Credit Sara Plourde / NHPR
We speak with Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy about the current legislative session and the state budget. We also learn about the resignation of a Rochester City Councilor in the midst of a sex abuse investigation. And, we talk with NHPR reporters about the state s pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and school reopening efforts.
Air date: Friday, April 16, 2021.
GUESTS:
Kyle Stucker - New England Justice Reporter for USA Today.
Sarah Gibson - NHPR s Education Reporter.
This show was produced by Jane Vaughan.
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The bill is SB 154. On April 1, Senate Republicans passed it 14-10. If there are executive orders issued from President Biden restricting an individual s ability to keep and bear arms, this bill would make it clear that the state of New Hampshire would not enforce any such orders issued after Jan. 20, 2021, Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) said in a press release issued by Senate Republicans. SB 154 will protect the rights of New Hampshire citizens to defend themselves and their loved ones, the release said. New Hampshire is among the safest states in America because we have effective law enforcement and allow people to exercise their constitutional rights under the Second Amendment.
(Thursday afternoon, April 1, update)UNHAPPY WITH RESPONSE. State Democratic lawmakers are unhappy with a response they received from the executive director of the Governorâs Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery to their request for more detailed information on the distribution of COVID-19 relief funds.Four leaders of the Democratic minority in the House and Senate asked for âspending reports and disbursementsâ of CARES Act funds - the massive program passed by Congress and signed into law by then-President Donald Trump more than a year ago â in a March 10 letter to GOFERR Executive Director Taylor Caswell. The Democratsâ March 10 letter to Caswell is here.The Democratic offices of the House and Senate said Thursday that on Wednesday, the lawmakers â Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy, Sen. Lou DâAllesandro, House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing and Rep. Mary Jane Wallner â received a response from Caswell. Caswellâs respons
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CONCORD, NH – Gov. Chris Sununu promised at his Thursday press conference to look into whether reports showing how agencies and private organizations spent federal CARES Act funds he awarded them are public documents.
InDepthNH.org asked for the reports two weeks ago and Sununu responded then by saying the state website is very transparent, although the reports were not published there, and Sununu’s spokesman hasn’t responded to questions about them since.
On Thursday, Sununu again stressed the transparency of the state’s Governor’s Office For Economic Relief and Recovery website when it comes to the federal $1.25 billion spending, but wasn’t sure if what he called “audit” documents detailing how agencies and private organizations spent the funds are public information.
State Senate Democrats unveil 2021-2022 agenda focusing on COVID-19 relief, health care, jobs
Minority caucus ‘Granite Commitment’ plan also calls for property tax relief, boosting economy Share Updated: 6:45 PM EST Jan 11, 2021
Minority caucus ‘Granite Commitment’ plan also calls for property tax relief, boosting economy Share Updated: 6:45 PM EST Jan 11, 2021 State Senate Democrats, despite being in the minority after Republican gains in November, intend to pursue an aggressive agenda with COVID-19 as the top priority in the 2021-2022 legislative session, their caucus leader said Monday. Download the FREE WMUR app“It’s really a three-legged stool,” Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy of Manchester said in an interview. “Primarily, COVID-19 relief and recovery planning, and providing opportunities in the short term for businesses and individuals to get back on their feet. And in a more forward-thinking way, we will be trying to build