13 April 2011
Budget
As I write this, the second step of the state biennium budget debate is occurring. The budget is a four step process before it reaches the governor's desk. First, the governor gives the house his or her budget. Next, the house builds a recommended budget based upon the governor's. The full house then votes to approve it. Should it pass, it goes to the senate, who adds their changes and then votes on it. It then comes BACK to the house with the changes. If the house accepts it, it will go to the governor. More likelythe differences in the bills need to be worked out together between the house and the senate in what is called a committee of conference. This is where compromises are made in order to come to an agreement. In order to assure there are no "back room" deals, the house put a rule in place that no new tax or fee increases can be added during a committee of conference unless the house has taken a positive position on it.
A couple of bills that are of importance that have passed in the house which need elaboration:
Parental Notification- Four years ago, the state removed the rights of parents to know if their child has an abortion. This past month, the NH house passed a bill that would restore parents right to know, not consent, of the procedure. As a parent, we are intimately involved and concerned with the long term health of our children and are an essential component of those decisions until our child is of age. I believe it is a fundamental right of parents to be notified of such a monumental choice and the state should not interfere with parent/child relations. This bill does have the necessary provisions if there is a situation in which it would be detrimental to the child if the parent was notified.
Education Funding A Constitutional Amendment Concurrent Resolution, typically known as a CACR has recently passed the NH house and is on it's way to the senate. Should CACR12 pass the senate, it will be put on the ballot where 2/3 of the voters will need to approve it. The CACR is an effort to taking the courts out of the education funding and putting it back in the hands of the people. It does not completely eliminate the states responsibility towards an adequate education. In addition to the CACR, there are two education funding bills. One has passed through the house and the other is coming from the senate. Both keep education funding at it's current level, but each reaches it by different methods.
The house has also passed some significant pieces of legislation. The bills are aimed at having a more accountable and open government and returning local control to the cities and towns. Below are highlights of some of the more impactful bills that have passed the house. In addition, the house has created a special committee to work through a variety of bills geared at making our state pension program solvent.
- A constitutional amendment to require a supermajority in the House and Senate to raise taxes or borrowing. (CACR 6) This amendment would require 3/5 of those present and voting in the house in order for the state to raise taxes.
- A small business tax cut to protect reasonable compensation from the business profits tax. (HB 557)
- Legislation to post agency spending information on state website. (HB 331)
- Legislation to have state government use open source software. (HB 418)
- Allow small schools more flexibility to develop staffing plans that meet their students’ needs. (HB 290)
- Allow school to receive accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. (HB 130)
- Passed a bill to allow teachers to protect themselves and stop disruptive students from injuring classmates. (HB 375)
- Passed a bill to allow schools more flexibility in transportation options in transporting students. (HB 172)
- Passed HB 474 Freedom of Choice in employment which will help attract businesses to NH
- Passed legislation to create an innovation business job growth function in the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority to promote venture capital and job growth throughout the state. (HB 605)