Rural areas to benefit from NH’s new broadband law
read more…: Rural areas to benefit from NH’s new broadband lawA bill intended to enhance the state’s broadband infrastructure was signed into law Wednesday.
Byline: Garry Rayno
Posts by Garry Rayno
Masks now mandatory in State House complex
read more…: Masks now mandatory in State House complexFace masks will be required to enter or pass through the State House complex after the Joint Facilities Committee voted 11-0 to approve the new policy Tuesday.
Federal charter school start-up grant derailed again
read more…: Federal charter school start-up grant derailed againThe Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee again refused to accept a federal $10.1 million grant for charter school start-up money.
Abortion, sexual assault, police force, minimum wage: 2020 session is history with House’s work Tuesday
read more…: Abortion, sexual assault, police force, minimum wage: 2020 session is history with House’s work TuesdayThe House approved a number of omnibus bills created by Senate committees around topics like workers protections, criminal justice reforms, child protection, sexual assault and transportation Tuesday on the last day of the 2020 session sending the bills to the governor.
Senate panel approves COVID-induced voting changes
read more…: Senate panel approves COVID-induced voting changesVoting will be different this year with the coronavirus pandemic and state officials are taking steps to protect the health of voters and election workers.
Senate panel backs ‘Red Flag’ gun confiscation bill along party lines
read more…: Senate panel backs ‘Red Flag’ gun confiscation bill along party linesDown party lines and after three hours of testimony, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill supporters say will help prevent suicide, but opponents contend tramples fundamental constitutional rights.
Partisan divide: Ugly House session draws toward close in Durham
read more…: Partisan divide: Ugly House session draws toward close in DurhamThe House met in a historic session Thursday for the first time in three months, but the partisan divide characterizing this session prevailed and most bills on the calendar died without a vote… The only bill making it over the two-thirds majority hurdle would allow restaurants and bars to sell their keg beer by the growler before it spoils.
Senate Education Committee overhauls school disciplinary system
read more…: Senate Education Committee overhauls school disciplinary systemUnder an omnibus education bill, students would be less likely to be suspended or expelled from schools, but more able to access support services for behavioral health issues.
NH revenue doom and gloom will take time to lift
read more…: NH revenue doom and gloom will take time to liftThe COVID-19 pandemic may trigger an increase in business tax rates, something Gov. Chris Sununu opposes.
Bad blood boils over between Dems, GOP before House reopens
read more…: Bad blood boils over between Dems, GOP before House reopensHouse Republicans voted Tuesday to block action on bills next month when the House meets for the first time since Mid-March unless the Democratic leadership gives them more input.
Financial ills spread across state’s healthcare providers from COVID-19
read more…: Financial ills spread across state’s healthcare providers from COVID-19The COVID-19 epidemic has taken a large bite out of the revenues of healthcare organizations – from large to small hospitals, visiting nurse associations, regional providers and nursing homes, an advisory committee was told Tuesday.
Hospitals in critical condition, committee contends
read more…: Hospitals in critical condition, committee contendsMeeting Wednesday the group worked to refine a document expressing its priorities on spending about $350 million of the federal money immediately in addition to the $250 million in CARES Act money Gov. Chris Sununu has already allocated and other federal programs designed to help with the coronavirus pandemic.
Legislative Panel parsing federal COVID-19 help
read more…: Legislative Panel parsing federal COVID-19 helpMembers continued to ask Monday for detailed information on relief funds already distributed by the governor and the amount of the $1.25 billion CARES Act funds already allocated.
Business leaders: Hospitality, retail losses ‘catastrophic’
read more…: Business leaders: Hospitality, retail losses ‘catastrophic’The economic shutdown due to the coronavirus epidemic has been devastating to the hospitality and retail industries, a legislative advisory committee was told Wednesday.
Governor and legislators argue power of the COVID-19 purse
read more…: Governor and legislators argue power of the COVID-19 purseDoes a governor have such expansive power under a state of emergency that he can bypass the Legislature’s constitutional “power of the purse?” That question was argued for two hours in a court hearing on Monday.
Donchess, Craig, towns and counties detail COVID-19 costs
read more…: Donchess, Craig, towns and counties detail COVID-19 costsManchester is particularly concerned about rooms and meals revenue, said Mayor Joyce Craig, because the city uses that money to pay off the bonds for the USNH Arena.
Decision on reopening schools should come next week, Edelblut says
read more…: Decision on reopening schools should come next week, Edelblut saysParents, educators and students should know by the end of next week if they will be learning from home for the rest of the school year or returning to school facilities across the state.
What to do with federal COVID-19 funds?
read more…: What to do with federal COVID-19 funds?Lawmakers will try something new Friday, holding a teleconference Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee meeting, including a discussion of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers hear testimony on ending statute of limitations on sex assault
read more…: Lawmakers hear testimony on ending statute of limitations on sex assaultVictims of childhood sexual abuse urged lawmakers Tuesday to eliminate the statute of limitations on sexual abuse.
Police chiefs oppose bill to sell pot in state liquor stores
read more…: Police chiefs oppose bill to sell pot in state liquor stores“This bill does not go far enough to protect the health of children,” said the organization’s lobbyist Kate Frey. “There may be no marketing or advertising, but there is no limit on sales or the type or products.”