Withdrawing state funding for public television and repealing the moratorium on school building aid are among the public hearings that were cancelled today due to the snow.
All House committee hearings and all Senate activities have been cancelled for the day.
Nixing State Funding for NHPTV
State funding of New Hampshire Public Television is under scrutiny with House Bill 113. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R-Manchester), this new law would prohibit the University System of New Hampshire from using state funds to help pay for public television. Currently, the University System funnels state funding to the broadcast station.
According to New Hampshire Watchdog, the state spent $2.57 million in FY 2010 and $2.65 million in the current 2011 budget year to help fund public television.
>> To learn more about this issue, we recommend NH Public Radio’s recent story by Dan Gorenstein.
>> Public Hearing in the House Finance Committee, LOB 210-211, on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 2:00 p.m.
Reinstating School Building Aid
Last year’s cost-cutting moratorium on school building aid could be repealed under House Bill 60, sponsored by Rep. Charles Silva (R-Orange). Its fiscal note indicates that, if passed, it would cost at least $1.125 million in fiscal Year 2013.
>> Public hearing in the House Finance Committee, LOB 210-211, Thursday, Jan. 19, at 1:00 p.m.
Keeping the Lights On
Utility companies would not be allow to disconnect service from “a residence or building in which a person is using life-sustaining medical equipment” under House Bill 123, sponsored by Rep. Steven Lindsey (D-Keene). The legislation resonates with echoes of last summer, when a Salem woman who relied on an oxygen machine died when her power was shut off (see Boston Globe story here).
>> Public hearing in the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee, LOB 304, on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 1:00 p.m.
Also on the upcoming agenda (originally scheduled for today), utility company representatives will be formally introduced to the elected representatives now serving on the House Science, Energy and Technology Committee.
Committee Briefings
In addition to these and many other public hearings next week, the following committees will be getting briefings from relevant state agencies:
The Finance Committee will hear from the State Treasury and departments of Safety and Transportation.
The Ways and Means Committee will hear from the departments of Revenue Administration, Justice, and Health & Human Services, as well as the State Treasury and Secretary of State.
This Daily Dispatch was written by Michael McCord, with contributions from Hilary Niles.