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
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.
New Hampshire could see new jobs and renewable energy initiatives this summer, if a newly proposed amendment to a Senate bill is approved. But, that amendment also presents a number of complications.
The Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 334 and the amendment on Thursday, March 4, in room 102 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord.
More of New Hampshire agriculture is at stake this year than whether cider or milk is named as the New Hampshire state beverage—although that question is stirring quite a debate.
The House Environment & Agriculture Committee is set to make recommendations on Feb. 18 about genetically modified organisms. Specifically, they’re deciding if genetically modified seeds should be labeled as such, and what rights farmers have if genetically modified organisms from other fields accidentally drift into their crops.
Continue Leave a Comment February 6, 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
Healthcare isn’t just about costs and insurance.
A sunset is scheduled for the quality assurance group overseeing New Hampshire’s hospitals, but House Bill 1169 would keep it working. And a review of all suicides in New Hampshire—nearly eight for every one homicide—may be created with House Bill 1384. Studying the reasons people take their own lives can lead to surprising insights, and could help prevent more suicides in the future.
Public hearings on both bills will be held in early February.
Continue Leave a Comment January 25, 2010
With gay marriage now legal, a Constitutional debate gets underway. Plus: General John Stark weighs in on the helmet law, immunization exemptions may not just be for the religious anymore, and one former business owner sparks legislation to end unemployment taxes for the self-employed. It’s all in a week’s work, and it will wrap up with Gov. Lynch’s State of the State address on Jan. 21.
Continue Leave a Comment January 15, 2010
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
