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Concord, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire lawmakers began the brand new yr with outdated enterprise Wednesday, taking on tons of of payments left over from 2023. But in addition they seemed forward to the remainder of 2024, with some Democrats demanding motion on gun management and Republicans describing an agenda targeted on the economic system, public security and different priorities.
Republicans maintain a 14-10 majority within the Senate. But the GOP benefit within the House stays slim sufficient that like final yr, Democrats may outnumber Republicans on any given day relying on attendance. Currently, there are 198 Republicans, 194 Democrats, three independents and 4 vacancies.
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Before their periods started, Democrats from each chambers held an out of doors information convention to stipulate a bundle of payments geared toward stopping gun violence. After the deadly taking pictures of a New Hampshire Hospital safety officer in November, Republicans agreed to work with Democrats on a invoice that may be sure that those that are involuntarily dedicated to psychiatric hospitals can’t buy or possess firearms till it’s decided that they’re not a hazard to themselves or others. But Democrats need to go additional with laws associated to background checks, excessive threat safety orders, imposing ready intervals earlier than gun gross sales and establishing a voluntary waiver of the appropriate to buy weapons.
The closely-divided NH Legislature is at the moment contemplating a collection of payments that didn’t win approval earlier within the session.
“There are those in Concord in the building behind us who say that New Hampshire doesn’t have a gun problem, that we’re the safest state in the nation. And even that we’re lucky to live in a state that just happens to have some of the weakest gun laws in the country,” mentioned Rep. David Meuse, D-Portsmouth. “What I say to that is, tell that to the victims and their families. While no series of laws can ever completely stop gun violence and suicides, there are simple, sensible ways we can reduce the level of risk.”
At a separate information convention, Senate Republicans mentioned their focus is sustaining the “New Hampshire advantage,” GOP shorthand for low taxes and a affluent economic system.
“It is vitally important, in my opinion and in all of our opinion, that we protect hard-working men and women from higher taxes, allow small businesses to thrive and maintain our really – compared to other states – good economic status,” mentioned Senate President Jeb Bradley.
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Beyond that, Republicans will give attention to public security – together with bail reform, defending the northern border and growing penalties for drug trafficking and different crimes, mentioned Sen. Sharon Carson. “Empowering parents,” increasing faculty alternative, bettering entry to psychological well being therapy and defending New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential major additionally will likely be priorities, she mentioned.
The House, in the meantime, voted Wednesday to maneuver the state major from September to August to elongate what is among the nation’s shortest normal election home windows. Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed an analogous invoice in 2021.
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