By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD — State public health officials asked lawmakers Tuesday not to accept $27 million in federal money to expand the state’s vaccination program against COVID-19.

A one-sentence letter dated Oct. 19 from Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette to the former chair of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, says the department wants to withdraw the two items for expanding the program from the committee agenda for Friday’s meeting.

The fiscal committee has to approve accepting the federal funds for the state.

Last week the Executive Council on a party-line, 4-1 vote, refused to approve the two items submitted by Gov. Chris Sununu and the agency.

Two of the councilors expressed concern about vaccination mandates for private businesses and suggested a prohibition like the one imposed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Sununu told the councilors he did not believe the state should interfere with decisions made by private businesses concerning vaccines.

The other two Republican councilors said they believe other money is available for the program and this is not the time to be accepting the federal money.

New Hampshire is the only state to refuse the federal money to expand COVID-19 vaccination programs under the latest stimulus package approved by Congress.

Fiscal committee member Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester, called the decision to withdraw the items unbelievable.

“The $27 million is gone,” he said. “What a terrible impression New Hampshire has made on the citizens of the state. We look like we can’t run a lemonade stand.”

The issue of accepting the federal money for the vaccination programs became heated at the council’s meeting last month when protesters loudly objected to the items.

The protesters also taunted Health and Human Services officials who felt threatened and were escorted from the building by state police.

The council meeting was cancelled after the officials left.

A larger crowd greeted the Governor and Executive Council meeting last week when nine protesters were arrested, although the council rejected the two items.

After the council vote, Sununu accused several councilors of being influenced by conspiracy theories and fantasies.

“It’s a shame we succumbed to a group of roughnecks who badgered people and threatened them with disrespect,” D’Allesandro said, “and then we cave in, we cave in to bullying. That is not a good thing. It’s not a good message to be sending to anybody.”

Health and Human Services spokesman Jake Leon said: “Department leadership is committed to exploring all potential funding streams to ensure that the people of New Hampshire have easy and convenient access to the vaccines. In the near future, booster doses for the Moderna and J&J vaccines will soon receive federal approval, as will eligibility for children 11 and older. The state’s regional public health networks and healthcare providers will need additional resources if they are to administer booster shots and vaccines to kids 11 to 15 years old.

“The Department has identified potential funding for a portion of the State’s needs and expects it will be considered by the Fiscal Committee in the coming weeks. Should additional funding opportunities be identified to meet all of the State’s vaccine needs, we anticipate needing Fiscal Committee and Executive Council approval. This will impact the timing of when these much needed programs will be available to support the needs of New Hampshire residents,” Leon said.

The withdrawal would indicate the administration does not believe the council would approve the contracts for the vaccine expansion at any time in the future.

Without fiscal committee approval to accept the federal money, the money will be retained by the federal government.

The protesters contended accepting the money would require the state to enforce federal vaccine mandates. The attorney general and Sununu assured the councilors that is not the case, and the governor reminded councilors they have approved other contracts with the same boilerplate language.

But the Republicans on the Executive Council were not convinced.

The fiscal committee will meet at 10 a.m. Friday in rooms 210-211 of the Legislative Office Building.

Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.