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In legislative push for religious liberty, some see potential for discrimination
Like most states, New Hampshire never ordered churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship to close after COVID-19 hit the state, but it did limit how many could attend services. That was unconstitutional, several pastors told a Senate committee Tuesday, given that retailers and liquor stores were unrestricted. “We know that the churches and places […]
High court rules against state in ’emergency room boarding’ case
The New Hampshire Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against the state’s argument that with a shortage of psychiatric beds, it can hold people in emergency rooms indefinitely, against their will, after finding them in need of emergency mental health care. The court said the state Department of Health and Human Services must provide individuals probable […]
$1.5 billion in federal relief headed to New Hampshire
This story was updated May 11, 2021 at 5 p.m. with a statement from the governor’s office that was sent after deadline. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed in March is bringing at least $1.5 billion to New Hampshire. The U.S. Treasury announced Monday that the state will receive $994.5 million. The state’s 10 […]
Unemployment in a pandemic is stressful – even before the overpayment notices
The New Hampshire Department of Employment Security recently announced it was dropping its effort to collect $25 million in unemployment “overpayments” from 8,000 people who did not, upon review, qualify for benefits. But those overpayment notices, which are stressful and take months to reverse, have also been going to people who not only did qualify […]
House Democrats want funding for remote access to hearings included in budget
This story was updated on May 10, 2021 at 5 p.m. to correct the legislative expenses related to COVID-19. In a press conference Friday, House Democrats called on Speaker Sherman Packard to include funding for ongoing remote access to legislative hearings in the next state budget. Their federal lawsuit seeking a court order requiring remote […]
Unemployment benefits blamed for local employers’ hiring woes
In another time, an April virtual job fair co-hosted by the state would have been a job hunter’s dream: 100 employers looking to fill 3,400 jobs. Not these days. Only 138 people showed up. Employment experts say the federal assistance that rescued so many Americans during the pandemic’s unprecedented health and financial crisis may be […]
Advocates seek increase in funding for independent-living program
More than 400 seniors and people with disabilities are able to live independently rather than in a nursing home thanks to a Medicaid program that brings assistance for basic needs to them. But the state so underfunds the program that the care falls far short of what is needed, advocates and clients of the program […]
After a year of pandemic, mental health challenges are many
New Hampshire’s crawl toward reopening is now a sprint. Weeks after ending the state’s mask mandate, Gov. Chris Sununu will lift pandemic restrictions on businesses Friday and wants all state workers back to the office by Monday. Not everyone is celebrating, say mental health workers. A year of isolation, death, uncertainty, and fear has been […]
Senators urged to prioritize health care, public education in state budget
This story was updated May 5, 2021 at 8 a.m. Developmental disability advocates, school representatives, health care leaders, and residents took to a public microphone Tuesday to argue for specific priorities in the New Hampshire budget, in a marathon hearing that highlighted broad concerns with the state’s funding models. During a nine-hour virtual listening session […]
For remote work, study ranks state in the top five
Last winter, the Northwest Arkansas Council offered $10,000 and a free bike to remote workers willing to relocate there within six months. That’s what it takes, perhaps, when your state ranks as the 47th best state for remote work. New Hampshire needs no such incentives. According to a recent study by WalletHub, the Granite State […]
Proposed restrictions on reproductive health care funding loom large in budget debate
This story was updated on May 3, 2021 at 8 a.m. The pandemic left Rep. Joshua Query unemployed and underinsured – and then in a medical crisis when a former partner called to say he had exposed Query to HIV. Query could afford only one option: Planned Parenthood. The medical team not only charged Query […]
House committee to take up bill changing business profits tax threshold
This story was updated May 3, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. to correct the House committee hearing the bill. Fewer New Hampshire businesses will have to pay the business profits tax under a bill before the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday. Senate Bill 101 would raise the income threshold that determines which businesses pay the […]