CONCORD – On Friday, GOP House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, appointed three state representatives who have opposed remote sessions to the Committee to Review Authorizing Governing Bodies of Municipalities to Hold Virtual Meetings and to Study Remote Access to Meetings Under RSA 91-A.
Packard appointed Rep. Jordan Ulery, R-Hudson, Kurt Wuelper, R-Strafford, and Bob Greene, R-Hudson who have been opposed to remote meetings, according to Deputy House Democratic Leader Rep. David Cote, D-Nashua.
“Pursuant to HB 108-FN (2021), I am pleased to appoint you to the Committee to Review Authorizing Governing Bodies of Municipalities to Hold Virtual Meetings and to Study Remote Access to Meetings Under RSA 91-A,” Packard said in a memorandum. “The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named Senate member. I appreciate your willingness to serve and would be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.”
Cote said: “Today, in appointing three Republican representatives who have a record of voting against measures to allow for remote participation in the legislature, Speaker Packard and House Republicans are signaling once again that they do not want to work together to increase transparency and protect legislators from deadly disease. It is disappointing that Democratic voices were not included in the makeup of this committee as the bill passed in a bipartisan way last spring. It is undeniable that COVID-19 variants and New Hampshire caseloads are getting worse. It is imperative that a remote option be available to members and their constituents in the interest of public health and we must put aside partisanship and work together to protect one another.”