CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Democratic leaders of the New Hampshire Legislature went to court Monday to stop Republican Gov. Chris Sununu from spending federal COVID-19 relief funds without their permission.
House Speaker Steve Shurtleff, Senate President Donna Soucy and top Democrats on the Legislature’s joint fiscal committee filed a motion seeking an emergency order to halt Sununu’s newly created Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery.
They argue only the committee has the power to act on the $1.25 billion that the state is expected to begin receiving later this month.
Rep. Mary Jane Wallner said the committee she leads is the fastest way to distribute money to families, communities, businesses and nonprofits “effectively, equitably and constitutionally.”
“Unfortunately, Gov. Sununu has chosen to disregard the legislative branch, which represents the voice of the people,” Wallner, D-Concord, said in a statement. “His refusal to compromise led us to the judicial branch today.”
Sununu’s spokesman said the governor’s office will continue to follow the 2002 law granting the governor authority to take immediate action during a statewide crisis.
It is the legislature’s prerogative to check in with the courts and we will always maintain a collaborative relationship with them,” Ben Vihstadt said in a statement. “Ensuring New Hampshire families receive immediate emergency relief is paramount and the Governor remains committed to that goal.”
Sununu told reporters last week that while lawmakers will have input via an advisory panel, the usual approval process is too slow.
In their motion, filed in Hillsborough County Superior Court, lawmakers disagree on both counts. They argue that the governor’s general powers under the law Sununu cites do not override a more specific law that says during an emergency, “the governor may, with the advice and consent of the fiscal committee, authorize such expenditures, by any department or agency, as may be necessary.”
And they point out that the committee can act quickly. It met on Friday and approved spending $1.2 million to bolster Meals on Wheels programs during the pandemic.
There was no mention of the lawsuit Monday, when the advisory panel met via phone conference with Sununu and Banking Commissioner Jerry Little, the head of the governor’s relief office. The panel includes the four Democrats who sued and four Republican lawmakers.
Little said he expects guidance from the U.S. Treasury around April 24. The group decided to meet three times a week to start, with more frequent meetings possible.
“We want to make good use of the time we’re given and get a lot of work done, so as soon as the funds arrive we can start putting them out there and start doing some good,” Little said.
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THE NUMBERS
As of Monday, more than 1,000 people in New Hampshire have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. About a quarter have recovered; 23 have died. So far, 152 of those people have been hospitalized.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
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IMMIGRANT RELEASED
A Guatemalan man in New Hampshire has been released from federal immigration detention over concerns of contracting the coronavirus in jail.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire said Pedro Gonzalez Guarcas was released Friday after it filed an emergency lawsuit. Guarcas had been at the Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover since Feb. 28.
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PEAK BAGGING PAUSED
Hikers seeking official recognition for climbing the 48 tallest peaks in New Hampshire won’t be able to count any summits they reach while the state remains under a stay-at-home order.
Starting Monday, The Four Thousand Footer Club run by the Appalachian Mountain Club won’t be accepting peaks ascended during the duration of the order. They said it was necessary because so many people haven’t heeded recommendations to “hike low and local,” increasing the risk of spreading the virus.
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EMERGENCY LICENSES
New Hampshire has issued more than 300 emergency professional licenses during the pandemic, about half to behavioral and mental health practitioners, such as social workers and psychologists.
Sununu has loosened licensing rules during the pandemic, New Hampshire Public Radio reported. Sununu said providers can work at multiple institutions more easily and out-of-state practitioners can work in the state.
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Associated Press writer Kathy McCormack contributed to this report.
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