Expect a veto fight over the so-called “Right to Work” bill (see our earlier dispatch here.)
House Bill 474 would prevent New Hampshire’s public sector unions from collecting fees from non-union employees who are nonetheless covered under the union’s collective bargaining agreements. The bill is sponsored by Rep. William Smith (R-New Castle).
The Senate’s 16-8 vote to pass an amended version of the bill on April 20 hit the veto-proof mark with no room to spare. The House yesterday voted to pass the Senate’s amended version, but missed the veto-proof mark, with a vote of 255-140. It appears the House has lost some steam for the measure since its February vote of 221-131.
But House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) wasted no time in calling for Lynch to sign the bill into law. “Right to Work is the single greatest opportunity to create jobs in New Hampshire that the legislature will pass this year,” O’Brien said in a press release. “This means more manufacturing jobs, more service jobs and more companies coming to the Granite State to grow. If Governor Lynch is committed to growing our economy and creating jobs, he will sign this legislation at the first opportunity.”
The State Employees Association of New Hampshire, on the other hand, has taken to calling HB 474 “Right to Work for Less.” The union says it overturns decades of Republican and Democratic leadership respect for collective bargaining rights and essentially tells employers how to run their businesses. SEA President Diana Lacey called on Lynch to veto the bill and applauded the 140 lawmakers who voted against it.
The House’s concurrence with the Senate’s amendment means that Lynch has five days to sign the bill into law or veto it. Alternatively, he simply do neither, in which case it would become law without his signature — but that’s not likely.
If Lynch vetoes HB 474, a two-thirds majority vote will be required in both the House and Senate to override his decision. Expect a bruising rhetorical battle.
This Daily Briefing was written by Michael McCord.
We’d also like to hear from you: What bills are you tracking and which ones should Lynch sign or veto?
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