This week at the State House
The Legislature is closed today, Monday, in recognition of the Memorial Day holiday. Only the Senate will meet in session this week, on Thursday. The House has set its next sessions for June 5 and 6.
We’re in the home stretch now, however we’ve got a few bills that are still waiting for action.
You can find the complete House and Senate calendars below:
RETIREMENT SYSTEM
COLA passes, Gov. Sununu expected to sign
Help us celebrate this hard-fought win and contribute to SEAPAC today
On Thursday, after a lengthy debate, the Senate approved HB 616, our pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) bill, on a 12-11 vote, with Democratic Sen. Jeanne Dietsch joining Republicans in opposition. All Democrats voted in favor of the bill, with the exception of Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, who was excused.
This is obviously a huge win, given that pension system members have gone nearly 10 years without a COLA. it will go into effect on the retiree’s first retirement anniversary date after July 1, 2020. That delay notwithstanding, this is a move in the right direction.
Our continued fight for our retirees couldn’t happen without contributions to our political action fund. Click here to make a contribution today to ensure we can continue that fight.
WHAT ELSE TO WATCH FOR
Updates on other bills we’re following
In addition to the bill listed above, here are progress reports on a few other key issues:
Child protection: We’re still waiting for the final step for our child protection bill, SB 6. This bill would add 77 new positions in child projection, giving the dedicated staff there direly needed reinforcements. We’ll bring an update as soon as we have it on when the bill will be signed.
Corrections Group II: The Senate approved HB 116, and the full Senate will vote Thursday on this bill, which would allow the movement of Department of Corrections employees from Group I to Group II without specific legislation.
Clinicians bill: The House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee voted 17-4 in favor of SB 115, which would establish a commission to study the business environment for mental health providers in New Hampshire. The bill will now go back before the House for a second vote.
State budget: The Senate Finance Committee continued to work Friday on its version of the budget. One note from Friday’s work session was that the committee added funding for a state employee compensation study into the budget.