News
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 […]
Liquor Commission poised to become direct shipper of alcohol
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is close to gaining approval to become a direct shipper of alcohol, with the House set to pass legislation that would send the long-held priority to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. Senate Bill 14 would permit the commission to register with the New Hampshire Secretary of State as a direct shipper […]
Omnibus environmental bill on renewable energy and utilities moves to the House
The House will take up an omnibus environmental bill on Thursday that would require the state to adopt rules about energy storage, among three other renewable energy measures. The legislation also includes proposals regarding hydroelectric generation, group credits for net metering, and the purchase of energy across states. With battery usage and other energy storage […]
With new urgency, efforts to address mental health crisis getting back on track
The Legislature’s $20 million plan in 2019 to expand desperately needed mental health services stalled after the pandemic hit. A recent state Supreme Court ruling and stories of kids and adults waiting days in emergency rooms for help has put that effort back on track. The Senate is poised to reverse two significant cuts to […]
Summer hiking season begins – and rescue season along with it
Memorial Day kicks off the summer hiking season in New Hampshire, and with it, hikers who need rescuing. If last year is any indication, a lot of those rescues will be done by phone. Typically, the state Fish and Game search-and-rescue team averages about 50 “non-responsive” rescues a year, meaning someone from the team can […]
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 […]
Environmental Services says state is approaching widespread drought
Half of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, according to a recent report from the Department of Environmental Services. The state agency is urging water suppliers to track drought conditions and to ask individuals to conserve water. The state has put out guidance for municipalities on lawn-watering restrictions. Restrictions can go into place in […]
Heading for a national park? The ‘biggest season in the history of the Park Service’ predicted
Leaders of a U.S. Senate panel this week extolled national parks for providing a respite during the COVID-19 pandemic, but cautioned that enthusiasm for outdoors recreation will create its own problems in this summer’s tourism wave. Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent and the chairman of a subcommittee that oversees the U.S. National Park Service, […]
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 […]
Essential information about energy usage in the state is elusive, and that’s a costly problem
When April Salas set out to acquire information about energy usage in Hanover, she was in for an uphill battle. Salas is the sustainability director of the town, population 11,500, which has the resources to consider such a project. In 2018, Hanover decided to put together a program that would allow it to procure green […]
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 […]