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5/28/2010

What They're Saying About Sen. Hassan's Attack On Free Speech

"I would be embarrassed to say I am a member of the Democratic Party today. I don't think most Democrats support this attack, this gag rule on free speech,"
- Rep Jim Splaine (Union Leader, 5/28/10)

·         The NH ACLU And The NHGOP Both Criticized The Backroom Negations Used To Craft The Legislation: “The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union and the state Republican Party criticized the process of crafting the proposal, saying the amendment was proposed too late in the legislative process to receive proper vetting.” (Concord Monitor, 5/28/10)
 
o   The NH ACLU Called It A “Gross Violation Of The Legislative Process”: “Claire Ebel of the N.H. Civil Liberties Union also opposes the bill, which she said represents ‘a gross violation of the legislative process.’ She argued that ‘there were a great many people and organizations who would have weighed in on this bill had they known it was going to be discussed.’” (Union Leader, 5/28/10)
 
·         The New Hampshire Center For Nonprofits Called The Legislation “Unconstitutional”: “The amendment appears to be unconstitutional. It would curtail 1st Amendment free speech rights, free association rights, and privacy rights for nonprofits.” (NH Nonprofits Website)
 
·         Cornerstone Policy Research Called The Legislation “Blatantly Unconstitutional”: “‘The fact of the matter is that this proposed amendment is still blatantly unconstitutional as it puts unlawful prior restraints on free speech as well as unlawfully regulates certain kinds of communications,’ [Cornerstone Executive Director Kevin] Smith said.” (Nashua Telegraph, 5/28/10)
 
·         The NH ACLU Called On Legislators From Both Parties To Reject This “Unconstitutional Attack On Free Speech”: “’We call on Democrats and Republicans in both chambers to reject this outrageous and unconstitutional attack on free speech in New Hampshire.’ Claire Ebel, executive director of the Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, said” (Nashua Telegraph, 5/28/10)
 
·         Democrat State Rep. Timothy Horrigan Called The Legislation “Unconstitutional”: “As for the amendment itself, it appears, even after several re-readings, to be well-intentioned but unconstitutional.” (BlueHampshire, 5/26/10).
 
·         Democrat State Rep. Jim Splaine Said The Legislation Would “Chill” Free Speech: “It’s chilling, even frightening, that some people might have to be concerned that if they participate in the democratic process, that they can be exposed, challenged, intimidated or have to go to court because the law questions their involvement.” (Nashua Telegraph, 5/28/10)
 
·         The American Cancer Society Said That The Legislation Will Limit Its Ability To “Hold Elected Officials Responsible On Cancer Issues”: “Peter Ames, a lobbyist with the American Cancer Society, said the national nonprofit is concerned the proposal could prevent it from publishing lists of lawmakers' votes….’We want to make sure we hold elected officials responsible on cancer issues.’” (Concord Monitor, 5/27/10)
 
·         Liberal Columnist Susan Bruce Said That Small Non-Profits Would Be “Unfairly Burdened” By The Legislation: “I’ve made my opposition to this bill clear to my elected officials. I’ve been involved with a number of small non-profits who would be unfairly burdened by this legislation.” (BlueHampshire, 5/27/10)
 
·         Cornerstone Policy Research, Planned Parenthood New England, The New Hampshire Republican Party And The New Hampshire American Civil Liberties Union ALL Oppose This Attack On Free Speech: "There's very few issues Cornerstone and Planned Parenthood are going to agree on," [Kevin] Smith said. "This is one of those issues." (Concord Monitor, 5/27/10)