Ruth Heden

Givies the Public Utilities Commission the power to force PSNH to sell its power plants. This bill also requires the state Site Evaluation Committee to address scenic impacts, sound impacts, fire protection plans, and more when evaluating wind farm proposals.

Voted against a casino

HB 1633 (2014)

Authorizes one casino in New Hampshire, regulated by the Gaming Commission.

Voted against allowing assisted suicide

HB 1325 (2014)

Allows physician-assisted suicide.

Voted against decriminalization of marijuana

HB 1625 (2014)

Decriminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.

Voted against reducing the fine for underage possession

HB 1486 (2014)

Decreases the fine for underage drinking from $300 to $100 on first offense and from $600 to $300 on a subsequent offense.

Voted against requiring network expansion

HB 1294 (2014)

Requires Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to allow any health provider into their network for the purpose of participating in the online health insurance exchange.

Voted for establishing crime of domestic violence

SB 318 (2014)

Establishes the crime of domestic violence.

Voted for minimum wage increase

HB 1403 (2014)

Raises the minimum wage, starting at $9 per hour.

Voted for repeal

HB 1170 (2014)

Repeals the death penalty.

Voted in favor of "Pay Equity Law"

SB 207 (2014)

“Pay Equity Law,” a bill to combat pay discrimination based on gender, forbidding employers from restricting employees from discussing wages, and allowing a three year deadline to report pay discrimination to the state (current deadline is one year).

Voted in favor of buffer zone around abortion clinics

SB 319 (2014)

Authorizes "buffer zones" for protestors around reproductive health clinics.

Voted in favor of including fetuses in murder statutes

HB 1503 (2014)

Originally written to include fetuses eight weeks and older as potential victims under first and second degree murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, and causing or aiding suicide. The House amended the bill to instead increase penalties for for manslaughter or negligent homicide causing a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Voted in favor of sending some surplus to DHHS

HB 1411 (2014)

Sends some of last year's budget surplus to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Voted to ban cell phone use

HB 1360 (2014)

Forbids cell phone use while driving, unless hands-free.

Voted to increase the gas tax

SB 367 (2014)

Increases the gas tax by four-cents per gallon and removes the toll at Exit 12 in Merrimack.

Voted to keep tolls

SB 3 (2014)

Removes all tolls in Merrimack.

Voted to send this bill to "interim study," which usually kills a bill in election years

SB 203 (2014)

Forbids the use of EBT cards or cash from EBT cards for alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, firearms, or adult entertainment.

Voted against repeal

HB 451 (2013)

Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a concealed firearm is valid, and repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.

Voted against "Right to Work"

HB 323 (2013)

Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.

Voted against a casino

SB 152 (2013)

Authorizes a casino.

Voted against legislative review of contracts

SB 153 (2013)

Gives the legislature power to review collective bargaining agreements entered into by the state.

Voted for budget

HB 1 (2013)

Final 2014-2015 state budget, including increased funding for higher education, increased funding for services for individuals with mental illness and/or other disabilities, no Medicaid expansion, and no gas tax increase.

Voted for changing RGGI

HB 306 (2013)

Changes RGGI to dedicate some of the proceeds to ratepayer rebates, and lowering the cap on carbon emissions, which will raise the cost of carbon credits to utilities and utility bills to consumers.

Voted for Medicaid expansion

HB 271 (2013)

Forbids NH from expanding Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Voted for medicinal marijuana

HB 573 (2013)

Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.

Voted for minimum wage increase

HB 501 (2013)

Sets the state minimum wage at $7.25, in place of federal minimum wage.

Voted for reallocating RGGI proceeds

HB 630 (2013)

Reallocates proceeds from RGGI to the low-income energy efficiency program.

Voted for

HB 2 (2013)

Makes various appropriations related to the budget bill, and establishes commissions to study Medicaid expansion and casino regulations.

Voted for

SB 1 (2013)

Increases the Research and Development tax credit.

Voted in favor

SB 163 (2013)

Establishes a commission to recommend legislation to prepare for projected sea level rise and other coastal and coastal watershed hazards.

Voted to ban private prisons

HB 443 (2013)

Bans prison privatization.

Voted to increase the tobacco tax

HB 659 (2013)

Increases the tobacco tax.

Voted to limit deadly force

HB 135 (2013)

Limits the use of deadly force, repealing "Stand Your Ground" in favor of the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force within their homes without retreating, but anywhere else they would have to attempt retreat before resorting to deadly force.

Voted to repeal

HB 370 (2013)

Repeals the education tax credit program, in which businesses receive tax breaks for contributing to a scholarship fund for low income students that wish to attend private school.

Voted to revise voter ID laws

HB 595 (2013)

Revises 2011 voter ID law to delay requirement that poll workers photograph voters without ID; also allows student ID at polls.

Ruth Heden

Historical Details

Position on Issues

Should NH allow binding referendums?

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

Should NH pass a constitutional amendment giving the Legislature more control over the distribution of school funding?

Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?

Should NH keep the death penalty?

Should NH continue to use property taxes instead of a new broad-based tax, such as an income tax?

Should NH repeal same-sex marriage?

Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?

Should NH require motorcycle helmets?

Should NH require seat belts?

Voting Record

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