When Rep. Benjamin Bartlett, a Nottingham Republican, stepped down last week, margins in the House got even tighter: 200 Republicans to 196 Democrats. With the House so closely divided, attendance this session has often played a major role in the fate.
With the House so closely divided, attendance this session has often played a major role in the fate of legislation. An attempted repeal of the state’s abortion ban failed in a tie. A proposal to limit homeschoolers' use of school vouchers failed by two votes. The “parental rights” bill failed by one vote.
Last week’s resignation the chamber’s third so far this term underscored again just how variable the margin can be in a 400-seat chamber filled with volunteers.