Margaret Wood Hassan
Encyclopedia
Margaret “Maggie” Wood Hassan (born February 27, 1958) is a former Majority Leader of the New Hampshire
Senate. She represented the 23rd District from 2004 to 2010. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
and received her JD from Northeastern School of Law.
Hassan worked as an attorney for the law firm Edward Angell/Palmer Dodge from 1985-1992. From 1993-1996, she was Associate General Counsel for Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Partners Healthcare. She has worked as an attorney for Sullivan, Weinstein and McQuay, a commercial and business Litigation firm, since 1996.
Hassan’s career in public service began in 1999 when she was appointed by Governor Shaheen as a citizen advisor to the Advisory Committee to the Adequacy in Education and Finance Commission.
regained control of both the New Hampshire House of Representatives
and New Hampshire Senate
.
She served as the Assistant Democratic Whip, President Pro Tempore
, and Majority Leader
of the State Senate during her 6 years in office.
She represented New Hampshire’s 23rd district, which includes the towns of East Kingston
, Exeter
, Kensington
, Kingston
, Newfields, Newmarket
, Newton
, Seabrook
, South Hampton
and Stratham.
Hassan sponsored this bill, which established an economic development advisory council to aid in the division of economic development
and to assist in establishing goals, measurements, and planning efforts related to economic development.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – HB 1434 (2008)
RGGI is a regional market-based program designed to reduce air pollution
at the lowest cost to consumers and businesses. It was instituted by ten northeastern states to help limit carbon emissions, encourage innovation in alternative energy, and improve energy efficiency.
Southeast Watershed Alliance – SB 168 (2009)
Hassan chaired the Great Bay Estuary Commission which led her to sponsor this bill, which repealed the estuary alliance for sewage treatment by replacing it with the Southeast Watershed Alliance. This allows communities to create regional solutions to waste water infrastructure
challenges.
Education Accountability - SB 180 (2009)
SB 180 is the final piece of a three-year legislative effort to define, determine the cost and ensure accountability for delivering a quality education. Under this legislation, schools are required to demonstrate they are providing an opportunity for a quality education either by meeting the school approval standards that relate to adequacy or by demonstrating that their students are meeting academic goals based on various performance measures. The accountability system relies on data that school districts and the state Department of Education
already collect.
Blocking Massachusetts Sales Tax Collection – SB 5 (2009)
This legislation was a direct response to a Massachusetts
proposal to collect taxes on purchases made in New Hampshire by Massachusetts residents. It restricts New Hampshire retailers from disclosing private customer information to other states seeking to collect a sales or use tax
.
New Hampshire WARN Act - SB 40 (2009)
Requires companies to notify their workers in the event of massive layoffs or plant closings.
Anti-Bullying Bill - HB 1523 (2010)
HB 1523 expands existing state law that requires schools to have policies against bullying and adds a new definition for cyber-bullying
that addresses bullying through the use of electronic devices including but not limited to “telephones, cellular phones, computers, pagers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging and web sites.” The enhanced anti-bullying legislation also requires school districts to educate staff and volunteers so they can recognize and address instances of bullying. Under this legislation, The Department of Education assists local schools and prepares an annual report of each of the substantiated instances of bullying or cyber-bullying for the legislature.
NH Works – SB 501 (2010)
Allows existing businesses to scale back their operations without laying off workers. Under this legislation, companies and their workers can agree to reduced hours in place of layoffs and the state must make up part of the lost wages through unemployment
benefits. The legislation also called for the Department of Employment Security to develop a system to assess the skills of unemployed workers and help them get skills or certifications that would make it easier for them to find work. A third component allows newly hired workers to continue on unemployment for up to six weeks of on-the-job training. At that time, the employer is able to decide if the worker had the skills needed to continue as a full-fledged employee.
Health Care Access through Purchasing Alliances – SB 408 (2010)
SB 408 allows professional and non-profit associations like chambers of commerce that have been in existence for at least 10 years to form alliances for the purpose of purchasing small group health insurance
coverage for their employees. The purchasing alliance must include at least 3,000 lives, including policy-holders and family members covered under the policy.
Commission on Health Care Cost Containment - SB 505 (2010)
Hassan introduced SB 505, which established a state commission on health care
cost containment. The bill was signed into law in July 2010. In 2012, the commission will report its findings on the impact of federal health care reform, options for creating a common payment system and ways to encourage the use of incentives to improve quality and efficiency.
Conner’s Law - HB 569 (2010)
HB 569 was passed while Hassan was chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection. The law requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism
therapies like ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy. The bill was supported by Autism Speaks
, the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Autism Society of New Hampshire.
