William Butynski
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2014
Voted against allowing physician assisted suicide (HB 1325)
For| Read My Position
NH Elects Survey, 2010
"Since about 45 percent of state monies are allocated to local communities, major cuts in state spending could lead to even more pressure on local governments to increase local property taxes. Therefore, we need to seriously explore some revenue enhancements. Besides video lottery terminals at a limited number of casinos, we need to explore the possibility of changing our tax structure so that wealthy individuals in N.H. are no longer being subsidized by proportionately much higher taxes on the majority of our citizens who earn less."
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2014
Voted to repeal the death penalty (HB 1170)
Other| Read My Position
NH Elects Survey, 2010
The State needs to work on an ongoing basis to monitor and support the vitality of our NH economy. Small businesses not only provide most of the jobs for our people, but also they are a major source of our State revenues. One example of what is being done right now is the work of a new Commission to Study Business Taxes. The membership of this Commission consists primarily of NH business leaders. Given the high level of taxes on businesses in our State, my hope is that the Commission will soon develop recommendations for tax changes that will reduce the tax burden on business, particularly on those businesses that grow jobs here in our State, rather than shipping jobs overseas. Overall, and particularly in comparison to other states, the NH economy is doing reasonably well. We are leaders in our region, and second in the nation, in terms of job growth. However, to maintain that leadership we must continue to do more to support the many small businesses that drive our economy and job growth.
Other| Read My Position
NH Elects Survey, 2010
I originally ran for office because I was upset with the state leaders who had changed local education funding formulas that resulted in Winchester and Hinsdale losing substantial state monies that were then transferred to much wealthier communities. I am happy to report that although education funding formulas are likely to continue to be debated annually, so far our communities have regained and maintained reasonable levels of support from the state. More recently, I have worked with others to try to maintain and grow jobs here in the state, while reducing expenditures and enhancing revenues to balance the budget. The good news is that the state completed the most recent fiscal year with a surplus of $70 million, and revenues for the current fiscal year are on track with projections. However, the next biennial budget for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 will be difficult to balance. I believe that I can contribute both my experience and common sense thinking to assist in dealing with this critical task. I support government transparency and accountability for all monies expended. Other issues that I am particularly concerned about include: preserving essential services for children, the disabled, the mentally ill, and senior citizens; dealing with problems such as the continuing high costs of purchasing health insurance; preserving environmental treasures such as Pisgah Park for future generations; and changing taxes so that they are more equitable and so our small businesses can continue to grow jobs. Although it will be difficult given the State's many needs, I will continue to try to reduce property taxes for working people.
Voting Record
HB 1325 (2014)
Allows physician-assisted suicide.
SB 319 (2014)
Authorizes "buffer zones" for protestors around reproductive health clinics.
HB 1625 (2014)
Decriminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
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.
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.
HB 1508 (2014)
Terminates New Hampshire’s participation in the Common Core educational standards.
SB 318 (2014)
Establishes the crime of domestic violence.
SB 413 (2014)
Expands Medicaid eligibility, using private insurance wherever possible.
HB 1403 (2014)
Raises the minimum wage, starting at $9 per hour.
HB 1170 (2014)
Repeals the death penalty.
HB 1602 (2014)
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.
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).
HB 1633 (2014)
Authorizes one casino in New Hampshire, regulated by the Gaming Commission.
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.
HB 1411 (2014)
Sends some of last year's budget surplus to the Department of Health and Human Services.
HB 1360 (2014)
Forbids cell phone use while driving, unless hands-free.
SB 367 (2014)
Increases the gas tax by four-cents per gallon and removes the toll at Exit 12 in Merrimack.
SB 3 (2014)
Removes all tolls in Merrimack.
SB 203 (2014)
Forbids the use of EBT cards or cash from EBT cards for alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, firearms, or adult entertainment.
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.
HB 323 (2013)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 153 (2013)
Gives the legislature power to review collective bargaining agreements entered into by the state.
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.
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.
HB 271 (2013)
Forbids NH from expanding Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.
HB 573 (2013)
Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.
HB 501 (2013)
Sets the state minimum wage at $7.25, in place of federal minimum wage.
HB 630 (2013)
Reallocates proceeds from RGGI to the low-income energy efficiency program.
HB 2 (2013)
Makes various appropriations related to the budget bill, and establishes commissions to study Medicaid expansion and casino regulations.
SB 1 (2013)
Increases the Research and Development tax credit.
SB 163 (2013)
Establishes a commission to recommend legislation to prepare for projected sea level rise and other coastal and coastal watershed hazards.
HB 443 (2013)
Bans prison privatization.
SB 152 (2013)
Authorizes a casino.
HB 659 (2013)
Increases the tobacco tax.
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.
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.
HB 595 (2013)
Revises 2011 voter ID law to delay requirement that poll workers photograph voters without ID; also allows student ID at polls.
HB 1677 (2012)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 1264 (2012)
Establishes a religious exemption for individuals who do not wish to provide accommodations, goods, or services for same-sex marriages.
HB 330 (2011)
Repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
HB 1526 (2012)
Decriminalizes possession of 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
HB 1650 (2012)
Exempts foodstuffs grown or produced and then sold in New Hampshire from federal regulation.
HB 1560 (2012)
Establishes the interstate Health Care Compact, which provides that each member state shall have the authority to enact state laws that trump all federal laws regarding health care within its state.
HB 1705 (2012)
Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one.
