Summer Recess

Along with the legislature, Front Door Politics took a summer recess in 2009. Weekly reports will resume in the fall (date TBA).

We will hopefully also be upgrading the website’s database of bills. To see how you can help, contact producer Hilary Niles at h@nilesmedia.net.

Happy Autumn!

Medical Marijuana Snuffed

Gov. John Lynch has—for now, at least—snuffed out New Hampshire’s medical marijuana bill. Lynch had remained tight-lipped about his stance on the legislation’s latest version until Friday morning, when he vetoed House Bill 648 just hours after it landed on his desk. It will now go back to the House and Senate, where a two-thirds majority could override the veto.

Not So Fast, NH

In two separate cases, courts last week temporarily froze $119 million critical to the state’s brand new budget. This won’t leave the Granite State to issue IOUs like California has resorted to. But, it could mean a summer session for the Legislature.

And that could mean a second chance for gambling, another go at business and other taxes, or deeper cuts to services.

Piecing the Budget

Fairness was in the eye of the beholder at the State House last Wednesday when the N.H. House and Senate grudgingly voted in the 2010-11 budget. House Bills 1 and 2 contain the state’s General Fund spending and revenue, respectively. Earning few cheers, the legislation has been called everything from a legitimate compromise doing the “least possible harm” to an illegal “dung heap” along the way.

New Hampshire’s Money Tree

New Hampshire is one step closer to its budget for the next two years, although it still may be a long way off.

New Liquor License; New Look at Death Penalty

… if HB 392 is signed by Gov. John Lynch, cigar bars can start serving their stogies with a swig, starting in 2010. … And, Gov. Lynch is reportedly likely to sign a bill to study the death penalty in New Hampshire. There will be 13 public seats to fill for the commission.

Freedom To Marry—Or Not

… By late afternoon, Gov. John Lynch signed three bills into law that redefine marriage and re-affirm religious freedom regarding marriage. “It’s not new,” says Rep. Jim Splaine (D-Portsmouth), who sponsored House Bill 436, which he refers to as the marriage equality law. “Religions indeed do have the right in America to be able to discriminate in almost any way they want.”

Budget Equations

Gambling on slot machines instead of two new taxes, the N.H. Senate Finance Committee last week completed its proposed two-year state budget, making significant changes to a House version. The full Senate will vote on the budget Wednesday, June 3, after which a Committee of Conference will be formed between the House and Senate to hammer out compromises and get a final version to Gov. John Lynch. His power to veto the whole package because of parts he doesn’t like is already holding sway.

Studies in Discipline

With the 2009 legislative session winding down, many bills fates have already been determined and most public hearings are complete. Both the House and Senate must act on all bills by Thursday, June 4, or take one more week to form Committees of Conference by June 10. That will buy the Legislature two additional weeks to work out any differences between the chambers, or let remaining bills die.

Other committees with longer timelines for in-depth study are formed throughout the session …

Protections

The ban on new nursing home beds remains, but a bill in the Senate would ease regulations on renovations. Also: New Hampshire’s child safety laws line up with other states.