You mean the only additional benefit we should get from the state...

There are some legislators who receive "benefits" from other sources, such as "scholarships" from ALEC for lavish trips, or campaign assistance from AFP in the form of multiple attack mailings against opponents.

Letting the few legislators who might use a State Park in for free is a small, very small, way to honor the long hours of practically volunteer work they do for you. I was chatting with a fellow legislator from the north country describe the harrowing journey to Concord that morning driving down the Notch. Two hours it took and dedication.... Some folks have only back roads to travel, some spend their whole week and twelve hours or more a day in Concord or traveling around the state.

People take time from their work or their business, from their home and family... And people gripe about a ski pass at a state park?

Geeze Louise...

What about the benefits of the Occupy-NH group?

If politicians can get a free pass, then why not police, firefighters, EMT, etc. Just because the state owns a ski mountain does not mean that state workers should have free access. You don't get free parking at a state owned beach....

Gee, I never thought of that gents... Occupy provides just what? And fire and police get paid $100 a year do they?

"And fire and police get paid $100 a year do they?"

Next time you take a job, find out how much it pays first. Less disappointment and complaining afterwards...

GIVE EM ALL A FREE PASS !!!....... the longer we can keep some of these idiots on the slopes and out of Concord the better off we will all be

Seamus Carty, how did police, fire, state employees or checking into how much the job pays get in the topic?
If access to state parks or ski passes where always included, that was part of the pay. Again there may have been an incentive to go out and see these properties. Before they increased the budget it would be nice to know some of these reps knew where the properties where. But then why would anyone think of that?
You sit at home and belly ache about your neighbor working for you for nothing. To bad you did not have that control over the president and his wife!

Representative Thompson:

I think that most reasonable folks would agree that $100 per year is a pittance of compensation for all of the work that legislators do for us. On the other hand, how many folks recognize that it was written into our constitution in the 19 century? Members of your party have introduced several potential changes to our constitution this session. Maybe such a change for compensation should be considered?

And I think that most reasonable folks would agree that mileage should be paid. But how many people get somewhere around fifty cents a mile for reimbursement in other jobs?

Don't try to justify additional perks because the salary is so ridiculously low.

Yes, legislators should be paid more than $100 a year. Ridiculous, especially for the towns and cities who don't live close to Concord. It actually costs money to be a legislator in NH, which limits the number of people who can afford to run!

Imagine the outrage across the state if we voted ourselves a raise? ~ Representative Vail

Mr. GRADY,
Do you not understand that the Reps voted against this? And Sonia, even people who cannot afford to run, ran, and cannot afford to serve, serve. We have some work to do to make NH better. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices. Glad to have you in support of all we do.

Ms. Vail,

I am well aware that the House voted on Wednesday to defeat this bill. And I am pleased that a least a majority of both parties made the right decision.

I agree!!

Who really cares! This is just another way to slap the politician. While they sit in a stuffy room listening to people rant and rave about mostly bull, you take away something very few ever even use. I can't believe 70 and 80 year old's are killing the electric bill at the slope!
People hate politicians, period!

I think they float us through the tolls because they don't want all the red tape of reimbursing us. My round trip is four toll boths each day I'm required to be in Concord. That's if I start at my home. If I went from my sister's house it would be nothing. We have the EZPass system and it gets us there, and also can be reviewed at any time in terms of the expense. I don't know of any Rep that would be motivated to travel to any place in the state only to get free tolls.

Not that anyone would know, how long since they changed the pay? And most are all retirees!

Lisa, you realize they make $100 a year...now if you live an hour or an hour and a half from Concord, it's actually going to cost you money to be a legislator and you need to have time to go....most people can't afford to be a legislator....I don't care for the ski pass proposal, but I do think it should be a paid position. $100 is a joke and this was written in the constitution in the 19th century.

Yes, but imagine the effect raising their pay would have on the state budget! With programs and services being cut left and right how can we justify potentially millions of dollars in salaries for the legislators. As Tom Linehan noted above, NH has a citizen legislature. I have no problem with the tolls or even the ski passes - how many of the (mostly elderly) legislators are going to take undue advantage of this "perk" anyway?

