By Christopher Maidment
New Hampshire s GOP legislative majority got right to work after Organization Day, with the Fiscal Committee quickly approving a federal charter school expansion grant the day after the State Board of Education unanimously approved its first Learn Everywhere accredited program. Democrats had successfully blocked both these programs in the previous session, but the new GOP majority wasted no time getting them passed.
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Republicans plan to continue that momentum in January with a bill to establish education freedom accounts (EFAs). Similar bills narrowly failed in the 17- 18 biennium, during which the NHGOP had a larger majority than they do today.
By Christopher Maidment
Republicans on Friday chose Acting Speaker Sherm Packard (R-Londonderry) to be the next Speaker of the NH House, filling a void left by the passing of Speaker Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) from COVID-19.
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On Jan. 6, Convening Day, the House will formally vote to elect a new Speaker. Hinch was elected unanimously on Dec. 2, Organization Day, before passing away suddenly only one week later.
The caucus elected Packard on the first ballot, with the challengers moving to make it unanimous following a decisive majority voted for the Acting Speaker. Helping Packard along was support from Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn), who brought along many of the Freedom Caucus Representatives with him.