Briefs
Proposal would provide protections to sex workers reporting sexual assault
This story was updated on April 21 at 5:12 p.m. to correct the spelling of Pamela Keilig’s name. A proposal before the Senate Judiciary Committee aims to provide protections to sex workers who report a sexual assault. Opponents of the measure said it would grant sex workers immunity from all crimes, a claim the bill’s […]
Federal background checks on ammunition sales pushed by Democrats
WASHINGTON — Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on Tuesday reintroduced legislation that would require instant background checks to prevent people with a criminal record from illegally purchasing ammunition. The measure backed by the Democrats, known as Jaime’s Law, is named in honor of Jaime Guttenberg, a student who […]
Voting record of superior court nominee Conway under scrutiny
The state Attorney General’s Office has been asked to investigate whether a superior court judicial nominee lived in one town and voted in another in 2008. At a confirmation hearing last week, Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway said she voted in Atkinson in 2008 while helping her elderly father to the polls. At that time, […]
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 […]
With dog theft on the rise, lawmakers look to crack down
There’s a dark side to the increase in demand for pets during the pandemic: when those procuring the animals do so illegally. Dog theft has been on the rise nationally during the pandemic, with thieves snatching dogs from their yards and even from houses. Now state lawmakers are considering a proposal to increase the penalty […]
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 […]
Agreement reached on law to release ‘Laurie List’ on police misconduct
This story was updated April 17, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Police unions, New Hampshire newspapers, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office say they have reached an agreement on a way to release the state’s “Laurie List” – a list compiled over decades of police officers with credible complaints of […]
Sununu says state mask mandate will not be renewed
New Hampshire’s mask mandate will become a mask recommendation – “when appropriate” – on Saturday. Gov. Chris Sununu announced Thursday at his weekly COVID-19 update that the state will not renew the mask mandate when it expires Friday. Businesses, cities, towns, and schools can continue requiring masks. He also announced that on May 7, he […]
State’s mayors seek restoration of revenue sharing
New Hampshire’s 13 mayors are turning to the Senate for an ambitious ask: a boost in municipal aid in the budget. In a letter sent Wednesday to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Gary Daniels, mayors from Claremont to Rochester urged Senate budget writers to restore revenue sharing to cities and towns – a once-standard budgeting approach […]
Efforts waylaid to make Indigenous People’s Day an official state holiday
When a proposal about Indigenous People’s Day in New Hampshire came out of a House committee, Paul Pouliot of Alton was surprised by what he saw – and not in a good way. It had changed so much that Pouliot was glad when the proposal was ultimately tabled. Pouliot is the council chief and speaker […]
Seventy-three bills killed after House crashes against mid-session deadline
Seventy-three bills failed to get a vote in the New Hampshire House after lawmakers missed a key deadline Friday, angering Democrats who accused House Speaker Sherman Packard of setting up the schedule to fail. In one fell swoop, as the House session came to a close Friday, bills ranging from voting to criminal justice died […]
Merrimack Republican Boyd wins House seat
Republican Bill Boyd captured one of the New Hampshire House’s 400 seats Tuesday evening, beating back a high-intensity Democratic challenge to succeed the late Republican Speaker Dick Hinch. In a 2,531 to 2,144 vote, Boyd prevailed against Democrat Wendy Thomas to win one of eight House seats in Merrimack. The town held a special election […]