I voted against the bill, I am a Democrat...

The majority of the house voted NO. I can't say the same about when the Republicans wanted to eliminate kindergarten or lower the school drop out age to 16, or make school for kids "non-mandatory"!

We always ""had"" kindergarten Sonia. Just in case you did not know this was not a new concept. Forcing everyone to pay for it for the rest of their lives and taking control over the private sector is all that changed. All the private kindergartens closed and now we have another state regulated bureaucracy.

Patriot, you had kindergarten for the rich, private schools only. Now it is a public kindergarten in Merrimack and Dover and many other places....I'm sure, one of the last developed countries in the world to keep up with kindergarten...so behind. http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x1876446965/Derry-opens-doors-to-public-kindergarten

Sonia, you are off the wall! Not rich now nor ever and I went. Everyone I know went and it is you that put the line in the sand with respect to rich are the only one that went to kindergarten.
Yes we where the last to jump on kindergarten and that is why we are so far behind the rest of the world! Give me a break

Public kindergarten is subsidized daycare for those parents who decided to have children; while also choosing to not provide the necessary parental involvement to raise and teach their own children prior to first grade.

Applejack, you could say that for 1st grade, second grade, etc.Makes no sense. Children attend kindergarten to learn to communicate,play, & interact with others appropriately.A teacher provides various materials & activities to motivate these children to learn the language & vocabulary of reading,mathematics,& science,as well as that of music,art,& social behaviors.For children who previously have spent most of their time at home,kindergarten may serve the purpose of helping them adjust to being apart from their parents without anxiety.It may be their first opportunity to play & interact with a consistent group of children on a regular basis. Kindergarten may also allow mothers,fathers, or other caregivers to go back to part-time or full-time employment. A kindergarten (from German Kindergarten (help·info), literally "children's garden") is a preschool educational institution for children.The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play & activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg for children to transition from home to school. His goal was that children should be taken care of & nourished in "children's gardens" like plants in a garden. Singing and growing plants have become an integral part of lifelong learning. Playing, activities, experience, and social interaction are now widely accepted as essential aspects of developing skills and knowledge.

Sonia,
No I would agree if you said that the same could be said for Pre-school or Nursery school, however, 1-12 have been the standard and only recently has Kindergarten been subsidized.
All of those things that you mention are important, but they are not the role of government...they are the parent's responsibility! Socialization, crafts, gardening, playing games, etc, etc...ad infinitum.
Too many parents just want to plant them in front of the tv or video game and then get them into school as quickly as possible so that they can get back to their own life ASAP! It is actually quite sad and I feel badly for the children in these situations!
There are plenty of groups available in the towns to socialize and to suggest that government should be responsible to take on the babysitting role at age 5 is just a progressive ideal that tries to fill a void that modern parenting has created!

Of course Sandra, get elected!
Spend a thousand dollars for a job that pays $100.00. Goes to show you how smart these people are.

At least the people that don't or can't ski would get something!

So, members of our armed forces would have to pay $53 yet the politicians want to be able to ski for free?

Most are over 70, how many trips can they make?

So take something from one group and give it to the kids? Got to be a democrat!
WOW!!!!!

Mike I will go along with that as long as they where on the front lines and not pushing papers in California!
Some how I can't think of Al Gore getting the same break as the person in the swamps.

That's why I voted against the bill

How about the potato Bill?

Jan how many bills where sponsored this year?

Most of the house voted NO.

The Potato Bill was to help the 4th graders in a study of history and how the process in Concord works. It was entirely educational - and it took just a few minutes of our time and help create a collegial atmosphere... something everyone, left - right - top - bottom, told me was missing for the last two years.

And you have compete access to all the bills here: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/default.aspx

There were 801 bills this year per this page

Thank you Jan

We voted no. Who posted this article after the fact?

Sue,
It was just a poll, as the article explains.
It was posted because most people have zero idea what takes place in the Statehouse!

