With state lawmakers busy chipping away at unfinished legislative priorities today at the New Hampshire State House, here is a roundup of the top stories today and over the past 24 hours on NHPR.
- The New Hampshire House of Representatives today passed a bill for Medicaid expansion, where reauthorization of the current program ends at the end of this year. It's a proposed five-year extension. The Medicaid program serves some 50,000 Granite Staters, often low-income individuals and families. It's touted as a key tool, as well, in fighting opioid addiction.
- A bill to establish legal protections for transgender people under state anti-discrimination laws is heading to Gov. Chris Sununu's desk. Sununu says he will sign it into law.
- It's still unclear whether or not Sununu will sign a bill designed to tighten residency standards for voting eligibility. The Senate passed this controversial measure on Wednesday.
- NHPR's Jason Moon reports that the House has rejected an attempt today to revive a school choice bill, seen by critics as a costly voucher bill.
- New Hampshire's law and liquor enforcement officials have apparently been unaware of stakeouts and "bootlegging" stings being conducted by investigators from other states, NHPR's Todd Bookman reports today.
- Naomi Andrews, former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-NH, launched her campaign for the 1st Congressional District.
- A controversial anti-animal cruelty bill won the blessing of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, but it's differences will have to be worked out with the Senate.
- Secretary of State Bill Gardner says there are no "snow days" for elections in New Hampshire. However, legislation moving forward would give local officials leeway to reschedule Town Meetings in the event of major snowstorms.
- The AP reports that the House has put a hold on a bill that proposed banning anyone who is not a legal resident from accessing state adult education programs.
Credit NHPR File Photo
- Former state Sen. Molly Kelly of Harrisville, a Democrat running for governor, won the endorsement of New Hampshire's senior U.S. senator Wednesday.
FOLLOW The Story: Click here to sign up for the NHPR email newsletter