She is vowing to keep taxes low and veto any sales or income tax and balance the budget. Although State Republican Party Chairman Wayne MacDonald criticized her for proposing more than 80 tax and fee increases while in office.
, who has been the principal of Phillips Exeter Academy
since July 2009. Hassan and her husband have two children.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
Senate. She represented the 23rd District from 2004 to 2010. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life, education, and early career
Hassan earned her B.A. from Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
and received her JD from Northeastern School of Law.
Hassan worked as an attorney for the law firm Edward Angell/Palmer Dodge from 1985-1992. From 1993-1996, she was Associate General Counsel for Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Partners Healthcare. She has worked as an attorney for Sullivan, Weinstein and McQuay, a commercial and business Litigation firm, since 1996.
Hassan’s career in public service began in 1999 when she was appointed by Governor Shaheen as a citizen advisor to the Advisory Committee to the Adequacy in Education and Finance Commission.
Elections
Hassan first ran for the New Hampshire State Senate in 2002 but lost to incumbent State Senator Russell Prescott 54% to 46%. In 2004, she ran against Prescott again and won 52% to 48%. In 2006, she won re-election against Natalie Healy 60% to 40%. In 2008, she defeated Lee Quandt 57% to 43%. In November 2010, Senator Hassan was defeated by Russell Prescott in a second rematch, 53% to 47%. RepublicansRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
regained control of both the New Hampshire House of Representatives
New Hampshire House of Representatives
The New Hampshire House of Representatives is the lower house in the New Hampshire General Court. The House of Representatives consists of 400 members coming from 103 districts across the state, created from divisions of the state's counties. On average, each legislator represents about 3,300...
and New Hampshire Senate
New Hampshire Senate
The New Hampshire Senate has been meeting since 1784. It is the upper house of the New Hampshire General Court. It consists of 24 members representing Senate districts based on population...
.
She served as the Assistant Democratic Whip, President Pro Tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
, and Majority Leader
Majority leader
In U.S. politics, the majority floor leader is a partisan position in a legislative body.In the federal Congress, the role differs slightly in the two houses. In the House of Representatives, which chooses its own presiding officer, the leader of the majority party is elected the Speaker of the...
of the State Senate during her 6 years in office.
She represented New Hampshire’s 23rd district, which includes the towns of East Kingston
East Kingston, New Hampshire
East Kingston is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,357 at the 2010 census.-History:East Kingston was once a part of Kingston called Kingston East Parish, but was granted a separate charter in 1738 by Massachusetts Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher,...
, Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
, Kingston
Kingston, New Hampshire
Kingston is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population at the 2010 census was 6,025.- History :Kingston was the fifth town to be established in New Hampshire. Originally, it was a part of Hampton, New Hampshire...
, Newfields, Newmarket
Newmarket, New Hampshire
Newmarket is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 8,936 at the 2010 census. Some residents are students and employees at the nearby University of New Hampshire in Durham....
, Newton
Newton, New Hampshire
Newton is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,603 at the 2010 census.- History :The sixth town to be granted from the Masonian land purchase of 1746, Newton was originally part of Salisbury, Massachusetts; later, part of Amesbury, Massachusetts; then...
, Seabrook
Seabrook, New Hampshire
Seabrook is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 8,693 at the 2010 census. Located at the southern end of the coast of New Hampshire on the border with Massachusetts, Seabrook is noted as the location of the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station, the third-most...
, South Hampton
South Hampton, New Hampshire
South Hampton is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 814 at the 2010 census. South Hampton is home to Cowden State Forest and Powwow River State Forest.- History :...
and Stratham.
Accomplishments
Economic Development Advisory Council – SB 394 (2008)Hassan sponsored this bill, which established an economic development advisory council to aid in the division of economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
and to assist in establishing goals, measurements, and planning efforts related to economic development.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – HB 1434 (2008)
RGGI is a regional market-based program designed to reduce air pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
at the lowest cost to consumers and businesses. It was instituted by ten northeastern states to help limit carbon emissions, encourage innovation in alternative energy, and improve energy efficiency.
Southeast Watershed Alliance – SB 168 (2009)
Hassan chaired the Great Bay Estuary Commission which led her to sponsor this bill, which repealed the estuary alliance for sewage treatment by replacing it with the Southeast Watershed Alliance. This allows communities to create regional solutions to waste water infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
challenges.
