Thursday, May 23, 2013
The controversial Senate bill died on the House floor Wednesday, but what role did local reps have in that decision?
A long casino bill fight on the New Hampshire Statehouse floor ended Wednesday with the House of Representatives voting to kill the controversial measure. The bill, rejected by a 199 to 164 vote, had strong support from the Senate and Gov. Maggie Hassan. It would've legalized one "high-end" casino with up to 150 table games and no more than 5,000 video slot machines, and it had been met with mixed reaction from Seacoast residents. Last week, a joint House committee recommended SB 152 be labeled "inexpedient to legislate," and the House did just that Wednesday. Here's how local state representatives voted on the bill: "Yes" means the representative voted to kill the bill by labeling it "inexpedient to legislate." Click here for coverage …
Aquarion is due a sizable check as its proposed rate increase goes before the Public Utilities Commission Thursday.
Rockingham Superior Court has ordered the town of Hampton to return over $126,000 in taxes collected from Aquarion Water Company. Hampton had taxed Aquarion for its utilities in town-owned right-of-way in 2011 and 2012, although the court system has ruled that because there was no written agreement about that taxation that Hampton cannot keep the $126,493 collected during that time period, plus interest, Town Attorney Mark Gearreald told the Hampton Board of Selectmen this week. Selectmen voted in April to amend all public utility agreements in order to tax the six local utility entities for their presence above or below ground in Hampton's rights-of-way. Gearreald said the court system has ruled the town can still tax Aquarion in this way…
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A historic town building has received a special distinction for its significance.
History continues to make history in North Hampton this month, as the town recently learned that the iconic stone Town Clerk's Office building has been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. Selectmen gave their consent last December to allow the North Hampton Heritage Commission to pursue the distinction for the building, which was built in 1907 as the town's original library building and also currently houses the tax collector's office. The building's addition to the state register comes not long after North Hampton Town Hall — also listed on the state register — was honored with multiple awards, in addition to a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. North Hampton also recently celebrated a history-…
The governor wanted it, the NH Senate overwhelmingly passed it, but the House? No dice.
CONCORD, NH – Gov. Maggie Hassan fought for a casino and the Senate overwhelmingly passed casino gambling, but the House of Representatives refused to play along, voting Wednesday to kill the bill. The bill was rejected by a 199 to 164 vote and followed some tradition: The 400-member House has never passed expanded gambling. Here's a link to the roll call vote. Senate Bill 152 would legalize one "high-end" casino with up to 150 table games and no more than 5,000 video slot machines. Rep. Stephen Spratt (D-Greenville) and Rep. Patricia Lovejoy (D-Stratham) opened the long floor fight. Spratt said the proposed casino would mean revenue for the state, and offset New Hampshire dollars flowing to out-of-state casinos. Lovejoy maintains that a …
43.20707
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107 N Main St, Concord, NH
/articles/house-kills-casino-bill-nh
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Local officials and employees have spoken out about the legislation — but will it have an influence in Concord today?
Good morning, Hampton and North Hampton. Here are five things you need to know for Wednesday, May 22: 1. Today's Top Thing: The vote on expanded gambling comes today, and many locals and local groups have voiced their stances. What's yours? Tell us in the comments. 2. Today’s Winnacunnet High School Sports Matchups (information via Winnacunnet.org): Baseball vs. Pinkerton – Varsity/JV at 4:00 Girls Tennis (quarterfinal) at 4:00 – opponent & location TBD Girls Lacrosse @Portsmouth – Varsity/JV at 4:00 Boys Lacrosse @Portsmouth – Varsity/JV at 6:00 Softball @Pinkerton – Varsity/JV at 4:00 Want to see scores, information and photos from these games featured prominently on Patch? Here's how. 3. What Else Is Happening Today? It's Walk to …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Union officials and state representatives who are firefighters urge the passage of SB 152.
The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire union came out in favor of a casino gambling proposal earlier Tuesday that faces a contentious floor fight in the House on Wednesday. Union President Dave Lang, a Hampton resident and former Hampton firefighter, and a number of firefighters, some who are also state representatives, said they back the measure because revenue from the proposal was badly needed to pay for public safety, health services, and infrastructure. Lang said the money from a casino was needed to fund "an effective, efficient government" in the state. "We hear in this building and the one across the street that public safety is a priority," he said at a news conference at the Legislative Office Building in Concord. "Let …
Hampton could be inching closer to a lawsuit with itself after a meeting behind closed doors Monday.
The Hampton Board of Selectmen didn't discuss Monday the Hampton Zoning Board's decision not to reverse its approval for a tall Hampton Beach condominium project, although the board did hold a late nonpublic session to discuss litigation. The nonpublic session, which started just around 10:30 p.m. after Dick Nichols requested one be held using the statute reserved for litigation involving the town, came just four days after the zoning board didn't grant selectmen's requests for a variance rehearing. Selectmen have the ability to seek a reversal of the zoning board's decision — which selectmen have opposed due to concerns about the height of the proposed five-story, mixed-use structure at 339 and 345 Ocean Blvd. — by filing a lawsuit in …
Jumps due to retirement and several bonded projects have the board suggesting ways to wrangle expenses.
Hampton selectmen are directing department heads and Town Manager Fred Welch to develop an operating budget for the upcoming year as close as possible to the 5.35 percent increase anticipated in next year's default budget. Multiple selectmen said Monday it would be difficult to come in with a flat budget due to bonded projects and other expenses mandated by town meeting decisions, in addition to uncontrollable contributions to the state retirement and healthcare systems. Still, members of the board asked that department heads provide detailed budget requests for the funding they need while keeping the 5.35 percent, or $1.316 million, increase in mind. "The [5.35 percent increase] is going hit people pretty hard," said Selectman Mike Pierce…
Multiple town offices and the fire and police departments will be closed to the public for at least a portion of the day.
Good morning, Hampton and North Hampton. Here are five things you need to know for Tuesday, May 21: 1. Today's Top Thing: The North Hampton Town Clerk’s Office, the Town Administrative Offices and non-emergency functions at the police and fire departments will be closed from about 9 a.m. to noon today as Public Service of New Hampshire performs work along Atlantic Avenue, according to the town. Town officials said electricity service will be temporarily interrupted, and that the offices will fully reopen once power is restored. 2. Today’s Winnacunnet High School Sports Matchups (information via Winnacunnet.org): Frosh Baseball & Softball vs. Exeter at 4:00 Boys Tennis (quarterfinal) at 4:00 - opponent & location TBD Girls Lacrosse vs. …
Monday, May 20, 2013
Potential presidential candidate: GOP needs to "look like the rest of America." RNC Chairman Priebus holding meetings too.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus are in Concord to host a sold-out fundraising dinner for the NH GOP at the Grappone Conference Center tonight. Before the event, both Paul and Priebus spoke about what their main focus had been today – meeting with New Hampshire Republicans, talking strategy, and finding ways to grow the Republican Party to appeal to more Americans. Story and video: Rand Paul, Reince Priebus wow NHGOP dinner crowd Story and video: RNC Chairman Mangles NH Senator's Name Paul, who is a potential 2016 presidential candidate, said the party needed to become more like America – representing not just white people but everyone else – minorities, people with beards and tattoos, …
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Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Ave, Concord, NH
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Reality Geezer
8:09 am on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Well OK--you decided that we will have increased real estate tax and or a sales tax--good job................. more ›