It was a busy day in Concord yesterday, so let’s get to it!
Bradley: More business tax cuts
New Hampshire Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, Republican from Wolfeboro, has introduced Senate Bill 1, which reduces the Business Profits Tax from 8 point 2 to 7 point 7 percent for taxable periods ending on or after June 30th, 20 18 and from 7 point 7 percent to 7 point 5 percent for taxable periods ending on or after June 30th, 20 21.
The bill would continue to reduce the tax Republicans started to cut in the last legislative term. You might recall that then Governor Margaret Wood Hassan vetoed the budget that contained the tax cut, in large part because she said it would blow a ninety million dollar hole in the state budget. It didn’t. The exact opposite happened so evidently, she claimed credit for the budget and the tax cuts as a candidate for U S Senate.
Anyway, of the continued reduction, Bradley said, quote:
By continuing to lower the Business Profits Tax, we build on our efforts to make New Hampshire a more competitive place to do business, growing good paying jobs for families and a thriving economic climate.
Sanborn: Making state more business friendly
Also on the tax relief front, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Andy Sanborn, Republican from Bedford, praised the committee’s approval of Senate Bill seventy seven, which would increase the deduction small businesses can make under the Internal Revenue Code for capital purchases to half a million dollars. Sanborn, who sponsored the bill, said increasing the deduction from its current one hundred thousand dollars would improve the state’s business environment and quote
allow New Hampshire’s small businesses to re-invest more of their hard-earned money back into their business thereby supporting more good jobs for families and expanding operations or purchasing new equipment.
This legislation would bring New Hampshire in line with 40 other states and the Internal Revenue Code’s 1 7 9 deduction standard.
Sununu: Signs Constitutional Carry
The marquee event of the day, however was a signing ceremony hosted by Governor Christopher Sununu. Senate Bill 12, the so called Constitutional Carry Bill, received the gov’s signature. That means it became law, boys and girls. New Hampshire residents will no longer need permission of their local police chief to conceal carry a firearm. Supporters of the bill point to the origins of the century old law this bill was designed to overturn. It was adopted to prevent immigrants and union workers from being able to carry concealed weapons. They also argued it made no sense to require people to get a permit to conceal when they could open carry the same gun without permission. In signing the bill, Sununu said, quote:
SB12 ensures New Hampshire citizens are guaranteed the fundamental right to carry a firearm in defense of themselves and their families, as prescribed by Article 2a of our state constitution…This is about making sure that the laws on our books are keeping people safe while remaining true to the Live Free or Die spirit that makes New Hampshire the great state that it is. This is a commitment I made to the people of New Hampshire and I am proud today to fulfill that commitment…
Hassan: Progress in her absence
The bill does not, in any way, change who is and is not eligible to own a fire arm and does not abolish conceal carry permits, which many gun owners will still want because states that do require them will recognize the one issued in New Hampshire. Former Governor Margaret Wood Hassan vetoed the same bill last year.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Getting pulled over by a cop is one thing. Getting pulled over by a cop riding a horse is quite another. This story brought to you by officers Paul Rondeau and Kelly McKenney of the Manchester Police Department’s Mounted Unit. They observed an uninspected vehicle on Elm Street at just after Noon yesterday and conducted a stop in front of the Shaskeen as a result. Yes, they did dismount their horses to speak with the operator of the vehicle, who initially gave them a false name and claimed not to have a license.
Louis-Fatal: Not cooperative
Officer Ryan Brandreth joined the fun and positively identified the operator as twenty five year old Lounedia Louis-Fatal, of Manchester. Doesn’t appear she liked being identified as she became argumentative and refused to exit her vehicle despite being told she was under arrest for disobeying a police officer for providing a false name.
Because three officers apparently wasn’t enough, Sergeant Eric Knight responded to the scene and eventually talked her out of the vehicle. She was placed into custody and charged with disobeying a police officer, operating after suspension, resisting arrest and violation of bail.
Two years ago, a couple of ducklings were hatched in Marguerite Hopey’s kindergarten classroom at Weston Elementary School. They went to live with a friend of the school, who has maintained the Weston connection, bringing the ducks, named Plumpty and Pierre, to visit several times since.
Pierre & Plumpty tie the knot
This year’s kindergarten students decided Plumpty and Pierre should get married. Once the idea was, well, hatched, Mrs. Hopey and the children threw themselves into planning the event, embracing learning opportunities at the same time.
During interactive writing lessons, the children designed invitations, wrote the wedding vows, and created a reception menu. Math skills helped the students determine the timing of the event, calculate how much food is needed, and make seating arrangements. Weston’s music teacher is working with the students to prepare music for the ceremony, and the art teacher is guiding the children on creating decorations and wedding favors.
Principal Liz MacDonald will officiate at the ceremony, which will start at one this afternoon.
That’s news from our own backyard! Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
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