State House
Critics unpersuaded by Senate changes to ‘divisive concepts’ bill
When Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley introduced the latest version of the “divisive concepts” bill last week, he made sure to stress what it didn’t include. The newest version of the controversial anti-critical-race-theory bill does not stop teachers from teaching about racism in American history, Bradley said. It does not prohibit public employers from hosting […]
Senate Finance Committee signs off on state budget bills
A broadly altered version of New Hampshire’s two state budget bills cleared a key Senate committee Friday, setting the stage for a partisan floor fight when the whole chamber votes on June 3. In a 5-2, party-line vote, members of the Senate Finance Committee voted to recommend passage of a budget that would transform multiple […]
Senate OKs earlier state primary date, limits on governor’s emergency powers, PFAS protections
In a Senate session on Thursday, lawmakers approved proposals to move the primary from September to August, limit the governor’s emergency powers, and increase PFAS protections and funding. As senators approach the end of the session, they are up against a June 3 deadline to act on all pending legislation. Election law Two election law […]
Senate committee adds amended ‘divisive concepts’ language to state budget
A key Senate committee moved forward an amended version of the “divisive concepts” bill, adding it to the New Hampshire budget and setting up another test for Gov. Chris Sununu. In a 4-2, party-line vote, Republicans on the Finance Committee voted to insert an amended version of the legislation into the budget trailer bill, adding […]
School voucher program added to budget
A controversial proposal to allow New Hampshire parents to use public funds for private school tuition will move ahead next month, after the Senate Finance Committee added the program to the state budget. Voting along party lines Wednesday, the committee attached the proposal, known as the “education freedom account” program, to House Bill 2, the […]
‘Religious liberty’ bill amended to address discrimination concerns
An amended version of a “religious liberty” bill up for a Senate vote Thursday preserves a church’s right to stay open during a future state of emergency but eliminates what civil rights advocates said would allow for discrimination on religious grounds. Rep. Keith Ammon, a New Boston Republican and House Bill 542’s sponsor, supports the […]
Bill barring release of mug shots approved by Judiciary Committee
Senators on the Judiciary Committee approved a measure Tuesday that would bar police from releasing most mug shots after arrests, in a 3-2 committee vote that defied party lines. House Bill 125 would still allow police departments to take post-arrest photographs of accused perpetrators. But the bill would prohibit the release of the mug shots […]
Democrats: Strike ‘divisive concepts’ language from the budget
On Tuesday, Democrats said that cutting House Bill 544 out of the state’s biennial budget would be nonnegotiable in Wednesday’s budget session. Senate Republicans will introduce their version of the budget policy bill on Wednesday and vote on it during the same session. HB 544 – a proposal that would ban teaching and training around […]
Targeted by white supremacists, lawmaker seeks solidarity
Early last week, Rep. Manny Espitia’s friend – Nashua Alderman Tom Lopez – told him that white supremacists had left a tag on a community mural near the rail trail, in a neighborhood that is predominantly Latino. The messages included “Keep New England White,” “Defend New England,” and “Death to Israel.” Espitia’s first reaction was […]
Republicans on Senate Finance vote against aid for homeless shelters
Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee voted down a $20 million proposal to aid homeless shelters Monday, stopping an effort that Democrats and the state’s Department of Health and Human Services said was necessary to meet a growing need. In a 3-4 vote, the committee declined to pass the measure, presented as an amendment to […]
Senate panel approves earlier state primary date
On Monday, the Senate Election Law Committee approved a proposal to move New Hampshire’s state primary election to August – a midway point between the House proposal to move the election to June and the current September primary date. The panel also approved two other proposals on Monday: one would require the attorney general to […]
Electric buses, asphalt, and bridges: Politicians jostle for federal transportation cash
WASHINGTON — The nearly $1 billion that U.S. Rep. Garret Graves is seeking through Congress’ revamped earmarks process isn’t a typo. The Louisiana Republican says Baton Rouge desperately needs a new bridge to alleviate a crush of roadway congestion – at a cost of $955.2 million for several projects. That far exceeds the $20 million that […]