MESSAGE FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEADER DICK HINCH
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House Republicans & Friends Across New Hampshire,
The House will meet on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. and again on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. There will be a Republican caucus on Thursday April 4th at 9:00 a.m. in Rooms 301-303, LOB.
The House Finance committee will hold their executive session on HB1 & HB2, bills pertaining to the state budget, beginning Monday at 1PM, and continuing through Wednesday. Republicans on the committee have been fighting against the irresponsible spending and egregious tax and fee increases included in the plan, and we will be sending along details and talking points once it is finalized.
Be advised that the following week, there will be a presentation on the Democrats’ budget proposal in Representatives Hall on Tuesday, April 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The budget bills will be before the House for a vote on Thursday, April 11th.
All the best,
Dick Hinch, House Republican Leader
Click here to view the latest House Calendar
State House Republicans Joint Statement on Medicaid Work RequirementConcord, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu, Senate Republican Leader Chuck Morse, Senator Jeb Bradley, and House Republican Leader Dick Hinch issued the following statement on the recent Medicaid Work Requirement Lawsuits in Kentucky and Arkansas:
“New Hampshire’s work requirement is a key provision of the bi-partisan Medicaid expansion bill that passed with overwhelming support in the legislature and which Governor Sununu signed into law last July. The Democrats’ and their allies’ continued attempts to undermine that compromise through lawsuits and legislative maneuvering are deeply disappointing. Yesterday’s court decisions regarding the Kentucky and Arkansas Medicaid work requirements are trial court level decisions that are based on procedural issues and apply specifically to those states. A ruling from one federal trial court judge in Washington, D.C. is only the first step in the process, and we are confident that the work requirements approved for New Hampshire and every other state will ultimately be upheld. New Hampshire will move forward with implementation of our work requirement as required by law, and we will do everything we can to defend New Hampshire’s bi-partisan Medicaid program from those who are attempting to undermine it, including intervening in the lawsuit to assert our state’s interests.”
NH Journal: N.H. Man Sues Over Medicaid Work Requirement For Interfering With His “Subsistence Lifestyle”
“Granite State progressives are trying to kill the deal by filing lawsuits on behalf of put-upon people who are required to do 100 hours of work or community service a month in exchange for free healthcare.”Read the full story here.
Josiah Bartlett Center releases report on the Education Tax Credit Program
Titled, “The Education Tax Credit Program: Fact vs. Fiction” the Josiah Bartlett Center released a report on the Education Tax Credit Program this week. In an email announcement, they said,
“New Hampshire’s Education Tax Credit Program is under fire from legislators who want to kill the program or reduce its funding.
Unfortunately, much of the rhetoric accompanying these attacks is factually incorrect. Inaccurate and misleading statements have been used in testimony at legislative hearings, in public debate, and on social media in an attempt to discredit the program.
Today the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy releases a briefing paper that corrects many of those misstatements and explains what the program is, who is eligible, and how the program’s tiny financial impact is being misrepresented.”
You can read or download their briefing paper on their website.
VETO F.A.Q.
Now that House Democrats have sent over a slew of bad bills to the Senate, and vice versa, we’re hearing more and more one of our favorite terms this year: VETO. Here are a few Q’s and A’s on how any veto would come before the House:
What is required to override a governor’s veto of a bill?
To successfully override a governor’s veto, a 2/3 (or greater) majority of members present and voting must vote in favor of the override in both the House and Senate.
Example: If 350 House members vote on an override, 233 votes are needed to override. If 375 House members vote on an override, 250 votes are needed to override. There are currently 233 Democrat members of the House, therefore, if Republicans vote together, they could sustain any prospective veto.
If I support the Governor’s veto, what button do I push?
The question before the House will be “Notwithstanding the Governor’s veto, shall HBXX become law?”. Therefore, if you support the Governor’s veto, you would press the RED button.
If you support the bill becoming law, you would press the GREEN button.
Is the House required to act on the Governor’s vetoes?
Yes. Part II, Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution requires that the House act on the governor’s vetoes prior to the start of the new session. We’re not sure when the current speaker plans on addressing vetoes just yet, but he technically has until January to bring them forward.
Are there opportunities to offer an amendment to a vetoed bill?
No. The question before the House will be “Notwithstanding the Governor’s veto, shall HBXX become law?”. The bill will not be open for amendment or modification.
