Good morning!
Here is a rundown of today’s must-see, must-read news and opinion!
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Key drug-crisis bill fails by one in House
The best-laid plans can go off track, and that is what happened Wednesday to a key bill in the legislative package intended to address the state’s heroin and opioid crisis. By one vote, proponents of legalizing controlled drugs and opponents of increasing state retirees’ health premium costs joined together to kill Senate Bill 485. The bill would have provided $1.5 million in grants for local police departments for programs like Manchester’s Granite Hammer, which targets street-level dealers.
NH State House Roundup: Lawmakers approve new resident voting bill, though governor may veto it
Lawmakers Wednesday approved a bill to require a new resident to wait 10 days before they can vote in an election, although the governor has said she will veto the bill. The agreement between House and Senate negotiators on Senate Bill 4 also tightens language defining domicile for voting purposes making it more difficult for someone in the state temporarily — such as campaign workers — to vote in state elections. The House approved a 10-day waiting period after Gov. Maggie Hassan vetoed a bill last year with a 30-day voting period, but the Senate approved SB 4 this session with the same 30-day restriction.
Seniors will continue to ski free during the week, after House kills bill
The House rebelled against an agreement that would have ended free skiing during the week at Cannon Mountain for the state’s seniors. Seniors have been skiing for free under a state law allowing those over 65 years old to use park facilities for free during the week. House and Senate negotiators agreed on a plan that would have those 65 years old and above pay $5 a day at the only state-run ski area, increasing $5 a year until the lift ticket is one-third the standard price.
Two bills that would encourage business expansion approved
The House and Senate Wednesday approved two business tax bills that will make it easier for businesses to expand in the state. One bill, Senate Bill 342, changes how closely held companies such as sole proprietorships or limited liability companies are taxed when they receive an infusion of cash such as an initial public offering or investment capital. And the other bill would increase the amount companies can deduct for one-time capital expenditures.
Bill approved that will lower penalty for pot possession
With little debate, the House and Senate approved lowering the penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana, something supporters of decriminalizing say is a step sideways.
The bill approved Wednesday reduces first-time possession from a class A to an unspecified misdemeanor, which supporters say will give prosecutors and judges more discretion.
The House approved two bills this session to ensure that a first-time marijuana offender does not have a criminal record that follows him or her for a lifetime.
A Thousand Bills Later, N.H. Lawmakers Wrap Up Legislative Session
With more than 1,000 bills to sift through at the start of this legislative session, New Hampshire lawmakers wrapped up its last full session day of the year this Wednesday. And after having to work on a compromise state budget when the Governor vetoed the two-year spending bill last summer, and then being called back for special session to address the state’s drug crisis in the fall, state lawmakers are looking forward to a light summer workload. “It was an interminable session – I thought it would never end,” Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley says jokingly.
Hassan’s Veto Upholds Ban on some Firecrackers
Gov. Maggie Hassan has vetoed a bill that would repeal a ban on the sale and use of some firecrackers in New Hampshire. Hassan said Tuesday that it’s unnecessary to change current law, which already provides public access to fireworks while aiming to minimize safety risks. She says none of the proponents of the House bill made a compelling argument for changing the law. She says the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs and the state fire marshal’s office oppose the bill, too. The bill would have allowed the use of some, but not all, fireworks.
Lawmakers kill drug-fight cash, fail to revive conversion therapy ban
The legislative session ended on a chaotic note Wednesday as New Hampshire lawmakers unexpectedly killed $1.5 million in drug enforcement funding, and House Democrats unsuccessfully attempted a last minute revival of a bill to ban gay conversion therapy. Dozens of other bills are now heading to Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan’s desk as House and Senate lawmakers head home for summer. The effort to expand a police program called “Operation Granite Hammer” isn’t one of them. It would have provided $1.5 million in grant funding for local and county police departments to put more officers on the streets and crack down on the flow of illegal drugs.
Danles nominated to head licensing and certification office
Peter Danles was nominated by Gov. Maggie Hassan as the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification’s new executive director at the Executive Council meeting. The consolidation of many licensing and certification offices was recommended by the Governor’s Commission on State Government Innovation, Efficiency and Transparency and Hassan proposed it in the current biennial budget.
