HOW THEY VOTED: LOCAL REPS DIFFER ON ISSUES

Turbulent Budget Season Sparks Interest In Voting Record

As the 161st General Court winds its way through one of the more
difficult budget seasons it has seen in a number of years, local
legislators have also grappled with some bills that have generated
controversy, elicited laughter and brought a record number of
comments from their constituents.

"Oh boy, what a season," said Alida Millham, a veteran Republican
legislator from Gilford.

Millham said the two bills that generated the most feedback from her
constituents were the Gay Marriage Bill (HB 436) and the so-called
Bathroom Bill (HB 415) that proposes adding transgendered citizens
to state anti-discrimination laws.

"I got a ton on both sides," said Millham, who broke ranks with the
GOP by voting for gay marriage but held with a 'no' vote on the Bathroom Bill.

"I understand both sides," Millham said, adding that her 'aye' vote
on gay marriage "didn't come easily."

"I have struggled with this for a very long time and I voted for
what I think is justice and fairness," she said.

As to the transgendered legislation, Millham said she "didn't think
it was necessary" and she thought the proponents "didn't do a good
job presenting it."

"I've always been pro-choice," she continued, adding that she takes
her lumps from the party for that.

"Although I'd like parents to be involved at every level, there are
some times when this just isn't possible," she said.

For second-term Franklin Democrat Leigh Webb, voting against
legalizing medical marijuana and against repealing the death penalty
was a break from his party.

"Absolutely not," Webb said when asked about medical marijuana. "As
long as we do not have a legal distribution process, somehow,
somewhere, somebody will sell this stuff illegally.

"Passing a state law against federal law is just plain wrong."

Voting not to repeal the death penalty came a little harder for him.

"I voted 'no' because I hear time and time again from law
enforcement that it is a deterrent, and I support that position," Webb said.

Webb said the vote on the Gay Marriage Bill was "probably one of the
most interesting moments I've spent in the legislature during my
brief tenure."

Five votes, including the first one where the measure actually
failed by one vote, were needed before the measure ultimately passed
by seven votes.

For newcomer Peter Bolster, a Republican from Alton, the first days
in the general court have been "very interesting, to say the least."

Bolster voted with the majority of his party on most bills, but as
an evangelical pastor said he had to vote to repeal the death penalty.

"My basic belief is to bring everybody to salvation. Executing a
person means I am not only condemning them to death, but to hell,"
Bolster said, allowing he understands that many conservatives do
support the death penalty, but for him, he can't.

He said his vote against the medical marijuana bill was because
there hasn't been enough scientific research done at the federal
level by the Food and Drug Administration.

"Until that happens, and there is scientific proof of its medicinal
value, I will vote against it," Bolster said.