InDepthNH.org (https://indepthnh.org/tag/sherman-packard/)
The Supreme Court’s special master has proposed moving five towns in the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley to equalize the state’s two congressional districts.
In a split decision, the 1st Circuit Court remanded the appeal by disabled House Democrats seeking remote participation back to the U.S. District Court in Concord for further consideration.
Two more House members have tested positive for COVID-19 and believe they were infected at sessions at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester last week, bringing the known total to at least five.
Friends and colleagues are mourning the death of state Rep. Barbara Shaw, D-Manchester, who served 11 terms in the General Court.
The House will not be meeting in Representatives Hall when it reconvenes next month to act on vetoes and retained bills.
The Legislature has experienced outbreaks as well, including early in the session when then-House Speaker Dick Hinch died from COVID-19.
One Democratic lawmaker pressed Friday to better protect children touring the mask-optional State House and others scolded Republicans who don’t wear face masks and voted against $27 million in federal contracts that would have boosted vaccination efforts, which they say will delay getting shots to children.
With the number of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths on the rise, some lawmakers question the safety of continuing tours for elementary school children at the State House where there is no mask or vaccination mandate and no requirement to report the number of legislators and staffers who work there who have been infected.
Rep. Nicole Klein Knight, D-Manchester, in a posting on Twitter Friday morning, said she was infected and in turn has infected her family and she blames House Speaker Sherman Packard for allowing sick members to participate without masks.