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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 […]
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 […]