DETAILED EMPLOYMENT DATA RELEASED At 2.3 percent in February, the NH portion of the Lebanon NH-VT Micropolitan New England City and Town Area had the lowest unemployment rate in the state.
February 2019 unemployment rates for New Hampshire labor market areas (notseasonally adjusted) ranged from 2.3 percent in the NH portion of the Lebanon NH-VT MicroNECTA, to 4.4 percent in the Berlin NH MicroNECTA.
Labor force statistics for counties, labor market areas, and selected cities and towns are now available at www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/statistics/laus-data.htm. Data for these areas are not seasonally adjusted, and should be compared with the not seasonally adjusted New Hampshire data (found at the top of the table).
All February 2019 city and town unemployment rates are also available at the location noted above, while historical city and town data are available on our web site at www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/statistics/candt-arch.htm
The February seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for New Hampshire was released on March 19, 2019. That news release is also located at www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/statistics/laus-data.htm
3 Ways to Find and View Roll Call Votes
Earlier this week, the House Republican Office held a training for members on how to use find and interpret things on the General Court Website. Part of the presentation included the many ways to find Roll Call votes. A handout/email with the information was created to help those who were not able to attend. You can view the email here: 3 Ways to Find and View Roll Call Votes
House Session Bills Preview
There are several important pieces of legislation coming up next week. For more information, see below:
HB 120-FN
Bill Text: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billText.aspx?sy=2019&v=HP&id=33
Committee Amendment: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billtext.aspx?sy=2019&txtFormat=amend&id=2019-1034H
Committee Recommendation: OTP/A
Committee vote: 13-9
Republican Vote: Republicans on the committee unanimously opposed OTP/A
Minority Committee Report:
Rep. Erin Hennessey for the Minority of Finance. This bill is yet another roadblock for NH young adults looking to stay in our fine state and make a living. Not previously in statute, this bill requires a body art apprentice to pay a biannual fee of $110. An apprentice can only learn under the direct supervision of a licensed body art professional. Should NH also charge an apprentice fee for students learning poetry under the supervision of a professor at UNH, students studying accounting under supervision of an adjunct professor at CCSNH, or a student studying automotive technology under the supervision of their teacher at a CTE? No, we should not. NH needs to stop adding costs to those looking to learn and live in our state. As amended, this bill also adds a new fee for massage establishments employing two or more massage therapists. This fee is in addition to the licensing fees paid by each of the massage therapists.
HB 641-LOCAL
Bill Text: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billText.aspx?sy=2019&txtFormat=html&v=HA&id=800
Committee Amendment: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billtext.aspx?sy=2019&txtFormat=amend&id=2019-1159H
Committee Recommendation: OTP/A
Committee vote: 12-8
Republican Vote: Republicans on the committee unanimously opposed OTP/A
Minority Committee Report:
Rep. Charles Burns for the Minority of Ways and Means. Passage of this bill would be a major change of mindset for NH. Last term, the legislature refused to allow a local occupancy tax or fee to support local needs. Passage of this bill establishes a dangerous precedent by allowing local jurisdictions to impose a local occupancy fee. If a local occupancy fee is allowed, we would be opening up a Pandora’s box for future local fees and taxes on other types of sales. Hotels generate significant property taxes and spur other economic activity without adding significantly to the local education costs. The minority believes these funds are adequate to support the level of services required to handle this increase in local activity.
2019 HOUSE DEADLINES
Thursday, April 4, 2019 Last day to report budget bills, Last day to act on House Bills, except budget bills
Thursday, April 11, 2019 BUDGET CROSSOVER – Last day to act on budget bills
Thursday, May 2, 2019, noon Last day to report Senate Bills going to a second committee
Thursday, May 9, 2019 Last day to act on SBs going to a second committee
Thursday, May 30, 2019, noon Last day to report all remaining SBs, Last day to report list of retained SBs
Thursday, June 6, 2019 Last day to act on SBs
Thursday, June 13, 2019 Last day to form Committees of Conference
Thursday, June 20, 2019 Last day to sign Committee of Conference reports (4:00 p.m.)
Thursday, June 27, 2019 Last day to act on Committee of Conference reports
NH HOUSE STATS
Republicans: 167
Democrats: 233