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Budget committee rejects rule requiring two-day advance of member PowerPoints
Summary
Committee considered and rejected a motion to require committee-member PowerPoint presentations be submitted two days in advance, labeled as personal opinion, and limited to 3–5 minutes; members debated transparency, Right‑to‑Know implications and ad-hoc work-product use during meetings.
MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Budget Committee voted down a motion that would have required PowerPoint presentations by committee members to be included on the predetermined agenda, submitted two days in advance, clearly labeled as personal opinion and limited to three to five minutes.
The motion’s sponsor said the rule would prevent unvetted slides from airing on Merrimack TV as if they were an official committee position. “If it’s not clearly labeled that it’s a personal opinion of a committee member, the public doesn't necessarily know that,” a member argued during debate.
Opponents said the motion risked curtailing spontaneous, useful work products generated by committee members during meetings and that members should be free to ask questions and share analysis in the public meeting. A committee member noted that presentations and materials shown during meetings remain government documents available under Right‑to‑Know laws.
The chair asked for a vote after extended discussion; the motion was seconded and then put to a hand/voice vote. The chair announced the motion did not pass.
What’s next: The chair said procedural improvements could be considered at a later meeting after the committee progresses through budget business.
