State House
Executive Council approves Goldner for utilities commission
Daniel Goldner will join the Public Utilities Commission as its newest commissioner after a 4-1 Executive Council vote Wednesday confirming his nomination. Councilor Cinde Warmington opposed the nomination, citing Goldner’s lack of relevant experience and knowledge. Goldner has worked at Texas Instruments, a company that makes semiconductors, for the past 33 years. “When I questioned […]
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 […]
With budget deadlines looming, local leaders seek clarity on American Rescue Plan money
Cities and towns throughout the state are trying to figure out exactly how they can spend money they will receive through the American Rescue Plan that sent $350 billion in emergency relief to state and local governments. The answer to that question has been slow to come, with the mounting pressure of spending and budgeting […]
Unpacking the budget: From tax reductions to red-listed bridges
This story was updated on May 4, 2021 at 10 a.m. to clarify the details of Gov. Chris Sununu’s Department of Energy proposal as well as the House’s Planned Parenthood provision. By now, debates over the big-ticket items in the New Hampshire state budget are well established. There’s Gov. Chris Sununu’s push for a continued […]
‘Ethical hacker’ named to Windham election audit
A prominent Finnish computer programmer and election expert will join a forensic audit of a New Hampshire town election last year, state officials announced Monday, boosting the profile of an investigation that’s caught the eye of Donald Trump. New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner and Attorney General John Formella have chosen Harri Hursti as […]
Lawmakers seek audit of Child Care Licensing Unit over delays
New Hampshire lawmakers have requested a performance audit of the state’s Child Care Licensing Unit, citing concerns over long delays with license renewals. The unit, a subdivision of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, is tasked with overseeing day cares, nurseries, and other programs in the state. In that role, the unit conducts […]
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 […]
Senate passes bill to release ‘Laurie List’ of police officers cited for bad conduct
The New Hampshire Senate passed a bill Thursday to gradually release one of New Hampshire’s most secretive documents: the list of police officers whose supervisors say they have credibility issues. In a rare unanimous vote, the body voted, 24-0, to approve a bill that would make the “Laurie List” public. The list, which was created […]
Commentary: Legislature looks at gun deaths across nation, says: ‘We need more guns’
The news is so pervasive, it makes you not want to turn on the TV or look online at all: There’s been another shooting. Where? A home in Texas. A grocery store in Boulder. A spa in Atlanta. This place. That place. It can happen anywhere. And it does. More than 100 people are killed […]
Bill aims to give FBI control of gun background checks
State lawmakers are weighing whether to eliminate the role of New Hampshire State Police in handgun background checks and defer to the FBI instead. A bill passed by the Senate in early April would end New Hampshire’s “gun line” – the service by which state police assist firearm sellers with background checks for prospective buyers. […]
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 […]