Laura talks with New Hampshire House and Senate leaders representing both parties to find out what's in store for the legislature in the months ahead and how the shift in power -- from Republicans to Democrats -- might play out. So far, business taxes, marijuana policy, and voting laws are among many issues up for debate.
Also not to be overlooked: the state budget.
GUESTS:
- Dick Hinch, House Minority Leader, R-Merrimack
- Chuck Morse, Senate Minority Leader, R-Salem
- Steve Shurtleff, Speaker of the House, D-Penacook
- Donna Soucy, Senate President, D- Manchester
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The state's Office of Child Advocate issues its first annual report on how New Hampshire is doing when it comes to improving its system for protecting children and helping troubled families. NHPR's Peter Biello spoke with OCA director Moira O'Neill. In this Union Leader article, DCYF responds to the criticisms.
Governor Sununu's School Safety Preparedness Task Force issues its recommendations and faces some criticism.
A federal report on climate change found the Northeast is likely to be affected in drastic ways, damaging transportation systems and much of the region's infrastructure. In New Hampshire, NHPR's Annie Ropeik reports, state lawmakers will consider how to prepare the state for such effects, including one bill that would help coastal towns facing rising seas.
Business taxes are ikely to come up for debate this legislative season. Among the proposals: repealing the business profits tax reductions that began in 2016. As Dave Solomon reports in his column, Democrats, now in control of both houses, differ somewhat on the issue of business taxes.
Voting laws, a contentious topic in recent years, are back, with several proposals, including establishing an independent redistricting commission to draw boundaries for state and federal offices and allowing 17-year-olds who will be eligible to vote in the general election to vote in that election's primary.