HB 1658 (2012)
Limits financial assistance for mothers who have additional children while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The House and Senate amended the bill to instead establish an income and identity verification system for public assistance recipients.
HB 648 (2012)
Forbids the use of eminent domain for regional electricity projects when costs and benefits cannot be shared across the ISO - New England network.
HB 1383 (2012)
States that only United States citizens may receive in-state tuition at the University of New Hampshire.
HB 1595 (2012)
Limits primary elections to voters who have registered as party members.
HB 1482 (2012)
Limits the exemption from property taxation granted to charitable nonprofit hospitals only to the main campus of the hospital.
SB 409 (2012)
Allows medicinal marijuana through home growing.
HB 1405 (2012)
Allows local governments to establish moratoriums on refugee resettlement.
HB 1666 (2012)
Requires legislative approval of any collective bargaining agreement entered into by the state.
SB 372 (2012)
Establishes a tax credit for businesses that contribute to a scholarship fund for students who wish to attend private, parochial, or home schools.
SB 289 (2012)
Requires voters to present identification at polling places.
HB 1487 (2012)
Requires legislative approval for the expenditure of funds involving New Hampshire in any low carbon fuel standards program, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
HB 1492 (2012)
Requires public employers to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the United States.
SB 295 (2012)
Increases the Research and Development tax credit.
HCR 42 (2012)
Expresses support for preserving the Electoral College.
HB 1659 (2012)
"Women's Right to Know Act," mandating that women considering an abortion receive "complete and accurate information on abortion and its alternatives."
SB 286 (2012)
Establishes a prescription drug monitoring program funded entirely through "grants, gifts, or user contributions."
HB 1654 (2012)
Authorizes earned time credits for inmates participating in rehabilitative programming.
HB 1511 (2012)
Removes the prohibition on convicted felons possessing certain weapons for self-defense.
HB 1660 (2012)
Prohibits abortions beyond 20 weeks gestation.
HB 592 (2012)
Redistricts the House of Representatives.
HB 1676 (2012)
Establishes a pilot program to provide public financing for eligible candidates for state senator.
HB 1667 (2012)
Raises the threshold between juvenile and adult offenders from seventeen to eighteen years-old.
HB 1679 (2012)
Prohibits partial birth abortions and abortions in the third trimester.
HB 1413 (2012)
Directs New Hampshire to withdraw from the No Child Left Behind federal education program.
HR 9 (2011)
Resolution expressing support for earmarks for law enforcement.
HCR 23 (2011)
Urges congressional earmarks for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
HB 113 (2011)
Prohibits the use of state funds for New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV).
HB 631 (2011)
Repeals the requirement that school districts offer public kindergarten.
HB 569 (2011)
Establishes "domestic unions" as an alternative to marriage.
HB 370 (2011)
Reverses the expanded definition of bullying in the Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Act.
HB 340 (2011)
Exempts parents from the education property tax if their children are not enrolled in public school.
HB 176 (2011)
Changes the definition of "domicile" for voting purposes so that out-of-state students can not claim domicile in New Hampshire.
HB 109 (2011)
Prohibits local planning boards from requiring sprinklers as a condition for a local permit.
HB 133 (2011)
Ties the New Hampshire minimum wage to the federal minimum wage.
SB 27 (2011)
Raises the speed limit in some areas of Lake Winnipesaukee.
SB 52 (2011)
Repeals early release programs for inmates convicted of violent crimes.
HB 519 (2011)
Repeals the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), New Hampshire's cap-and-trade program.
SB 3 (2011)
Makes various changes to the state retirement system, such as raising retirement ages and increasing member contributions.
SB 88 (2011)
Expands the use of deadly force, adding "Stand Your Ground" to the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force without retreating, anywhere the victim has the right to be.
HB 218 (2011)
Repeals the New Hampshire Rail Transit Auhority (NHRTA).
SB 57 (2011)
Makes various revisions to title loan regulations.
HB 474 (2011)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 1 (2011)
Eliminates "evergreen clauses" in public contracts.
HB 329 (2011)
Requires parental notification prior to a minor's abortion.
HB 1653 (2010)
Decriminalizes possession of 1/4 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age eighteen.
HB 1128 (2010)
Makes various regulatory changes, such as allowing towns to adopt a local meals and rooms tax in addition to the state meals and rooms tax and authorizing expanded gambling.
SB 450 (2010)
Makes various budget cuts.
SS HB 1 (2010)
Repeals the LLC tax.
SB 464 (2010)
Establishes speed limits on Lake Winnipesaukee.
SB 489 (2010)
Authorizes three casinos in New Hampshire.
HB 1644 (2010)
Includes all fetuses as potential victims under first and second degree murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide.
HB 1607 (2010)
Establishes certain requirements for the reasonable compensation deduction under the business profits tax. The bill creates a committee to study safe harbors and taxation of investment organizations. This bill also deletes a provision subjecting to taxation certain income accumulated in trust for the benefit of unborn or unascertained persons.CACR 28 (2010)
Constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
HB 1590 (2010)
Repeals same-sex marriage.
SB 497 (2010)
Establishes certain requirements for the reasonable compensation deduction under the business profits tax. This bill also establishes a committee to study safe harbors.
HB 436 (2009)
Legalizes same-sex marriage.
HB 648 (2009)
Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.
HB 556 (2009)
Repeals the death penalty.
HB 383 (2009)
Requires seat belt usage.
HB 415 (2009)
Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
HB 531 (2009)
Requires parental notification prior to a minor's abortion.
