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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 […]
Sununu: ‘Drastic changes’ to state’s firearm safety laws ‘nothing I support’
A bill prohibiting the state from enforcing any federal executive orders restricting access to guns is likely headed to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. The question is: Would he sign it? Asked about his position Thursday, Sununu cited New Hampshire’s own record on guns. “It doesn’t mean we’re immune and couldn’t have a very tragic situation […]
House committee backs ‘Second Amendment sanctuary’ bill
A House committee voted, 11-10, Wednesday to join Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, and several other states in barring state enforcement of any federal executive orders restricting Second Amendment rights. The Senate already passed Senate Bill 154, 14-10, along party lines. It now heads for a vote in the full House. The so-called “Second Amendment sanctuary” bill […]
New guidance gives a bit of breathing room on wearing masks outdoors
Just in time for cookouts and black flies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday fully vaccinated people can socialize and dine outdoors with a small group of friends without wearing a mask, even if those friends are unvaccinated. In its new color-coded guide, the CDC still recommends everyone wear masks at crowded […]
Bill adds to list of qualifying conditions for medicinal marijuana
Insomniacs and people with autism spectrum disorder may soon have a new treatment option: medicinal marijuana. A bill adding both to the state’s qualifying conditions sailed through the House this month and won unanimous support from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee following a hearing where no one testified in opposition. The full Senate […]
Bill on citizenship exam requirement heads to Senate Education Committee
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? Why were the Federalist Papers important? Both questions are on the federal citizenship exam, and you must get a 60 or better to pass. You’d have to do 10 points better to graduate from a state university or community college under a bill before […]
Bill aims to block enforcement of gun-related executive orders
President Joe Biden’s executive orders limiting access to guns could not be enforced in New Hampshire under a bill before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. The bill would prohibit the state from enforcing any federal orders that restrict, regulate, or place conditions on an individual’s right to have guns. Similar “Second Amendment […]
Student loan repayment program to expand
The state is expanding its student loan repayment program, a critical recruiting tool for the community mental health centers and providers who work with low-income people. And there’s hope good budget news this year will allow even more expansion. Currently, certain drug and alcohol counselors, mental health workers, nurse practitioners, and several other health care […]
Pandemic fight, ‘personal liberty’ collide in state legislatures
Rep. Tim Lang introduced his “immunization freedom” bill in 2019, before COVID-19, to end a state requirement that foster parents be vaccinated against the flu and other communicable diseases. Once the pandemic arrived, so did out-of-staters determined to recast it as an anti-mandate, “personal liberty” bill, similar to nearly 500 others pending in state legislatures […]
State sees boost in tax revenue
This story was updated April 20, 2021 at 4 p.m. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created an economic crisis for many, the state has seen a boost in tax revenue, including for tobacco, business, real estate, and interest and dividends taxes. The exception is rooms and meals, which is down 17 percent from what the […]
Tourism rebounds even as pandemic persists
By September, Melissa and Nick Kielbania of Ipswich, Massachusetts, needed a vacation. Their three kids were home, attending school remotely, and their jobs – his at a hospital, hers with the post office – felt relentless. They chose New Hampshire because it was the closest state with the fewest COVID-19 restrictions. “Our governor (Republican Charlie […]
What’s keeping some at state hospital? No transitional housing
A lack of transitional housing is among the top reasons people remain in New Hampshire Hospital longer than needed, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. An unexpected delay in adding 22 more spots means that’s not changing soon. It also means that adults in a psychiatric crisis will continue to wait […]