Worker Freedom Works: Why HB 1704 Is a Win for Talent and Taxpayers

When workers have real freedom, they thrive, and so do the institutions that rely on them.

 

In a new op-ed for NH Journal, NH State Representative Brian LaBrie explains why New Hampshire’s HB 1704 is a commonsense reform that puts employees, employers, and taxpayers on stronger footing. The bill moves away from rigid, one-size-fits-all employment structures and toward a system that values flexibility, effectiveness, and choice.

 

Too often, uniform contracts distort incentives. They reward tenure over performance, lock compensation into benefits many workers don’t want, and crowd out flexibility that today’s workforce increasingly values. HB 1704 begins to correct that imbalance by giving employees more control over how they are compensated and giving employers the ability to direct pay where it matters most.

 

Flexibility changes behavior. When workers can choose compensation that fits their lives, they are more likely to stay. When districts aren’t locked into automatic escalators and outdated mandates, they can better retain and reward talent. The result is a stronger workforce and better outcomes for communities.

 

The bill also takes an important step away from Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) reduction-in-force rules, which force layoffs based solely on seniority rather than effectiveness. No worker should lose their job simply because they were hired later, and no employer should be prevented from keeping their best people.

 

HB 1704 is about freedom, fairness, and smarter use of taxpayer dollars. It’s a reform that recognizes a simple truth: when workers have choices, everyone benefits.