Belknap politicians get high ratings from Americans For Prosperity

LACONIA — Americans for Prosperity — New Hampshire, the local chapter of the conservative political advocacy group founded and funded by David and Charles Koch, yesterday announced its scorecard for the 2015 session of the New Hampshire Legislature.

Of the 18 members of the House of Representatives elected in Belknap County — all of them Republicans — 14 earned grades of "A" and "A+" for their votes on 13 bills chosen to measure their commitment to "economic freedom." These bills included repealing the increase in the gas tax, scuttling the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, requiring a three-fifths majority to raise taxes or fees, introducing a right-to-work law and raising the minimum wage.

Representatives Glen Aldrich and Russ Dumais of Gilford, Ray Howard of Alton, Peter Spanos of Laconia and Herb Vadney of Meredith earned perfect scores and grades of "A+."

Representatives Guy Comtois of Barnstead, Valerie Fraser of New Hampton, Brian Gallagher of Sanbornton, Sheri LeBreche and Mike Sylvia of Belmont, Bob Luther and Robert Fisher of Laconia, Dave Russell of Gilmanton and Peter Varney of Alton received grades of "A."

Representative Don Flanders of Laconia was awrded the lowest grade, a "D," while Deniis Fields of Sanbornton and George Hurt of Gilford received "Cs," and Frank Tilton of Laconia scored "B."