by NH Senator Andy Sanborn
Audio of Senator Andy Sanborn talking with Brian Tilton on WTPL 107.7 FM about HB 1168…
Governor Lynch says stealing is OK, just don’t take a lot, but if you do steal and get caught, don’t worry, the State will take care of you… As a business owner, employer, and someone who believes we should maintain a rational moral code, I can’t wrap my arms around this latest law enacted by our Governor and the legislature in Concord. For anyone who wonders if our current crop of leaders in Concord is out of touch, maybe this is the hand in the cookie jar, so to speak.
This is just another perfect example of how twisted the perception of right and wrong is in Concord, and why so many of us want to see a change in this disappointing leadership.
Last week, the Governor signed Bill HB 1168 into law, effective September 6, which will force business owners to reward employees caught stealing. The law, filed under RSA 282-A:35 states that an employee only commits “Gross Misconduct” if they steal more than $500 from their employer. So, under this new law, if an employer fires an employee for stealing, the State will allow that employee to collect unemployment checks, of which that money comes from a tax assessment of all business owners in the State.
And, it’s not just if an employee steals from the boss, same thing if an employee is caught stealing from a customer, another employee or the cancer donation jar on the counter.
Until now, the State of New Hampshire did not pay unemployment benefits to an employee who was terminated for “Gross Misconduct,” which included stealing. However, today, the Governor put a minimum level for what the State defines as wrong. Now, that amount is $500.00. So someone can steal $499.99 and the State will allow that person to collect unemployment.
To satisfy this law, one has to wonder if employers will have to put the “You can steal up to $500.00” clause in their employee handbooks or if it will just become part of the educational curriculum in our school systems?
Unemployment benefits are and should be designed to help get people back on their feet if they have been laid off. Under this administration, it has become a vehicle that looks to reward bad behavior. This act shows just how far from reality our State leaders have strayed.
At a time when we need to focus on encouraging businesses to hire the 45,000 unemployed, our Governor is clearing the way for employee theft.
At a time when we are trying to encourage businesses to expand within or into New Hampshire, our Governor is declaring that employee stealing is accepted.
At a time when our Governor has continually had his hand slapped for trying to steal money from Doctors (JUA Fund), local communities (loss of revenue sharing and LGA funds) and small business owner’s personal income (LLC income Tax), he says it’s OK if you steal just a little money.
Most know the Federal government will not pull us out of this recession. We, the great people of New Hampshire are going to pull ourselves out of it, and we can. It is just going to take some hard, honest work.
Its time to pick political leaders who understand right from wrong. Leaders who understand that common sense needs to be used. That understand stealing is wrong, no matter how small and that kind of behavior should not be rewarded. There isn’t a society, State, Nation or religion that condones this type of behavior. New Hampshire should not be leading the way on this…