New Futures presented its 2011 Legislator of the Year Award to Senator Matthew S. Houde (D-Plainfield) and Senator Russell Prescott (R-Kingston) for their work to amend SB 120 during the 2011 legislative session. The New Futures’ Legislator of the Year Award recognizes a member or members of the New Hampshire General Court who demonstrated extraordinary leadership in promoting progressive alcohol and other drug policy during the legislative session. The award was presented at New Futures’ Annual Recognition Event held at the University of New Hampshire Durham campus on Friday, October 14, 2011.
The 2011 New Futures Legislator of the Year Award recognized not only the outstanding work done by the senators on the bill, but also the collaborative way in which they did the work. As introduced, SB 120 would have repealed all restrictions on “Happy Hour” advertising, and permitted exterior signage advertising cheap alcohol on city and town streets and buildings. Senators Houde and Prescott worked to amend SB 120 to include a local option provision that gives every city and town the authority to decide whether or not it is in the best interest of the community to permit such signage.
Senator Houde represents Senate District 5 which includes the communities of Andover, Cornish, Croyden, Danbury, Enfield, Franklin, Grafton, Grantham, Hanover, Hill, Lebanon, Plainfield, Springfield and Wilmot. Senator Prescott represents Senate District 23, which includes the communities of East Kingston, Exeter, Kensington, Kingston, Newfields, Newmarket, Newton, Seabrook, South Hampton, and Stratham.
