State House
Fiscal committee approves use of $22.5 million in federal funds for vaccination efforts
New Hampshire is no longer the only state in the country to reject millions in federal money for its vaccine program. The Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee on Friday voted, 6-4, to give the state Department of Health and Human Services the last approval it needed to spend $22.5 million to enhance its vaccine registry, manage […]
$17 million proposal for student debt relief is tabled
Lawmakers put a pause on a proposed $17 million student debt relief program Friday until the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery can tell them more, including who would be eligible, what industries would be targeted, and how they’ll sustain a program started with one-time federal money. Taylor Caswell, executive director of GOFERR, told […]
Uproar over form to report teachers puts state’s Commission for Human Rights in the spotlight
Ahni Malachi doesn’t have time to wade into political disputes. As executive director of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, Malachi, her staff, and her panel of commissioners field around 200 allegations of discrimination every year – evaluating claims by tenants, employees, and patrons. “I kind of come in every day and put my […]
O’Neill to step down as director of the Office of the Child Advocate
Moira O’Neill, New Hampshire’s director of the Office of the Child Advocate, will not seek a second term in the role, she announced Wednesday – three years after she started as the watchdog agency’s first director. “This opportunity was the capstone of a career and scholarship,” O’Neill said in a statement, thanking Gov. Chris Sununu […]
Redistricting committee sends maps to the full House
In a three-hour executive session, the House Special Redistricting Committee voted on all the maps it was tasked with redistricting, including county commissioner, the House of Representatives, and congressional districts. The committee reached bipartisan agreement on five out of the nine county commission maps: Coos, Hillsborough, Sullivan, Belknap, and Grafton. Strafford County elects its county […]
Federal judge sides with GOP states challenging limits on tax cuts in pandemic relief law
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Alabama has ruled in favor of attorneys general in 13 Republican-led states – including New Hampshire – that sued the federal government over a section of a coronavirus relief bill that barred states from using relief money to offset tax cuts. The ruling, which granted a permanent injunction, found […]
House committee passes amendment blocking businesses from mandating vaccines
A late amendment that would disallow private businesses from mandating vaccines and expand vaccine exemptions to include natural immunity and philosophical objections passed the House Education Committee Tuesday, 11-8, with the support of one Democrat, Barbara Shaw of Manchester. The vote followed a nearly five-hour public hearing in which most speakers supported the legislation. While […]
House committee recommends ending ban on campaign paraphernalia in polling places
New Hampshire’s ban on voter-worn campaign clothing and paraphernalia on Election Day could be eliminated under a bill recommended on party lines by a House committee Friday. Voting 11-9, the House Election Law Committee recommended “ought to pass” on House Bill 87, which would strike out a law prohibiting the items inside polling places. The […]
Committee votes to recommend bill creating renewable portfolio standard exemption
The House Ways and Means Committee has given the green light to a bill that would exempt state and local governments, including cities and towns, from paying into what’s called the renewable portfolio standard. The “ought to pass” recommendation on Wednesday for House Bill 614, which was retained last session, followed a a flurry of […]
Study committee issues recommendations on medical intervention and immunization laws
After six days of testimony from state officials, health care leaders, business organizations, and more than 50 members of the public, a legislative study committee charged with looking at medical intervention and immunization laws has two recommendations for lawmakers. Employers, its report said, should be required to grant any request for a medical, religious, or […]
Opponents of $22.5 million vaccine contract blast ‘underhanded’ Executive Council vote
The vaccine and mandate protesters who took credit last month when the Executive Council’s Republicans rejected a $22.5 million federal vaccine contract were surprised and unhappy to learn on Twitter Wednesday that most of those Republicans had reversed themselves. And not only because their victory was short-lived. The contract wasn’t on the public agenda or […]
How federal funds will bolster infrastructure in New Hampshire
Another windfall of federal money is expected to start flowing into New Hampshire soon, as the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that passed Congress is now awaiting a signature from President Joe Biden to become law. Here’s what we know about how those funds would help bolster infrastructure and clean energy in New Hampshire. […]