It’s never too early to think elections. New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont are actually the only two states whose governors serve two-year terms, and the suggestion has come up again this year in the Granite State to double that length. If CACR 9 passes, it will be up to the voters to decide. Also: the 17-year-old primary vote, and opting out of Selective Service registration.
A last-minute amendment to a study bill has spiced up its public hearing in the House. Senate Bill 132 would fold several state agencies into a newly created Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Also: advance notice of impending layoffs, and unemployment benefits in the form of entrepreneurship assistance.
Whatever survives the session’s second half will then go to Gov. Lynch’s office for a signature, a veto, or to become law without signature. … One set of laws that won’t be landing on the governor’s desk deal with changes to current abortion laws. Also in this installment: health insurance, and a House rule change to permanent records.
Next week marks the midway point in the 2009 legislative session, and only bills that are still afloat by Friday will have a chance at becoming law. And there have been some surprises …
