By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD — The State House mask mandate approved last year was lifted Friday in an 8-4 party line vote of the Joint Legislative Facilities Committee.
Democrats argued it would be prudent to continue the mandate, especially for legislative staff who have to work in the State House and due to the demographics of a larger number of older legislators.
But Republicans said the statewide mask mandate has been lifted by Gov. Chris Sununu, who is also lifting many restrictions, and it is time to return to individual choice.
Senate President Chuck Morse, R-Salem, and the chair of the committee, noted the governor’s statement that masks are a good policy but not required any longer, and the legislature should lead by example.
He said the Senate chief of staff has worked with staff to make sure they are comfortable opening the building to legislators. Eliminating the mask mandate does not mean the guidance has changed, Morse said, noting if you are close to someone wear a mask.
It will be up to staff what they want to do, he said.
“Opening the building is coming, but no one is suggesting doing that right now,” Morse said. “But it will come shortly.”
House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, echoed Morse and noted the State House is the people’s House and belongs to the citizens not just legislators.
“It’s the people’s building, it is not ours and it is time to let them back in, it is time to open it up to the public,” Packard said.
The State House will remain closed to the public with only legislators and staff allowed in the building, along with the governor and his staff, and the secretary of state’s office personnel.
The Senate will meet in Representatives Hall Thursday for the first time this session to allow for social distancing. The Senate met several times in Representative Hall last year during the pandemic, while the House met at Whittemore Center on the University of New Hampshire’s Durham campus. This session the House is meeting at the NH Sportsplex in Bedford.
On Friday, Democrats said they should continue to be diligent to protect the health of lawmakers, staff, and the public while the pandemic continues.
House Minority Leader Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, noted a House member was hospitalized this week for COVID-19 and had participated in committee hearings last week.
“Not everyone is fully vaccinated, and we should be as diligent as possible,” Cushing said. “We should keep the mask policy in place until we get a handle on this.”
He asked if the Legislature’s physician had been consulted about lifting the mask mandate in the State House, and Morse said he was consulted about many things including the Senate returning to the building for its meeting Thursday.
After the meeting, Senate Democrats released a statement saying they did not receive a direct answer whether the legislative public health liaison, Dr. Ballard, had been consulted about eliminating the mask mandate for the State House.
“Today’s vote by the Republican members of the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities to remove the state house mask mandate was a dangerous decision that unnecessarily puts the health of both elected officials and the General Court staff at risk,” said Senate Minority Leader Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, and Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua. “This premature decision shows a blatant disregard for public health and the CDC’s recommendations regarding wearing masks indoors was nothing more than political grandstanding.”
Committee member Karen Ebel, D-New London, said the ventilation system in the Legislative Office Building is broken and noted the legislature contains many senior citizens who are more at risk if they contract the disease even if they are vaccinated.
And she noted the governor continues to renew the state of emergency which means the pandemic is ongoing.
The universal best practices approved by the governor’s task force on reopening includes a “Swiss Cheese” approach of masks, she said, in conjunction with social distancing and good ventilation.
“It is too early to remove the mask mandate,” Ebel said, “especially if you’re thinking about letting the public back in the building.”
But Republicans said it is time to move on and begin opening up the state and allow individuals to make their own choices.
Remote Hearings
Cushing sought assurances the proposed $21 million legislative budget for the next biennium included money to continue remote committee meetings and House and Senate sessions.
“Public participation in the process by any standard has been a success,” he said earlier at a video press conference, “with many more people observing the legislative process.”
Cushing and Soucy submitted a letter to House and Senate leadership asking to ensure funding for remote access is included in the state’s next biennium budget now before the Senate Finance Committee.
“For a citizens’ legislature,” Cushing said, “it is important for citizens to engage with us.”
Morse said he has reviewed past budgets and what has been spent, and he believes there is ample money in the proposed budget to continue to pay for remote public access.
Later at the House facilities meeting, both Cushing and Ebel stressed the importance of continuing electronic access and participation in legislative committee meetings saying it has greatly expanded the public’s involvement.
Packard said he has not made a decision “one way or the other” on whether to continue remote access and wants to get through this year’s session before deciding.
He said while remote access has worked well, he sees a need for legislators to meet and interact with each other personally.
“We’ve lost a lot of camaraderie (you get) when you meet, sit next to someone and go to lunch with a colleague,” Packard said, noting he used to go to lunch with both Democrats and Republicans, which gives you a different perspective.
COVID Costs
The House has spent $350,000 it had not budgeted in holding meetings outside the State House to provide social distancing during sessions including two last year in Durham and five others in Bedford this year.
House leaders believe they will be reimbursed with COVID-19 relief money for the unexpected expense. The request is being reviewed by the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery and they expect to submit other related expenses yet to come this session for reimbursement as well.
Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.