Funny how people are quick to judge but wouldn't serve...when you are willing to give up 30 hrs a week to drive to Concord and not get paid, plus the wear and tear on your car, and accept that you will get $100 to help NH people or stop radicals from hurting NH people, then maybe someone will listen to the whining....if they don't rais the pay, then yes they should get a break for their gas since many have to drive far and that takes away more time from their day. I'm happy they are doing this, I don't think I or many other people I know would want to offer their precious time for $100 a year.

Thank you, Sonia. It's true. If you think you can do better, go and testify for and against what you want. All hearings of all bills are public. What you say here does not count as participating in your state. God help you! Write your legislators, learn the process, respect your state, and NOTE THE FACT that almost all of us voted against this bill.

I agree with you regarding the ski passes. However I do agree with Jan Schmidt regarding the potato bill - a good educational experience for the kids and it took minimal time for the legislature.

Voluntary service on your terms is one thing, but the legislation dictates the time you can volunteer! I don't like the ski pass idea and I'm glad it was voted down by most of the house; but I do think they should be paid, especially the people who have to take extra time, gas and wear and tear on their cars because they live 1-2 hrs away from Concord. I volunteer a lot, but no one dictates when I'm going to volunteer. Legislators are public servants.

However, if they own skis and feel up to the challenge, all state legislators should be encouraged to use the vast system of cross-country ski trails we have here in New Hampshire as a primary means of traveling to and from the state house all winter long.

This is exactly what I was thinking. I have no problem with a limited number of passes - not a season pass though.

A little pregnant! Are we kidding people?
$100.00 a year $200.00 2 years, $2,000.00 for 20 years!!!!!!! 30% of one year property tax bill.
Never heard anything so stupid. I bet you will next want them to report how much cream they use in their coffee.

In a few words, you, without insulting anyone, stated the truth.
In 1969 we moved to NH from Mass. for my husbands job and we still live here.
We loved this State and the difference between the politics in NH and Mass. Now there is almost no difference . Everyone wants something for nothing.
If you do not want to Volunteer for the State Legislature do not run. All costs to travel back and forth to Concord should be reimbursed in full.
No freebies at all. Just like the dreaded Private Sector.

DLC, great that you and so many other Mass people moved here only to now say NH is what you had/brought here?
"EVERYONE wants something for nothing?" They get $100.00 per year, who is getting something for nothing? Just in case you didn't know, this use to be a perk until you moved here. Now you want their time for nothing! Opps $100.00 per year.

You realize they only get $100 a year, how is that
the same benefits and responsibilities as any other citizen?" Are you spending 30 hrs of your time in a week for $100 a year? Other citizens are getting paid for their 30 hrs of work for their responsibilities.

Not paying legislators limits the positions to only the people who can afford to run and have 30 hrs of free time a week. Not exactly equal opportunity unless you are retired, disabled, own your own business where you can control your own hours of income, etc.

To show you how little you know, when we moved here in 1969 my husband opened up two plants in this State that employed over 400 people for many years.
Unfortunately as with many manufacturing jobs they disappeared because of the economy. We brought our conservative ideas and values to NH with us and still practice them. My first encounter with the true NH values was when I went to get my NH license in 1969. I was used to the Mass. attitude of shut up and wait till I am good and ready to wait on you. Instead I received a warm welcome to the State of NH. Anything we can do to help you feel free to call. I was overwhelmed with the attitude of the State employees.
Unfortunately this has changed and it shows in your mean spirited reply.
If you just got out of the wrong side of the bed this am I forgive your rudeness.
Have a nice day.

So DLC I should have felt great reading this opening; "In a few words, you, without insulting anyone,"
I did not drive across the border and fall in love. I was here and have had to convert to the mind set of the people that followed you here! We use to be nice until we where told how backwards we where. And now we are know as Massachusetts North. Rude? Sorry, but yes I am just a little indignant that some how the few that get a free pass to a ski tow is outrages. You still get a pretty good deal, 400 state reps for $100.00 per year is not a bad price. How much did you pay your 400 employees per year?
So to get it straight;
You had, " I was used to the Mass. attitude of shut up and wait till I am good and ready to wait on you."
You feel in love with, "Instead I received a warm welcome to the State of NH. Anything we can do to help you feel free to call."
Now you have, "Unfortunately this has changed"
Rude started when you agreed with Clusterliver. Just because you didn't type it doesn't negate the fact that you slammed every state rep. They (state reps) work hard for the pittance they receive and your scrooge attitude was also rude. And I hope you have a good chew on your thoughts.

