NH Legislature Re-Convenes
Heating Aid Attempt Fails; House Kicks Payday Lending Down the Road

The Senate attempted but ultimately failed to temporarily shift funds now dedicated to energy efficiency to the state's Electric Assistance Program. The move was expected to assist an estimated 8,000 low-income NH residents on a waiting list for help paying energy bills this winter.  

In a dramatic vote over in the NH House, lawmakers last week overturned a committee recommendation to kill SB193 - a bill which would extend New Hampshire's 36% interest rate cap on payday and car title loans to cover all small loans. It didn't pass that day but it survived to see another day - January 20 - when another House vote will be taken.  The bill is supported by a number of organizations as well as NH Banking Commissioner Peter Hildreth. More information about this bill and what it would do from Sarah Mattson or Jon Baird, NH Legal Assistance, 206-2214. Because of the tight vote, your calls in support of capping the interest rate on small loans to your House members over the next week are important. Click here to find contacts for your state representatives.

This Wednesday, the House will vote on other bills carried over from 2009 that may be of interest. HB 304, anassisted suicide bill, is recommended inexpedient to legislate. Against the backdrop of the spread of H1N1 and a tough economy, the Committee studying paid sick leave for workers has  recommended the idea be referred for further study. A bill to ban all live dog racing in the state - with both NH dog tracks now closed - is recommended to pass. HB 642, which would establish a flat rate education income tax, while reducing statewide property, business and other taxes has been rejected by the House Ways & Means Committee, which is asking the House to agree and kill the proposal. 

Legislation to expand gaming in NH, for and against new forms of taxation, for and against expanding healthcarefor low and moderate-income children through Healthy Kids, same-sexmarriage, abortion and other measures are proposed in what is shaping up to be a busy year for policy makers. We will report on matters of priority to Council members. If you work on policy matters for your denomination, please contact Policy Associate Laurel Redden with news of your work at 894-5931 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mark Your Calendar: Public Hearing on Death Penalty 

The NH Legislature last week turned down a Representative's request to allow the introduction of a bill after deadline that would expand capital punishment in the Granite State. Meanwhile, the next public hearing of the Commission to Study the Death Penalty in NH (formed per passage of last year's HB 520) takes placeFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 10:00 a.m., LOB Room 305-307.

Vigils organized by the NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty take place at noon in front of the State House on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month. 

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Talk Heats Up in 2010

U.S. church groups share a common vision of a future in which humanity will no longer be threatened by the indiscriminate destruction of life through the use of nuclear weapons.  This vision has been expressed repeatedly in our diverse traditions since the beginning of the atomic age.  As 2009 draws to a close, attention is shifting toward the importance of ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which is expected to come before the Senate in 2010.  As the Most Rev. Edwin O'Brien said,  "Entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treatywould demonstrate that nations are serious about their commitment to a nuclear-weapons-free world.  For us in the United States, this means that public opinion makers, including religious leaders, should help build public dialogue and support for ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. And leaders of both political parties should build a strong bipartisan consensus to support the Treaty as an important step on the road to zero."

An insightful op-ed on this subject appeared recently in the Nashua Telegraph. 

For more information about the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty or to sign on to a NH letter in support, contact Arnie Alpert at NH Peace Action,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or 224-2407.

Quick Takes:

• Find New Hampshire legislationproposed in 2010.
  
• US House reconvenes January 12
• US Senate reconvenes January 18