Beth Hamilton

Hello, I oppose this bill, or the replace all amendment to it. It would muzzle local officials from any form of advocacy, sharing of expertise, and educating the legislature on specific professional practices and policies that dictate the daily business of government. Those professionals who do the work related to bills passed in the legislature should have a way to voice their expertise on the matters. This bill would negatively impact local governments at all levels. It would negatively impact taxpayers, too. Nearly every new cost on municipalities or local governments are paid for by taxpayers in the form of increasing property taxes. Without local professional expertise, the legislature may not understand all fiscal impacts bills might have. This bill would also erode the trust that elected officials have previously had in the expertise of local officials, public employees, and those that carry out the jobs that bills passed by the legislature would impact. It would also reflect as taking away local control and input, as local officials would have no way of sharing their local points of view. This does not serve the people of New Hampshire, the taxpayers, or the local government entities in each community. On behalf of a professional that has worked directly for municipal and state government, works as a contractor in municipalities currently, and as a resident of Concord who is aware of property taxes and how they are calculated, I implore you to oppose this bill.