NH News

The state Senate has passed a plan that would give business a tax credit for donations to private and parochial schools.

The bill has strong legislative support.

In essence, this bill gives businesses incentives to support non-public schools.

Backers say wealthy people already have the resources to send their children wherever they want.

Sponsor Republican Senator Jim Forsythe says making more scholarship money available gives more families more choices.

New Hampshire's House has voted to move ahead with a new public pension system for state employees and wants the Senate to reconsider its decision to study the issue instead.

New Hampshire landowners who let the public use their land for hunting, hiking and other recreational activities wouldn't be required to keep the land safe under a bill passed by the state Senate.

The Senate voted Wednesday to expand liability protection for those who own, lease or manage land open to hunting, fishing, trapping, camping and other recreational activities. The bill would not protect landowners from malicious acts or if the injury happened while performing services for money.

The New Hampshire House has ignored a veto promise and passed a bill to legalize home cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes.

Wednesday's House vote sends the bill back to the Senate to review changes.

The Senate-passed bill would allow patients with debilitating medical conditions or the patient's designated caretaker to cultivate and possess up to six ounces of marijuana, four mature plants and 12 seedlings at a registered location.

The New Hampshire Senate has voted to allow a new verification system for welfare applicants and recipients as a way to detect fraud and save money, but it wants to see the savings before it pays for it.

The Senate on Wednesday approved an amendment to a House bill requiring the state to expand the public databases used to screen applicants. House Speaker William O'Brien says using the technology will root out fraudulent claims and save money.

Doctors of naturopathic medicine would be reimbursed by health insurance companies under a bill passed by the New Hampshire Senate.

The Senate voted 16-8 Wednesday in favor of the bill. Opponents argued that the bill amounted to a mandate for insurers that would lead to increased premiums. Supporters argued it was a matter of fairness because insurers already reimburse other health care providers for providing the same services.

The city of Nashua is spending a little more than $100,000 to figure out how to better brand itself. 

The New Hampshire Senate is expected to take up legislation Wednesday to curb welfare fraud.

Some state Senators aren’t convinced there is a problem worth solving.

Under the House-passed plan, the state would expand screening of low-income families before they can receive cash benefits.

Supporters say cheating the system erodes public support for programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – the state’s welfare program.

Tonight selectmen in Rye will hear from the town's lawyer about the legality of a new cycling ordinance in that town. Cycling - both for commuting and recreation - is on the rise, but so too is the number of cars on the road, and recently on the seacoast, tensions between cyclists and drivers have flared.

New Hampshire’s highest court has ruled that privileged information divulged at a public meeting is only susceptible to the state’s right to know law if it was first disclosed in the presence of a private citizen.  

The ruling is the latest byproduct of the long legal battle between the Professional firefighters association and the Local Government Center-- or LGC. At issue in this case, were the minutes from a series of Local Government Center board meetings.

Although tourism is something of a signature industry for New Hampshire, the largest sector of the state’s economy–by far–is advanced manufacturing.  So-called “SMHT” (Smart Manufacturing/High Technology).

Earlier today, the Executive Council approved the largest contract in state history.

On a 3-2 vote, the Council approved a $2.3 billion deal to overhaul the state’s Medicaid program.

Exempting broadband and wireless internet connections from the state’s communication tax remains a priority for republican leaders, but the House voted 247-93 to kill the repeal. A big reason way is because the senate-crafted proposal also undid House leaders’ plan to place $16 million in the state’s rainy day fund. Steve Stepanek is chairman of House ways and means.

"The prime purpose of this bill was to put money into the rainy day fund. The senate has no intention of putting any of this money into the rainy day fund."

[View the story "N.H. Executive Council Passes $2.3 Billion Medicaid Contract" on Storify]N.H. Executive Council Passes $2.3 Billion Medicaid Contract

Storified by · Wed, May 09 2012 12:48:16

RT @FostersDailyDem: BREAKING NEWS: N.H. Executive Council OKs $2.3 billion Medicaid contract http://bit.ly/JxiCxxNHPR NewsNH Executive Council OKs $2.3 billion Medicaid contractBy JIM HADDADIN CONCORD – On a split vote, members of New Hampshire's Executive Council approved a $2.3 billion contract establishing...Managed Medicaid could significantly shake up service for some 140,000 NH residents. HHS officials believe this reform is critical.Dan GorensteinExecutive Councilors are talking about how they will vote on managed medicaid contract.Dan GorensteinDozens of managed Medicaid opponents are in Executive Council chambers. Many are opposed to how plan would change services for the disabled.Dan GorensteinExecutive Council meeting getting under way. Councilors expect to vote on $2.3 B managed Medicaid contract. Insiders say contract will pass.Dan Gorenstein

News Update at 2:54 p.m. Wed. May 9:  The Executive Council has passed a $2.3 billion contract that will overhaul the state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid Managed care could significantly shake up service for some 140,000 N.H. residents. HHS officials believe this reform is critical. More details to follow on this evening's All Things Considered.