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Community mental health centers on the precipice of a ‘transformational’ moment
This story was updated June 30, 2021 to correct the spelling of Brian Collins’s name. The state’s 10 community mental health centers would be able to expand services significantly and offer statewide mobile crisis response under a contract going before the Executive Council Wednesday. “This is really transformational and something I have not experienced in […]
Closure plan in works for Sununu Youth Services Center
The state Department of Health and Human Services is wasting no time preparing a closure plan for the Sununu Youth Services Center before the March 1, 2023, deadline. The department has signed a $55,000 contract with Alvarez and Marsal Public Sector Services of Washington, D.C., to write a closure plan and a plan for transitioning […]
Sununu signs two-year budget into law
It’s official. Gov. Chris Sununu signed the $13.5 billion two-year state budget Friday afternoon, about 24 hours after it reached his desk. The budget and trailer bill cuts taxes on businesses, gives parents expansive education vouchers, and contain two bans: one on abortion at 24 weeks and another on the teaching of systemic oppression and […]
A deeper look at what did and didn’t make it into the budget
During the hours of debate over the New Hampshire budget Thursday, several flash points took center stage. Democrats were concerned with the 24-week abortion ban added into the budget in late May. They railed against the package of tax cuts – from the business taxes to the elimination of the interest and dividends tax. And […]
Shaheen seeks federal help in replacing money for reproductive health care cut from state budget
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said Friday she has asked the secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services to replace money for reproductive health care that lawmakers cut from the state budget they passed Thursday. In a follow-up virtual roundtable with several New Hampshire health care providers, Shaheen said she is also concerned […]
Legislation on gun background checks approved by lawmakers
Over the objection of some gun-rights advocates, all background checks for gun purchases in New Hampshire would be done using the FBI database under legislation headed to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. The House and Senate have passed two bills that take background checks on handguns away from the state police and give that job to […]
Bill easing restrictions on churches during state of emergency headed to governor’s desk
Churches would be no more restricted than Home Depot and liquor stores during the next state of emergency under a bill that passed the House and Senate Thursday. While churches were not closed during the pandemic, their attendance capacity was limited in the pandemic’s early days. Many businesses were restricted far less. In its initial […]
House tables ‘Second Amendment sanctuary’ bill
Local and state law enforcement won’t be prohibited from enforcing Biden administration gun restrictions – at least not immediately. The House voted, 354-19, Thursday to table Senate Bill 154, the so-called “Second Amendment sanctuary” legislation. Deputy Speaker Steven Smith, a Charlestown Republican, argued for the motion to table, saying that with more time lawmakers could […]
Democrats argue state has more pressing needs than compensating victims of FRM fraud
A lot has happened in the decade since the state busted the Financial Resources Mortgage Ponzi scheme that robbed nearly 150 people of $20 million. A state audit faulted the investigations led by state banking and justice officials. One of the key players wrote a book and ran for governor. And the ringleader has lost […]
AG withdraws business fines related to COVID-19 rule violations
The state budget up for a final vote Thursday includes $10,000 to repay the eight businesses fined for violating COVID-19 mask and social-distancing rules. But three never paid because their appeals were pending when the state of emergency ended. The state Attorney General’s Office withdrew the fines, saying while it still believes the owners’ violations […]
The good, the bad, and the ugly of tracking state and federal spending
This story was updated June 23, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. with new information. Does the federal government spend more on defense or health care? What percentage of the federal budget has gone to COVID-19 rental assistance? How about energy conservation? The UNH Carsey School of Public Policy just released FedGovSpend, an app that answers those […]
The unraveling of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire
The war within the state’s Libertarian Party began months ago, with complaints of milquetoast opposition to government pandemic lockdowns. It played out on Twitter, Facebook, and even on a nationally known podcast. It spurred allegations of data theft and prompted the party chair to secretly register a dueling Libertarian Party with the Secretary of State’s […]