As New Hampshire lawmakers debated changes to the state budget—eventually passing a bill to plug a nearly $300 million hole—one might have thought they were looking at two completely different documents.
In the end, the optimistic version won, and we won’t know until the receipts come in how realistic it is. Either way, Gov. Lynch praised the legislation and is expected to sign Special Session House Bill 1 into law.
After budget negotiations between the House and Senate broke down last week, Gov. Lynch and the Executive Council called lawmakers back to Concord for a special session on June 9. House and Senate leaders Terie Norelli and Sylvia Larsen are scheduled to release a bill the afternoon of June 7 that will get a public hearing June 8 and go to the House and Senate for debate on June 9.
They didn’t start from scratch in writing this bill. It includes $270 million in budget cuts and adjustments that were already agreed to by a joint House-Senate conference committee in recent weeks.
That committee walked away from budget talks, however, over the remaining $30 million and the issue of expanded gambling.
Continue 2 Comments June 8, 2010
Demand is up for mental health services in New Hampshire, but resources to provide them are dwindling. And more are on the chopping block, including the Anna Philbrook Center, the state’s facility for treating children and adolescents with severe mental health needs.
Children would still be treated, but at the main wing of the New Hampshire Hospital, instead. Fourteen adult beds would be eliminated to make room for the kids. It is not clear at this point how the state’s obligation to educate the children would be met or who exactly would pick up that bill.
Continue May 3, 2010
New Hampshire’s Liquor Commission keeps a close eye on the 6,100 liquor license and permit holders in the state, but at least one lawmaker thinks someone should be keeping a closer eye on the commission.
Rep. Rip Holden (R-Goffstown) sponsored three bills this term to do just that. They didn’t make it far, but a fourth bill, sponsored by Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D-Manchester) is close to becoming law.
“There’s no immediate checks and balance, and there is no balance, to my knowledge, from any branch, in the commission itself,” Holden says.
Continue Leave a Comment April 26, 2010
The House will revisit holding the status quo on education funding—and may revisit the entire education funding formula, while it’s at it. Also, new proposals would consolidate some programs and authorities under the DHHS Commissioner. Would legislative oversight of the department still mean anything? …
Continue Leave a Comment April 19, 2010
Facing a $210-220 million budget shortfall, Gov. John Lynch has released a three-part plan to cut spending, restructure debt and increase revenue for New Hampshire. He’ll present ideas requiring immediate action to the House and Senate Finance Committees on April 15. Further action will be left to the entire Legislature.
Lynch cited the recession—lower tax revenues and increased demand for services—and the Supreme Court ruling that JUA funds are off-limits as part of the problem. He did not question how realistic the monetary projections had been on which the budget was founded.
Continue Leave a Comment April 12, 2010
March 25 this year marks Crossover, the deadline for the N.H. House and Senate to vote on all bills that originated in those respective chambers.
Bills must pass the chamber in which they’re introduced before “crossing over” to the opposite chamber. Legislation that’s still alive after Crossover receives a second public hearing and potential floor debate before the second deadline in mid-May.
And some notable legislation is either still up for its first vote, or on its way to the other side.
Continue Leave a Comment March 13, 2010
The state’s share of education funding could remain capped at 2009 levels, according to two bills awaiting floor debate in the Senate. Either measure would save the state about $70 million a year from current funding obligations.
How good that looks depends on what town you’re looking from.
Continue Leave a Comment March 5, 2010
Gov. John Lynch’s Gaming Study Commission is nearing its end, but the time for public comment is just beginning. A new online forum for “deliberative” discussion opened Feb. 25, and organizers are optimistic about the opportunity it gives the public to inform decision-making.
Lynch formed the Study Commission in 2009 to conduct a review of various models of expanded gambling and their potential impacts on the state. Proposals for expanded gaming in New Hampshire range from bringing in video slot machines to full-fledged casinos to upscale casino resorts.
The forum, put together by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire, is the final piece of a program called “What’s at Stake? Community Conversations to Weigh the Benefits and Risks of Expanded Legal Gambling In New Hampshire.”
Continue Leave a Comment February 26, 2010
While many campaign finance reform advocates are wringing their hands about the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allows unlimited corporate spending on political speech, a few optimists see opportunity, especially when it comes to state and local elections.
Doris “Granny D” Haddock drew the connection during a brief speech at her 100th birthday party Thursday in the Executive Council Chambers at the New Hampshire State House.
Rebuilding, she said, must start with public funding of state elections.
Continue 2 Comments January 29, 2010
