‘More Harmonious Relationship’
Gunstock Area Commission Ponders Reimbursing Delegation's Legal Expenses
Also on today’s menu:
Senate Passes Exception To Abortion Ban
Business Tax Reduction Brings Out Partisan Divide
The Gunstock Area Commission agreed in a split decision that seeking an independent legal opinion about the merits of its lawsuit against the Belknap County Convention would go a long way toward satisfying all parties in the dispute, setting the stage for the “more harmonious relationship” that Rep. Michael Sylvia, chair of the county delegation, said he wanted.
Sylvia sent an email to the commissioners, seeking reimbursement for the delegation’s $40,000 legal bill incurred in its defense against the lawsuit, which he termed frivolous.
Commissioner Gary Kiedaisch, who with former commissioners Brian Gallagher and Rusty McLear had voted to initiate the lawsuit, said he would agree to the study if it was a full review, going all the way to the beginning of the dispute.
Senate Passes Exception To Abortion Ban
The New Hampshire State Senate passed HB 1609, providing an exception to the state’s abortion ban for fatal fetal diagnoses, which now heads to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk.
The Republican-sponsored ban prohibited abortions beyond 24 weeks and required those seeking an abortion to submit to an ultrasound at every stage of pregnancy. The bill clarified when an ultrasound would be necessary and made exceptions to allow abortions for cases of fetal anomalies incompatible with life.
During testimony on the bill, senators spoke of the women who came forward with stories of some of the wrenching decisions they faced when learning that their child would not likely survive.
Business Tax Reduction Brings Out Partisan Divide
A bill to reduce the Business Profits Tax rate and send money to local communities prompted an extended discussion on the floor of the state Senate on Thursday, with Republicans and Democrats sharing alternate perspectives on why state revenues are doing so well.
House Bill 1221 would lower the business profits tax rate from 7.6 percent to 7.5 percent, and the amendment by Ways and Means would use the state’s surplus funds for a one-time contribution to municipalities equal to 7.5 percent of their contributions to the state retirement fund.
Sen. Bob Giuda, R-Warren, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said New Hampshire’s sound budget policies have led to a state surplus of $252 million, despite actions in Washington, D.C., that he blamed for causing inflation and high gasoline prices, putting the country on the edge of a recession.
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