State House
With bail commissioners vastly underpaid, lawmakers seek remedies
When Franklin-area police departments arrest someone in the middle of the night, they often call Paul Leary to set that person’s bail. And when Leary, a New Hampshire bail commissioner, wakes up to help them, he’s supposed to receive $40 in fees from the defendant. That’s how New Hampshire’s current system works. But it requires […]
New Hampshire state-run cannabis model would use franchise system
If New Hampshire lawmakers pass the cannabis legalization bill preferred by Gov. Chris Sununu in 2024, the business model might look a little like McDonald’s. One large entity – the New Hampshire Liquor Commission – would oversee all the products, the marketing, and the layout of retail stores. But individual stores would be run by […]
State approves body and dash camera funding for six local police departments
Six New Hampshire police departments are set to receive the latest round of state funding to help buy body cameras and dashboard cameras, after the Executive Council approved the funds last week. The approvals will help the departments in purchasing, maintaining, and replacing their body and dashboard cameras. The money can also be used to […]
Governor’s race 2024: Here’s where the four candidates stand on the issues
This story was updated on Sept. 19 at 2:54 p.m. to correct Chuck Morse’s voting record on the 2022 changes to New Hampshire’s 24-week abortion ban. The New Hampshire state primary is a year away, but the race to succeed Gov. Chris Sununu in the corner office is well underway. Four major candidates have emerged […]
Council could get rejected family planning contracts for a fifth time
This story was updated on Sept. 19, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. to clarify that Planned Parenthood of Northern New England can apply for state family planning funding but not additional federal funding. The state’s Family Planning Program, which provides more than 17,000 Granite Staters low-cost basic health care, such as STI testing and treatment, cancer […]
New child care funding aimed at employers, centers, family providers
The state is investing nearly $6.75 million in federal money in two new initiatives to expand child care for parents and help employers become more aware and supportive of employees’ child care needs. Both projects were inspired by the Department of Health and Human Services’ plan to expand affordable quality child care across the state. […]
Jails, prisons are ‘default’ medical providers, and taxpayers are paying
Over the last several months, the Department of Corrections has needed an additional $6.5 million to keep up with inmate medical costs, including a 176 percent increase in ambulance costs since 2022. It’s not alone among correctional facilities. The superintendent of the Cheshire County jail has seen some medical costs jump 25 percent since last […]
Federal court strikes down remote voting lawsuit by House Democrats, again
The U.S. District Court of New Hampshire has rejected the latest attempt by Democratic lawmakers to force the House of Representatives to allow remote voting, dealing another blow to a multi-year legal effort. In a decision Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty granted the defendants – who included House Speaker Sherman Packard – a […]
As NH prison population declines, parole violators make up bigger share
More than a decade ago, a Democratic-majority New Hampshire Legislature passed a short-lived effort to reduce the number of people jailed for violating their parole. Today, amid new data showing high proportions of parole violators behind bars, some lawmakers are considering revisiting that model. Back in 2010, New Hampshire had seen 20 years of stable, […]
State GOP takes on illegal crossings with legislation, outreach
State Republican Party leaders announced Friday they are pursuing several initiatives to address increased illegal crossings from Canada, including legislation tightening bail laws and outlawing so-called “sanctuary cities,” and extending a welcome to immigrants and refugees who are in the state legally. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced in February an 846 percent increase in […]
NH extends support funding for Ukrainians, Afghans through 2025
With federal dollars provided to the state’s Office of Refugee Resettlement, the Executive Council this week voted to extend and increase contracts through fiscal year 2025 to continue supporting displaced populations from Ukraine and Afghanistan now residing in New Hampshire. The state will contract with Ascentria Care Alliance for $251,910 to continue with resettlement support […]
DES assistant commissioner resigns, leaving for private sector
The second-highest ranking environmental regulator in the state has resigned and will leave for the private sector. Mark Sanborn, assistant commissioner at the state’s Department of Environmental Services, notified the Executive Council of his resignation Wednesday. His last day with the state will be Oct. 5. Sanborn was confirmed as assistant commissioner at DES in […]