NH Senate Officially Elects New President

By Tony Schinella

Concord Patch editor

As expected, state Sen. Chuck Morse, R-Salem, is now the president of the Senate after a special session on Sept. 3, where state Sen. Peter Bragdon, R-Milford, stepped down from the position, after taking a job as the executive director of the Local Government Center. 

Morse thanked his colleagues for the responsibility of leading the body, saying he would work to ensure that the Senate was led with honesty and integrity. He pointed to his experience leading the Finance Committee and shepherding a budget through the Senate that everyone could support. 

“I pledge to you that this Senate will continue operating in an honest and collegial manner,” he said, adding that his door would always be open for Senators to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

In nominating Morse, state Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, the former Congressman pointed to both Bragdon and former Senate President state Sen. Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, saying Morse would rule with a “light touch” and would allow people to “work together” despite the partisan differences between Republicans and Democrats. He commended Morse’s work at Finance in getting a budget approved, despite the political divide.

Bradley said Bragdon paid “attention to detail” and was also “fair and transparent… while learning to be gracious in the chair.”

Larsen seconded the nomination of Morse, saying she was hopeful that assurances Democrats were given about fairness would occur. Specifically, Larsen pointed to Medicare expansion, taking a more political tone with her seconding. She noted that the program would bring the state billions in federal dollars to help guarantee that 58,000 people in New Hampshire who didn’t currently have healthcare would receive it. Larsen added the Senate worked best when the President treated all as equals and believed Morse would lead it that way.

“I believe he understands that the people of the state of New Hampshire elected each of us 24 Senators to ensure their voice and their vote is heard,” she said.

Before exiting, Bragdon said he hoped he would be remembered during his three years for leading with integrity and being honest, while allowing everyone to have their say during hearings, without retribution.

“I’ve always tried to treat everybody fairly,” he said.

Later, during an opportunity to offer comments during personal privileges, state Sen. Russell Prescott, R-Kingston, may have thrown down the gauntlet to what the future holds for the Senate. 

Prescott countered Larsen’s comments about Medicare expansion by saying that his company was receiving health insurance premium increases of 29 percent next year due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. He said he will be meeting with his 40 employees later this week to discuss how the company will pay for increased costs. 

Prescott ended his comments by saying it was important for the Senate to not make the burden on small businesses even worse than it already is.