CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire lawmakers signed off on dozens of deals Thursday, reconciling differences between the House and Senate positions ahead of next week’s final votes.
On a bill that has become something of a catch-all bill to burn through a surplus, House and Senate members of a committee of conference agreed to include $12.7 million for state employee pay raises, $30.4 million for bridge repairs, $10 million for the state’s rainy day fund and $44 million to settle a dispute with hospitals over uncompensated care. The compromise also includes money for programs to help health care workers struggling to repay student loans, people who need affordable housing after leaving mental health and addiction treatment facilities and nonprofits that teach businesses how to support workers in recovery.
Encouraging recovery-friendly workplaces has been one of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s top initiatives. The Senate originally wanted tax credits for participating businesses but the compromise instead provides $1 million for investing in or lending to nonprofit organizations that educate employers about how to reduce substance misuse in the workplace and create workplaces that help people re-enter the workforce.
“I actually think it was a good suggestion from our friends in the House,” said Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro. “It will be up and running faster and more efficiently done.”
The compromise adds $10.4 million for repairs to high traffic bridges in addition to the $20 million the Senate had approved for red-listed bridges. Bradley said the allocation would help the state avoid having to increase highway tolls or the gas tax.
If approved by the full House and Senate next week, the bill would spend nearly all of the $99 million windfall from business taxes that has accumulated in recent months. The Senate also had sought funding for a program that helps elderly people remain in their homes and one that pairs older people as foster grandparents with abused or neglected children, but those were cut from the deal.
Also Thursday, House members conceded to senators on a committee trying to settle the issue of who should have the authority to postpone town elections in the event an emergency or bad weather. Nearly 80 towns rescheduled their March elections in 2017 due to a powerful snowstorm, but the issue of who should have the final say was still unsettled when another storm hit on this year’s election day.
The Senate passed a bill in March to allow the secretary of state to postpone elections, while the House version gave authority to town moderators. During the committee of conference, House members reluctantly backed the Senate version, absent one provision related to communities drafting detailed postponement plans.
“Either you get pushed off the bridge or you jump,” said Rep. Kenneth Gidge, D-Nashua.
Sen. Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, said she has heard from many constituents who just want to know there is a process in place.
“They don’t really care about who’s making the decision. They just want the ability to plan for their day,” she said. “I don’t think this legislation is necessarily perfect but I don’t think we can stand back and do nothing.”
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