under the state Medicaid program. Delaying dental care leads to a lot of physical pain and much  more expensive treatment down the road, allowing dental work to be covered by Medicaid will prevent this. (and it’s always been kind of ridiculous that oral care isn’t part of regular healthcare…)

SB 61, prohibiting collective bargaining agreements that require all employees at a site to contribute to the labor union that they benefit from (“right to work”). Fortunately, this was killed on the house floor (narrowly), but it would have had significant negative effects on many working class people.