A new approach to parole is making headway in the N.H. Legislature.
If Senate Bill 500 passes, supporters say, less jail time and more community supervision could save the state money and help reduce recidivism at the same time. The Parole Board, however, fears for public safety if their authority is usurped.
The bill has passed the Senate and is expected to get a vote in the House sometime this month.
Continue Leave a Comment April 5, 2010
Unused prescription drugs could soon be donated to some uninsured or underinsured patients in New Hampshire. The Board of Pharmacy is working with three test sites in Hanover, Rochester and Exeter to roll out the Unused Prescription Drug Program created by the Legislature in 2006.
It’s a social cause that could save the state a lot of money, too.
Meeting for only the second time since it took summer recess in June, House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth) had to remind the 400-member chamber to behave on several occasions when collective boos, cheers and jeers followed various speeches and votes.
This may help explain why lots of activity resulted in definitive votes on only 11 pieces of legislation, by her count. The remainder will be taken up in subsequent weeks.
Continue Leave a Comment January 12, 2010
It was a landmark year for New Hampshire government in 2009—not only for the size of its budget deficit ($250 million) and the number of state layoffs it induced (200), but also for legislative action on some controversial social issues, like gay marriage, the death penalty and medical marijuana.
But these scores are far from settled, as evidenced in the new round of bills up for debate in Concord’s 2010 legislative session, which officially kicks off on Wednesday, Jan. 6
Continue Leave a Comment January 4, 2010
Gov. John Lynch has—for now, at least—snuffed out New Hampshire’s medical marijuana bill. Lynch had remained tight-lipped about his stance on the legislation’s latest version until Friday morning, when he vetoed House Bill 648 just hours after it landed on his desk. It will now go back to the House and Senate, where a two-thirds majority could override the veto.
Continue Leave a Comment July 16, 2009
New Hampshire is one step closer to its budget for the next two years, although it still may be a long way off.
Continue Leave a Comment June 23, 2009
