NH House of Representatives

Democrats Move To Ban Guns In N.H. House

Josh Rogers — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:03:47 +0000

The rules committee of the New Hampshire House has voted to reinstate a ban on guns in the House chamber.

A.G. Fraud Unit Proposal Stalls Again

Amanda Loder — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:32:11 +0000

The creation of a new fraud unit at the state Attorney General’s office has stalled again. Thursday, the Legislative Fiscal Committee voted to table a request to approve funding for it.

The governor and Executive Council have approved the unit, which would be funded by the state’s mortgage settlement with big banks. But the Republican-dominated committee has resisted allocating money to it, saying it would ultimately add staff to the government payroll. But the AG’s Consumer Protection Bureau Chief James Boffetti says a fraud unit is needed.

N.H. House Swings To Democrats, Republicans Hold Senate 13-11

Sam Evans-Brown — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:20:55 +0000

There was a big surprise waiting for New Hampshire politicos this morning. As the final votes were tallied in the four hundred races for the State House of Representatives, the Democrats had won a 221 to 178 majority with one race still undecided.

Prospects of a divided state legislature has both sides singing about bipartisanship.

Given that many of the races for the NH House are decided by fewer than a hundred voters, there will likely be a couple dozen recounts.

Democrat Moynihan Wins In Coos 2

Chris Jensen — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:25:47 +0000

Democrat Wayne Moynihan of Dummer has won the seat for Coos District 2, defeating Republican James Tierney of Northumberland.

With all the votes counted Moynihan had 1,259 votes compared to Tierney's 839, according to a tally compiled by the Associated Press.

Democrat Hammon Defeats Repub Tholl in Coos 5

Chris Jensen — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:45:26 +0000

Democratic challenger Marcia Hammon of Whitefield has defeated incumbent Republican John Tholl, also of Whitefield, in Coos District 5.

With 100 percent of the votes counted Hammon had 1,235 votes and Tholl had 1,154, according to a tally compiled by the Associated Press.

NH Supreme Court Upholds House Redistricting Plan

Sam Evans-Brown — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:40:47 +0000

New Districts with Floterials | New Districts without Floterials | Previous Districts

O'Brien-Vaillancourt Flap At Center of Busy, Contentious State House Session

Brady Carlson and Josh Rogers — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:06:28 +0000

It's the time of year when the statehouse gets hectic - and, occasionally, foul-tempered.

NH House Passes Refugee Moratorium Bill

Sam Evans-Brown — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:49:25 +0000

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted today to pass a bill that would allow the city of Manchester to ask for a moratorium on refugee resettlement.

The bill is a seen as a victory for Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, who has been calling for a moratorium since last July.

NH House Reconsiders 24-Hour Abortion Waiting Period

Sam Evans-Brown — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:26:57 +0000

The New Hampshire House has moved to reconsider passage of a controversial bill requiring pregnant women to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion. The bill would also require them to receive explicit information on fetal development.

Right-to-Work Redux Passes NH House

Sam Evans-Brown — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:08:18 +0000

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has for the second time passed a so-called right to work bill. But the margin was well short of what would be needed to override Governor Lynch’s promised veto.

Barring unions from requiring non-members to pay for representation has been a priority for House Republican leaders. Last year governor John Lynch vetoed a Right-to-Work bill, which republicans failed to override.

Republican Marshall Quandt told colleagues this year’s version will fare no better.

Lawmakers Seek Final Say on Collective Bargaining Deals

Todd Bookman — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:49:19 +0000

The New Hampshire House has passed a bill giving lawmakers final say on collective bargaining agreements with the State. The legislation is just the latest effort by Republicans in Concord to rein in the costs of public employee contracts.

"This gives the legislature the ability to look at an entire contract and say whether it is fair, and whether we should fund it," says Republican Neil Kurk of Weare.

(Please) Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

Todd Bookman — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:48:47 +0000

A bill requiring New Hampshire students to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance passed a house committee today.

"Standing is a sign of national patriotism," says Republican Representative Lawrence Kappler.

House Votes to Take Away Emergency Powers

Sam Evans-Brown — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:01:37 +0000

The New Hampshire house voted today to repeal the Emergency Powers Act, which allows the government to take private property during a declared state of emergency.

The bill’s supporters call the Emergency Powers Act a government overreach.

House Bill Would Outlaw GPS Tracking

Sam Evans-Brown — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:57:00 +0000

The state House of Representatives has passed a bill that would ban the use of GPS devices to secretly track people. The bill would make such tracking illegal someone without a court order.

This was a bill that seemed destined to disappear: in committee it was voted 14 – 0 to refer it for more study. With an election coming up, that would almost certainly mean that the bill would never be seen again.

House Backs Amendment To Bar New Taxes On Income

Josh Rogers — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:06:36 +0000

The 251 to 101 vote exceeds the 3/5^th needed to send the proposal on to the state senate. Prior to the vote, Manchester Republican Keith Murphy warned that while the income tax isn’t popular in Concord right now, that could change.

“Lest we forget in 1999 this body did pass an income tax of 4 percent, and every year since an income tax has been proposed in this body. We need to take the temptation off the table now and forever.”