"no one complains!"

Runaway spending in DC has caused a new political party, The Tea Party, to form. Lots of people are complaining...

Allo of a sudden you care Patriot? Didn't hear you complain when Bush took the most vacations than any other president! Even President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was in office 12 years from 1933 to 1945, was on vacation less days than President Bush at 958 days. Calls to several Presidential Libraries reveal that no President can come close to Bush’s 1,020 days on vacation in an 8 year period. Even Lyndon Johnson, who spent 484 days at his ranch in Texas and at Camp David during his presidency, came in under Bush’s vacation time. Some claim the cost of Bush’s frequent trips to Crawford, Texas cost taxpayers upwards of $20 million.... http://politic365.com/obamas-vacations-of-any-president-bush-racked-up-the-most/.

I always cared Sonia, renting the entire Taj Mahal seems a little more than flying to Texas. But through your eyes I can see the similarities.
Whats up with the president not spending time with the little lady on vacation? Things a little rocky on the home front?

Why do you ask Patriot? Do you have a thing for the President?

Yes Sonia it is his ears!!!!!! They drive me wild!

You brought it up Patriot...all worried about the first lady's relationship with her husband which is off topic, so I figured maybe you had a thing for the President since you were sooooo interested in their marriage.

Actually I was more concerned that he would rather spend time with Casanova than with his family. We might have been able to save some tax payer money on security.

Sonia whether it is a state rep skiing or the presidents wife skiing dealing with where our tax money goes is on topic. What the reps in this state did was try and save pennies. They are so concerned about public opinion they only proved what sheep they are.
Now the president showed real leadership by taking separate vacations while most have a hard time filling their gas tanks.

Something to be said for keeping the buggers busy. This flock is particularly inept.

Actually a lot to be said for keeping these buggers busy with the irrelevant.

Which is why most of the house voted NO. Lots of dumb ideas come up, can't stop them...but at least they can all vote NO, which makes me happy.

Tell Governor Hassan to start with a real budget. One that does not include pretend revenues. One that actually balances. Only then can I take Hassan, Norelli and you seriously. One that does not tackle 11 Billion in fat laden expenditures. One that does not kiss the asses of the Unions in this state. One that does not kiss off the Taxpayers.

jack, do your homework, in all the states that passed "right to work" for less bills that attack unions have the most poverty, lowest wages, less health, and the least education. If you want that, I suggest you move to Mississippi or Lousiana, I'm sure they'll welcome you with open arms! http://www.redstate.com/jasonahart/2012/12/11/reality-vs-union-right-to-work-is-wrong-infographic/ http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/22/what-does-it-say-that-most-of-the-10-poorest-states-are-republican/

Jack, You should contact the governor yourself.

ha ha, it was defeated because most of the legislators disagreed for comon sense reasons. Thankful.

And you would know being part of the "Finge" in these parts how?

If you don't like the compensation, don't take the job. No one is forced to be a state rep. There are plenty of applicants for the position.

Peter,
It was never meant to be adjusted. It is a citizen legislature.
Their expenses should be covered for travel, however, if all that they are going to be is a rubber stamp for the National parties with which they identify--then even $100 is too much pay.
In fact, the National Parties should pay the state for the privilege of letting their foot soldiers poison the local politics!

Dear Seamus, please speak to your party leader before you make assumptions that there are plenty of "applicants for the position". You really don't know what you are talking about. Our house is the second largest in the country next to Washington.

No, $100.00 was worth a little more 100 years ago.
*
You pay their salaries? Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. I don't think you can fly $100.00 per year as salary. But I am sure what you have saved by cutting out ski passes you help you pay for a tank of gas. Just joking!

Just read a story where the average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.
The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
[Art.] 15. [Compensation of the Legislature.]
Amended 1889 setting salary for members at $200 and for officers at $250 with $3 per day for special sessions.

News Flash, you must not read your own posts! I'll take that as a compliment coming from you! :)