Education Accountability - SB 180 (2009)
SB 180 is the final piece of a three-year legislative effort to define, determine the cost and ensure accountability for delivering a quality education. Under this legislation, schools are required to demonstrate they are providing an opportunity for a quality education either by meeting the school approval standards that relate to adequacy or by demonstrating that their students are meeting academic goals based on various performance measures. The accountability system relies on data that school districts and the state Department of Education
New Hampshire Department of Education
The New Hampshire Department of Education is the state education agency of New Hampshire. It is headquartered in Concord....
already collect.
Blocking Massachusetts Sales Tax Collection – SB 5 (2009)
This legislation was a direct response to a Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
proposal to collect taxes on purchases made in New Hampshire by Massachusetts residents. It restricts New Hampshire retailers from disclosing private customer information to other states seeking to collect a sales or use tax
Use tax
A use tax is a type of excise tax levied in the United States. It is assessed upon otherwise "tax free" tangible personal property purchased by a resident of the assessing state for use, storage or consumption of goods in that state , regardless of where the purchase took place...
.
New Hampshire WARN Act - SB 40 (2009)
Requires companies to notify their workers in the event of massive layoffs or plant closings.
Anti-Bullying Bill - HB 1523 (2010)
HB 1523 expands existing state law that requires schools to have policies against bullying and adds a new definition for cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying
Cyber-bullying is the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner. As it has become more common in society, particularly among young people, legislation and awareness campaigns have arisen to combat it.-Definition:The term...
that addresses bullying through the use of electronic devices including but not limited to “telephones, cellular phones, computers, pagers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging and web sites.” The enhanced anti-bullying legislation also requires school districts to educate staff and volunteers so they can recognize and address instances of bullying. Under this legislation, The Department of Education assists local schools and prepares an annual report of each of the substantiated instances of bullying or cyber-bullying for the legislature.
NH Works – SB 501 (2010)
Allows existing businesses to scale back their operations without laying off workers. Under this legislation, companies and their workers can agree to reduced hours in place of layoffs and the state must make up part of the lost wages through unemployment
Unemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
benefits. The legislation also called for the Department of Employment Security to develop a system to assess the skills of unemployed workers and help them get skills or certifications that would make it easier for them to find work. A third component allows newly hired workers to continue on unemployment for up to six weeks of on-the-job training. At that time, the employer is able to decide if the worker had the skills needed to continue as a full-fledged employee.
Health Care Access through Purchasing Alliances – SB 408 (2010)
SB 408 allows professional and non-profit associations like chambers of commerce that have been in existence for at least 10 years to form alliances for the purpose of purchasing small group health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
coverage for their employees. The purchasing alliance must include at least 3,000 lives, including policy-holders and family members covered under the policy.
Commission on Health Care Cost Containment - SB 505 (2010)
Hassan introduced SB 505, which established a state commission on health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
cost containment. The bill was signed into law in July 2010. In 2012, the commission will report its findings on the impact of federal health care reform, options for creating a common payment system and ways to encourage the use of incentives to improve quality and efficiency.
Conner’s Law - HB 569 (2010)
HB 569 was passed while Hassan was chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection. The law requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
therapies like ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy. The bill was supported by Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
, the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Autism Society of New Hampshire.
Committee Assignments
- Capital Budget Committee
- Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection
- Finance
- Public and Municipal Affairs (Chair)
- Energy, Environment, and Economic Development (Vice Chair)
- Internal Affairs Committee
- Executive Department and Administration Committee
2012 run for Governor
Hassan has previously stated that she will run for Governor if current governor John Lynch does not seek re-election. On September 15th, Governor Lynch announced that he will in fact, not seek reelection. In October 2011, she announced she will run for governor. She has supported Governor Lynch, and has been very critical of Speaker Bill O'BrienWilliam L. O'Brien
William L. O'Brien is a lawyer and legislator from Mont Vernon, New Hampshire who has been a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives since 2004, representing district Hillsborough-4, and was elected the Speaker of the House in 2011.-Biography:O'Brien obtained his bachelors degree in...
She is vowing to keep taxes low and veto any sales or income tax and balance the budget. Although State Republican Party Chairman Wayne MacDonald criticized her for proposing more than 80 tax and fee increases while in office.
Personal life
Hassan lives in Exeter, New Hampshire. She is married to Thomas E. HassanThomas Hassan
Thomas E. Hassan is the 14th Principal of the Phillips Exeter Academy, in office from June 2009. Hassan succeeded Tyler C. Tingley, who retired in June 2009 after having completed 12 years as head of the 228-year-old academy. A graduate of Brown University, Hassan earned his master’s and doctorate...
, who has been the principal of Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
since July 2009. Hassan and her husband have two children.
External links
- Maggie Hassan official website
- Maggie Hassan on Facebook
- Maggie Hassan on Twitter