New Hampshire ban on lead fishing tackle takes effect
One of the nation’s toughest bans on lead fishing tackle went into effect in the state on Wednesday in an effort to help protect loons and other birds. Loon Preservation Committee senior biologist Harry Vogel said the law goes beyond use to include sales, and it covers sinkers up to an ounce, more far-reaching than most other states’ laws. “This is big day for loons,” he said. “This is huge. Loons are aquatic birds that dive for their food, and they can become poisoned by consuming lead tackle in fish or mistaking it for something edible or for the tiny pebbles they swallow to help digestion. Vogel said lead tackle was the largest cause of loon mortality in New Hampshire, with the state losing 124 loons from 1989 to 2011 because of lead sinkers.
OPINION
Dan Tuohy’s Granite Status: Guinta files for re-election without making an appearance
Shhhh, Frank Guinta filed for re-election. No remarks. No questions from the press. No supporters lining the hall outside the Secretary of State’s office because, well, the candidate wasn’t there — an aide dropped off his declaration of candidacy. On Wednesday, his campaign cited a scheduling conflict. Guinta spoke at the NH Aerospace and Defense Conference at the Radisson in Manchester that morning, as did Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, who later held a big to-do at the State House before she filed for re-election.
CAMPAIGN 2016
There’s now a 3-way GOP primary for open Seacoast state Senate seat
THREE-WAY GOP PRIMARY. Last week, we reported on the retirement from the state Senate of three-term District 24 Sen. Nancy Stiles and former congressional candidate Dan Innis’ bid to succeed her. In the past week, there has been much talk about District 24, andon Wednesday, we learned that NHGOP Area Vice Chair Ray Tweedie of Rye plans to become a candidate. The official announcement will be made on Thursday. Also, as WMUR.com first reported on Twitter on Wednesday, conservative businessman Steve Kenda of North Hampton will announce his candidacy for the open seat on Thursday and will file his candidacy on June 10.
The media is firing back at Donald Trump over his takedown of the political press on Tuesday. National Press Club president Thomas Bur released a scathing statement attacking the presumptive GOP presidential nominee for “misunderstanding” or “simply opposing” a free press. “Any American political candidate who attacks the press for doing its job is campaigning in the wrong country,” Burr said.Carol Lee, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), expressed concerns about the possibility of a president or candidate limiting free speech or access to his or her administration.
Ayotte files for re-election, questions Hassan’s grasp of security
U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, after filing candidate papers for re-election today, questioned Democratic challenger Gov. Maggie Hassan’s grasp of threats facing the nation. Ayotte said foreign policy would be a big issue in the race, one of the hottest in the country given the potential to swing majority control of the Senate. “I think this will be an issue in this race because you already have examples of where Governor Hassan hasn’t had the same level of depth of understanding of the threats that we face or how to address them,” Ayotte said to reporters.
Incumbent and Underdog Cross Paths as Ayotte, Rubens File for U.S. Senate Primary
When Kelly Ayotte officially registered her candidacy for re-election to the Senate yesterday, many were focused on how a race between her and Gov. Maggie Hassan might play out. But before she can get to that, Ayotte must first contend with a primary challenge from Jim Rubens, a former Republican state senator. He also filed his candidacy yesterday.Ayotte started her visit to the State House with a rally on the front lawn. There, she was introduced by former Republican Governor Steve Merrill who described her as a fighter who knows how to get things done. Then Ayotte’s husband Joseph Daley talked about the senator’s softer side.
Eyeing Chance to Seize Majority, N.H. Dems Announce Slate of State Senate Candidates
The New Hampshire Democratic Party put forward a nearly full slate of state Senate candidates today, eyeing a chance to reclaim the majority in a year when a good chunk of the chamber’s seats will be up for grabs. Of the 24 current state Senators, eight aren’t planning to run again — either because they’re retiring, or they’re pursuing other political posts. (This level of turnover isn’t necessarily uncommon: As previously reported, eight members also stepped aside in 2012.)
IN OTHER NEWS
Six recipients honored for their achievement, dedication to NH
St. Paul’s sued by victim in Labrie case
Jim Rivers
Director of Communications
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