The State Senate couldn’t pass the plan favored by GOP leaders, and then rejected a plan embraced by Democrats on party lines. Ultimately, the Senate adopted a second GOP proposal, before laying it on the table. Two hours later it rejected a Medicaid bill passed by Democrats in the N.H. House.
John Reagan is a Republican from Deerfield:
"I can contend with combinations of vagaries and certainties, but my friends to be steered and rushed is an invitation leading to rueful decisions."
After the votes, Senate leaders and Governor Maggie Hassan were quick to say they hold out hope for a deal in the future, but just as quick to blame each other for the lack of agreement.
"We’ve been negotiating for over a month: every time we got close to yes, every time their negotiators told us they would support a proposal, we got told no when they went back to their full caucus."
That’s Governor Hassan. Here’s Senate Majority leader Jeb Bradley.
"She’s appeared in Senator’s districts to pressure them as opposed to reach out to them. I mean that’s how you get bipartisan support."
All sides of this issue expect the debate to resume when lawmakers return to Concord in January.
