Debrah Howes

AFT-NH opposed HB 1585. We feel that the NH Retirement System should invest in a manner that will bring the best returns while minimizing risks. To that end, precluding whole areas of investment, due to political views on environmental issues, social issues or other viewpoints has the potential for limiting the long term financial performance of the funds invested. This bill will make it likely that the portfolio of potential invesments will be less diverse, there will be an incomplete analysis of the risks involved , and there will likely be missed opportunites to get a higher rate of return on investments. All of these would be due to trying to avoid crossing a line into something that someone considers and ESG investment. The main function of retirement system investments is to maximize returns while minimizing risk. For that reason, we oppose this bill.