I’m still catching-up from my brief holiday hiatus from Twelve Mile Circle responsibilities. It serves me right for thinking I could keep a low profile. So much geo-weirdness happens in the world at any given time. I imagine many of you saw the mainstream press coverage of a few legislators in New Hampshire proposing warning signs for motorists about to enter neighboring Massachusetts?
The argument is that Massachusetts requires automobile insurance and motorcycle helmets. It also places greater restrictions on guns and fireworks, and its more restrictive by nature in general. New Hampshire is all “Live Free or Die” and Massachusetts is, well, it’s the People’s Republic of Taxachusetts.
That’s how it’s being framed by the NH Legislators involved. I think one quote from the article articulates this position rather succinctly.
“Basically I had people come to me and tell me they had accidentally crossed the border and ended up on the wrong side of the law… If they had seen a sign saying ‘hey, you’re about to go into Massachusetts,’ they could have turned around.”
Indeed.
Kind-of Unique
I’ll leave it to each of you to determine a personal point of view. Twelve Mile Circle isn’t a politics blog (albeit we’ve waded into NH-MA waters briefly before). I also realize this bill is probably a bit tongue-in-cheek, voicing frustration without much expectation of actually passing. Nonetheless that doesn’t mean that I can’t examine some of the potential implications and have some fun with it.
Would this be the only instance where one state warns motorists of potential problems or restrictions in a neighboring state? I’ve seen plenty of examples that goes the other direction. Sometimes a state wants travelers to understand its restrictions to avoid unknowing trouble.
I see this in my own beloved Commonwealth along major roads as one crosses the border: Speed enforced by aircraft; Speed Checked by Radar and Other Electrical Devices; and Radar Detectors are Illegal. I’ve seen actual border stops such as California’s Agricultural Inspection Stations (went through the Lake Tahoe Station once). Occasionally I see friendly exit messages like “Drive Safely — Return Again Soon”. However the New Hampshire proposal would be a new one to me. Does anyone know of something similar, a warning about a neighboring jurisdiction? Can you provide an associated Google Map link? That would be awesome.
A Closer Look
I like to examine the actual text of a bill when I see an article like this. I know, I’m weird. However source documents often provide revealing information that doesn’t make it into the news. The Legislature is called the New Hampshire General Court; it is bicameral with a House of Representatives of 400 members. The General Court brags that it’s “the second largest legislature in the United States following the U.S. Congress.”
New Hampshire is also the 46th smallest of the 50 states. So it seems there may be a bit of a Napoleon Complex going on here. It shouldn’t be surprising that “creative” ideas might make their way into the legislative process. Representation covers such tiny slices of geography. Membership doesn’t require nearly as much vetting.
The bill, HB 1412 says:
“All roads that cross the New Hampshire/Massachusetts state line shall bear signs that say “Warning: Massachusetts Border 500 Feet.”
Lest anyone consider this a frivolous use of taxpayer funds, lawmakers propose that “No public money shall be used to pay for such signs.” Instead a citizen, group, association or business will sponsor each sign. Then they will be allowed to erect their sign, assuming it’s suitable for this purpose.
My Suitable Sign
My next round of Adsense funding will go towards sponsoring a sign if HB 1412 passes and becomes New Hampshire law. The heck with another holiday abroad. Sponsorship competition will be stiff for signs along busy roads such as Interstates 93 and 95. However, those wouldn’t be nearly geo-odd enough for me anyway. I’ll need to find an obscure location. I have plenty of opportunities among the 138 existing road crossings between the two states.
Well, I counted 138 crossings — that’s what passes for a fun Saturday evening on 12MC — although I can’t guarantee that exact number. It’s close enough for our purposes. The more significant point to understand is that there are plenty of border crossings that will need sponsors. The court decision for Yarnell v. Cuffley makes it practically impossible to deny 12MC sponsorship. So we’ll be able to sponsor a sign if the law passes and I have the necessary cash on hand.
Where Should I Place My Sign?
I found a few possible locations for a Twelve Mile Circle warning sign:
- It would probably be most useful along some random tertiary road that doesn’t even warrant a state border marker. However that seems rather boring for 12MC purposes.
- The loops of Brooks Road and Brooks Road Extended may be more appropriate. They require three signs to comply with the proposed law.
- Motorists also need to know what they’re getting into when they visit these two houses at the end of a remote cul-de-sac. As an aside, I’d be thrilled to live in a home with a state border running straight down the driveway like the guy towards the east.
- Maybe the Highway 12 crossing is a possibility, you know, because this is Twelve Mile Circle?
- My inner Beavis & Butt-head appreciates the special needs of an approach to Pecker Pond.
Any other sponsorship suggestions from the wise 12MC audience?
Totally Unrelated
Sports Nation Divided says that Turner, Montana is the “Saddest Town in America” because it’s the farthest away from a major league baseball team. I’m looking at you, Weekend Roady.
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