New Hampshire
Horrific Law Proposed in New Hampshire Would Limit Artists' Creativity on Canned Beer
I’m not normally one to write about politics or proposed bills. However, there is a bill being proposed in New Hampshire that I think would be detrimental to artists all over the Granite State.
According to a NHPR article:
Senate Bill 335 prohibits alcohol labels that include “cartoons, toys, robots, fictional animals or creatures” and other imagery that could be enticing for children. The goal, the bill’s description states, is to restrict “the use of certain images and phrasing in alcohol packaging that are attractive to minors,” and the bill directs the New Hampshire Liquor Commission to develop rules to enforce that.
In simple Logan words, you know the cool, graphic, animated beer cans that you see? Yeah, those may all go away under this bill.
This may not seem like a big deal to non-beer drinkers. It may even seem appealing, as at first glance the bill seems to protect our children. But in all reality, it does a lot more bad than good.
There are hundreds of breweries in New Hampshire, Maine, and really all of New England. Excluding different types and tastes, one of the ways breweries distinguish themselves apart from others is their can label.
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Breweries often outsource this work to local artists. It is a 16 ounce, cylinder, CANvas. And now, some lawmakers are trying to tell those artists what they can and cannot put on it.
That is wrong.
Restricting artists goes against so much this country and this state stands for. We have the First Amendment for a reason. You know, freedom of speech. It also goes against Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of expression.
This bill hurts artists.
“Laura Bramley of Felina Design Co. in Portland – who uses the name Laura Felina for her artwork – has done more than 100 pieces of label art for Portland-based Definitive Brewing Co. over the past six or seven years,” according to a Portland Press Herald article. “As a big music fan, she’s always admired album art and concert posters, and thinks beer label art is similar, since it helps tell a story and enhance the drinker’s (or listener’s) experience.”
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This bill hurts breweries’ businesses.
“It’s a crowded market, the consumer won’t get to your beer if there’s not something compelling on the label,” said Katrina Matthews, marketing manager for Definitive, according to the Portland Press.
To stand up for our small businesses, our breweries, and every artist who makes can art or not, vote against this bill here.
Whether you drink craft beer or not, this proposed bill would set a precedent restricting what artists can and cannot draw (especially on a 21+ canvas).
I will not support that, will you?
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The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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