Fight continues to protect timber and biomass industry

To the Editor:

As your Senator representing District 8 in Concord, I have been privileged to work on numerous bills that will help keep our communities a great place to live, work and raise a family.

This year, the Senate passed two bills that protect the state’s timber and biomass industry. These bills were designed to make sure that wood burning plants like the one in Springfield, and its timber suppliers from the surrounding area would remain in operation.

These plants ensure diverse, in-state, renewable energy and employ hundreds of people throughout our region. Unfortunately, this bill was vetoed. However, I am working with my colleagues in the Senate and the House to make sure these reasonable measures become law.

We also improved school infrastructure by appropriating an additional $10 million on top of the nearly $18 million we passed in the budget last year. These funds will help local schools improve safety, provide critical upgrades, and bring high speed Internet access to those schools without it. With the very rural nature of this part of the state, access to high speed Internet access is difficult to come by, but with investments like these, we can get high speed internet to more people, which is critical for continued economic development and growth.

Additionally, we approved legislation that would provide families in towns like Croydon to have greater school choice. This legislation would allow families to choose where their kids attend school in towns like Croydon which does not offer grades beyond fourth, recognizing the unique learning styles of each individual and that some may flourish in certain learning environments. I continue to believe this was an important step forward and we should always focus on the best interests of our children.

I look forward to continuing to fight for the families in Senate District 8 in the next session.

Sincerely,

Senator Ruth Ward

Senator Ruth Ward (R-Stoddard) represents the District 8 communities of Croydon, Newport, Unity, Acworth, Stoddard, Antrim, Deering, Weare, Bradford, Sutton, Newbury, Springfield, New London, Sunapee, Goshen, Grantham, Lempster, Washington, Marlow, Hillsboro, Langdon, Windsor, Bennington, Francestown.

She serves as Vice-Chair of the Public and Municipal Affairs committee and as a member of the Education and Transportation committees.