North Country representatives were evenly split on the vote for House Bill 1546, which NHPR reportedallows “any employer with a religious objection to deny workers insurance coverage for contraceptives.”
Supporters of the bill said it was about religious freedom.
Opponents note the Catholic church helped draft the bill and say it supports its anti-contraception views.
The bill passed 196 – 150 and now goes to the Senate.
All seven of the representatives from the North Country who favored the bill were Republicans. But two Republicans joined five Democrats in opposing the legislation.
North Country representatives voting in favor of the bill were:
* Lyle Bulis (Republican) of Littleton
* Duffy Daugherty (Republican) of Colebrook.
* Edmond Gionet (Republican) of Lincoln.
* Herb Richardson (Republican) of Lancaster
* Larry Rappaport (Republican) of Colebrook.
* Gregory Sorg (Republican) of Easton.
* John Tholl (Republican) of Whitefield
North Country representatives voting against the bill were:
* Gary Coulombe (Democrat) of Berlin
* William Remick (Republican) of Lancaster
* Evalyn Merrick (Democrat) of Lancaster
* Kathleen Taylor (Democrat) of Franconia
* Robert Theberge (Democrat) of Berlin
* Yvonne Thomas (Democrat) of Berlin
* Marc Tremblay (Republican) of Berlin
North Country representatives excused from voting:
* William Hatch (Democrat) of Gorham
* Stephanie Eaton (Republican) of Littleton
To see other legislators voted on this - and other bills - go here.
