Senate

U.S. Senate Fails to Ratify Protections for People with Disabilities

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:49:29 +0000

This week the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRDP) was narrowly rejected on the Senate floor. The treaty, negotiated during the Bush administration, has already been ratified by126 other nations—including China, Russia, and Iran.

25 In 25: U.S. Senator Warren Rudman

Laura Knoy — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:59:42 +0000

In 2007, The Exchange ran a special series taking a look at 25 influential people in the Granite State, 25 In 25. As part of that series, we spoke to former U.S. Senator for New Hampshire Warren Rudman. We are reposting this episode as a special memorial, following Senator Rudman's death on Monday, November 19th.

From the original episode:

Internet Tax Ban Takes a Step Forward

Sam Evans-Brown — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:58:55 +0000

The Senate Finance committee has voted unanimously to recommend banning a so-called “internet tax”. The bill would clear up the confusion surrounding the state’s Communications Services Tax.

Salem Senator Chuck Morse says two months ago, internet providers approached him to say that the state was starting to get serious about collecting taxes on internet. So he decided to do something about it.

"The amendment is very simple," Morse says, "New Hampshire is making a statement, it will not tax the internet, that’s it."

Senate and House Divisions Crystalize over Abortion Bills

Sam Evans-Brown — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:39:46 +0000

All eyes were on the State Senate today, where lawmakers voted down a bevy of bills that would regulate abortion and allow employers to opt out of covering contraception.

State lawmakers have traditionally rejected such measures, but the issue has become a point of friction between the house and Senate. That friction is set to continue.

Senate Committee: No to Refugee Moratorium

Sam Evans-Brown — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:14:45 +0000

A senate committee has voted to send a bill that would allow communities to ask for a one year moratorium on refugee resettlement for further study.

The committee voted 3-1 to refer the bill to interim study, with Senator David Boutin from Hooksett dissenting. That vote is a polite way of asking the full senate to let the measure die quietly.

Committee Chair Senator Jack Barnes says he doesn’t think the state legislature has the authority to pass this bill.

Congressional Redistricting Moves Forward

Todd Bookman — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:49:32 +0000

New Hampshire lawmakers have reached agreement on a Congressional redistricting plan. With two incumbent Republicans in Congress, both wanted to keep their districts as GOP-leaning as possible.

Under the final plan, six towns will switch districts. Sanborton, Tilton and Campton move east from District 2 to District 1; while Deerfield, Northwood and Center Harbor will shift west to District 2.

House Committee Votes Against Sex Offender Board

Todd Bookman — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:22:13 +0000

After sailing through the Senate, a bill that would have created a ‘Sexual Offender Management Board’ hit a wall in the House today.

The bill calls for the creation of a 19-member board that would evaluate policies toward sex offenders.

Advocate Chris Dornin told the House Criminal Justice Committee that laws are often rushed through after a high-profile child murder or molestation.