Letter: Bring back Ivy Vann

The Democrats in the New Hampshire Legislature will be very happy if we can return Ivy Vann to her seat in the House, because they can depend on her to support their progressive agenda on issues that are important to them and to us.

In particular, Vann is a strong advocate for finding ways to increase the housing supply in New Hampshire – a critical need if our state is to progress economically as our population ages. Unfortunately, Jonah Wheeler, one of our current reps, voted with the Republicans against bills which were high priorities for advocates of increased housing. He voted against HB1400, which would have placed limits on parking requirements for developers of housing. He also voted against SB538, known as the “Home-nibus bill”, which included several measures that would have made it easier to add to the housing supply.

Vann is also a strong supporter of gun control, and will look for ways to reduce the toll that firearms take on our friends and families. As a member of the Criminal Justice Committee,  Wheeler voted with the Republicans against two bills that were intended by the Democrats to improve public safety. HB106 was an extreme-risk-protection (red flag) bill. HB444 would have prohibited possession of a handgun in a polling place (with an exception for police officers). Wheeler also voted against these common-sense bills when they came to the House floor. He voted with the Republicans in favor of HB1186, which makes it hard to track the sales of firearms and ammunition.

Re-elect Ivy Vann. She will put us back in step with the goals of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

Abby Meyer

Peterborough