NH Politics

Gov. Chris Sununu’s unpublicized visit to Washington last week included his attendance at a fundraising gala hosted by a pro-Lebanon advocacy group whose website refers to its “access to senior U.S. and Lebanese government officials.”

Update: In order to allow our producers ample time to prepare for tomorrow's show, we've stopped collecting additional audience questions for the governor at this time. Thanks to all who submitted your suggestions! Be sure to tune in Monday at 9 a.m. for the full interview.

New Hampshire state representative Steve Vaillancourt has died at age 65. Vaillancourt had been battling heart problems and was found dead in his apartment Monday morning.

He was serving his 10th term in the State House representing Manchester’s Ward 8.

Representative Neal Kurk, who served several years on the House Finance Committee with Vaillancourt,  said Vaillancourt’s lively personality will be missed.

New Hampshire lawmakers met Friday to discuss policy changes to better protect at-risk kids. The effort comes on the heels of an outside review that faulted the state’s child protection agency. 

The Child Protection Act applies to cases when there’s clear evidence of child abuse or neglect, but a special legislative commission hopes to introduce a middle step between unfounded and founded reports of abuse. John DeJoie, with Child and Family Services, was part of a group that suggested another option for state health officials.

When does a tweet cross the line on government ethics?

That’s the question at the center of a complaint filed this week by the New Hampshire Democratic Party, alleging Gov. Chris Sununu’s recent tweet about his day skiing at Waterville Valley Resort — which is owned by his family and, until recently, was managed by Sununu himself — violates state ethics rules.

  State Senator Scott McGilvray has died.

The Hooksett Democrat died Wednesday morning, though a cause is not yet clear.

He announced last month he stepping away from his job as president of NEA-New Hampshire, the state's largest teachers union, citing health reasons.

McGilvray worked as an educator in Manchester for 25 years before he was elected to the state Senate in November. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

In a statement, Governor Chris Sununu called McGilvray a dedicated public servant.

The New Hampshire House has voted 187 to 179, along near party lines, to table a bill that would extend anti-discrimination protections to people who are transgender in employment, housing and public accommodations.

New Hampshire's Republican House leadership is looking to stall legislation that adds protections for transgender people over fears that it would let men use women's bathrooms.

Speaker Shawn Jasper says he's pushing to table the bill at Wednesday's session, meaning it wouldn't be debated. The bill would ban discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on someone's gender identity. The same protections already exist based on sex, religion, sexual orientation and other factors.

  Members of the public can weigh in this week on a bill encompassing several election law changes.

Republican Sen. Regina Birdsell is the prime sponsor of legislation that's up for a hearing Tuesday in Concord.

House lawmakers have a busy week with back to back session days and dozens of bills on the agenda.

Legislation ranges from a proposed change to  the state’s age requirements for marriage to adding gender identity to state discrimination laws.

The state Senate has passed, and then immediately tables, a bill that would increase state funding for school districts that offer full-day kindergarten programs.

Governor Chris Sununu signed his first bill into law Wednesday, repealing the license requirement to carry a concealed gun.

The new law, which takes effect immediately, is the first tangible outcome of Republican control in Concord.

The way Rep. Norman Silber sees it, a party primary is supposed to select the best person who represents the values and platform of that particular political party — and allowing undeclared voters to weigh in allows for too much electoral mischief.

  A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to expand protections against discrimination for transgender people in New Hampshire.

A bill up for a public hearing Tuesday adds "gender identity" to the state's anti-discrimination statutes. That would protect people who are transgender from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. The state Commission for Human Rights already bars discrimination based on age, sex, race, creed, color, marital and familial state, national origin, sexual orientation and physical or mental disability.

New Hampshire lawmakers will hear testimony this week on bills on marijuana policy, the state’s business taxes and eligibility for food stamps.

A new poll from the University of New Hampshire shows strong support in the state for environmental protections.

Nearly three quarters of New Hampshire residents say environmental protection rules should either be left as they are or strengthened.

That’s according to research from the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy.

  Party leaders on both sides of the aisle are defending New Hampshire's electoral system in the wake of another unsubstantiated claim by President Donald Trump that there's massive voter fraud happening in the state.

Gov. Chris Sununu delivered his budget address Thursday, outlining his priorities as the state Legislature kicks off its biannual budget writing cycle.

NHPR's newsroom has been reporting on what to expect this budget season — you can find a rundown on that right here — and now, we're offering more context on the things Sununu mentioned in the budget address itself.