InDepthNH.org (https://indepthnh.org/series/distant-dome/page/24)
Garry Rayno
Democrats learned the difficult lesson that divided government does not necessarily mean compromise is in order when a Republican governor wants to make a political point with the party faithful and his base.
The Republicans and Democrats took shots at each other last week citing familiar grievances.
Former House Speaker Donna Sytek often said trying to control 400 members is “like herding cats.”
To quote former President Jimmy Carter there is a malaise gripping the country and the world as the deaths rise and the virus spreads.
The partisan dust-up has been chronicled by the media the past two weeks.
Presidential years intensify the partisan divide as parties fight over who will have the power of the presidency and that has certainly been true this year.
Surviving the pandemic intact is everyone’s goal — individuals and businesses — but no more realistic than a quick return to normalcy.
What has not been addressed to date, but has to be very soon, is what to do about the state’s $6.4 billion fiscal 2019-2020 operating budget ending June 30.
The reports use graphics to indicate areas of spending like emergency child protection, domestic and sexual abuse prevention, operating and administrative costs, personal protection equipment such as masks, gloves and gowns, personnel costs, and the state agencies that received or spent funds to combat the epidemic.
The rubber has not quite met the road enough to send federal money to the greatest needs created by the coronavirus crisis.