Posts by Laura Aronson
The state legislature is expected to vote April 19 on a bill that aims to reduce the number of criminal offenders in jail. Many are held in jail solely because they cannot post the required cash for their release.
With its large immigrant population, Manchester has numerous adults studying English and life skills in several different programs as part of their path to citizenship.
Manchester state representatives on Monday attended an information session about “Marsy’s Law,” CACR 22, a proposed constitutional amendment for victims’ rights.
The bill modifies the definition of who is a resident for voting registration purposes.
Advocates and opponents weighed in during the April 10 hearing.
Understanding how taxes work requires understanding the city’s tax cap and the process of accounting for property taxes.
The Manchester Water Works just released its 2017 water quality report. The water is in conformance with EPA limits and meets stringent state and federal drinking water regulations.
On Wednesday the state legislature voted down HB 1485, a bill that would have increased the maximum allowable amount for a security deposit paid to a landlord to two-months’ rent.
More than 50 parents and community members in attendance asked about security procedures and made suggestions, including arming and training teachers. In response to audience questions, the panelists detailed a comprehensive set of procedures and technologies that the school district has already implemented or is currently rolling out.
A constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law that affords rights to crime victims, CACR 22, has strong support in New Hampshire. It is co-sponsored by 23 of 24 state senators, including Manchester Senators Kevin Cavanaugh (D-16), Lou D’Allesandro (D-20), and Donna Soucy (D-18). It is supported by Gov. Chris Sununu, and numerous community organizations.
A public hearing on the bill’s new amendment has been scheduled by the committee for 1 p.m. March 9, and a second hearing on March 14.
Among the 32-person Manchester delegation, two representatives, Mark McLean, R-District 44, and Kathleen Souza, R-District 43, voted against the bill.
The organization, part of a national network of over 90 similar groups, informs communities on foreign policy and world affairs, enriches global education for teachers and students, and connects New Hampshire with international visitors.
Don Balz, award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Washington Post, was the moderator of the free forum, held Feb. 21, titled Leaks, Fake News, and a Free Press.
Gov. Chris Sununu will attend an event Tuesday in Manchester sponsored by the organization lobbying in the state legislature for education savings accounts (ESAs). Sununu strongly supports SB 193, which he called “groundbreaking legislation.”
Liberty Utilities is proposing a natural gas pipeline that would be installed 732 feet (a little over a tenth of a mile) from Manchester’s public water source, Lake Massabesic.
A federal appeals court ruled in December that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must update its rule on lead poisoning within 60 days and implement a final regulation one year after that. The EPA last reviewed its rule 17 years ago.
A mandatory abortion reporting bill, HB 471, failed to pass on January 3, with a vote of 165 to 189. Six Manchester state reps voted for it.
Intended to expand educational choices available to parents and students, it creates an Education Savings Account (ESA) program which enables the transfer of public funds from public schools to parents, who can spend it on private schools or services related to homeschooling.
Mayor Joyce Craig said she plans to “lead from the neighborhoods, not from behind my desk,” and promised to hold regular “office hours” at businesses, retirement communities, schools and community centers, to “make City Hall more accessible to everyone.”