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2/10/25 - The Week Ahead in Concord: Top 5 Biggest Events | Fights | Votes

  • Writer: Granite Eagle
    Granite Eagle
  • Feb 7
  • 2 min read


1️⃣ Governor Ayotte’s Budget Address – Joint Convention (Feb. 13)

📌 Governor Kelly Ayotte delivers her first biennial budget proposal.

  • Why It Matters: This will define NH’s fiscal path for the next two years, with major implications for tax cuts, education funding, healthcare, and infrastructure.

  • Key Issues to Watch:

    • Will Ayotte push for business tax cuts to attract investment?

    • How will she address school funding and school choice expansion?

    • What’s her plan for Medicaid and state healthcare funding?

  • Expect strong reactions from both parties.


2️⃣ Right-to-Work (HB 238-FN) – House Vote

📌 Would ban mandatory union dues as a condition of employment.

  • Why It Matters: This is a major GOP priority that has failed in NH before, but with a narrow 10-9 committee vote, this year could be different.

  • Supporters Say: It protects worker freedom and will attract businesses to NH.

  • Opponents Argue: It weakens unions, lowers wages, and threatens worker protections.

  • Floor Fight Expected: This will be one of the most contentious votes of the session.

3️⃣ Firearm Confiscation for Mental Health Cases (HB 159-FN) – House Hearing (Feb. 7)

📌 Would allow law enforcement to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed mentally unfit.

  • Why It Matters: NH has historically rejected any form of “red flag” law, making this a huge Second Amendment fight.

  • Supporters Say: It prevents potentially dangerous individuals from accessing weapons.

  • Opponents Warn: It could lead to unconstitutional gun confiscation without due process.

  • Hearing: Feb. 7 – Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee.

4️⃣ Electioneering Restrictions (SB 43) – Senate Vote

📌 Would remove articles of clothing from the definition of “electioneering” inside polling places.

  • Why It Matters: Election law changes are always controversial, and this one touches free speech vs. voter intimidation concerns.

  • Supporters Say: Banning political attire at polling places violates the First Amendment and is unnecessary.

  • Opponents Argue: Allowing campaign-related clothing could turn polling places into political battlegrounds.

  • Committee Vote: 3-2 in favor – Expect a close Senate floor fight.

5️⃣ Private Building Inspections (SB 188-FN) – Senate Vote

📌 Allows private engineers/architects to perform municipal building inspections instead of local government officials.

  • Why It Matters: This could reshape NH’s construction oversight process by reducing government control.

  • Supporters Say: It streamlines development and removes bureaucratic delays.

  • Opponents Warn: It removes key public safety checks and could lead to inconsistent enforcement of building codes.

  • Vote Outlook: Expected to pass in the Senate, but strongly opposed by municipal groups.

תגובות

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