Cob Farm Road was one among many that were overcome by flood waters during the October storm in 2017 ~ Photo courtesy of Greg Frizzell

CONCORD, NH – Several New Hampshire Counties will be getting Federal help after the devastating October storm. Governor Chris Sununu announced today that President Donald Trump has granted his request for a major disaster declaration for Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton and Sullivan counties in response to the severe windstorm and flooding that occurred between October 29 and November 1, 2017.

A preliminary damage assessment by The Federal Emergency Management Agency along side state and local officials found the statewide cost exceeded $5,889,549.

President Trump’s declaration allows FEMA to fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of approved projects. It also makes federal support available though the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. Federal assistance will be available to government entities and some private non-profits providing critical services.

Governor Sununu said in a press release “Through this major disaster declaration, those most heavily impacted by the storm can have access to federal support for response efforts. I thank President Trump for his timely response to my request.”

The New Hampshire Delegation also released statements commending the presidents disaster declaration approval.

“This announcement is welcome news as New Hampshire continues to recover from this disaster,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “As Granite State communities rebuild, this declaration will help ensure they receive the resources and assistance they need to fully recover.”

“New Hampshire suffered a significant financial toll as a result of the storms and flooding last October, and this declaration will provide critical support for Granite State communities as they continue to recover,” Senator Maggie Hassan said. “I am glad that the Trump Administration heeded our call for a Major Disaster Declaration to support Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton, and Sullivan counties.”

“This declaration will provide critical resources to help Granite Staters complete the recovery from October’s storm, and I am pleased that FEMA is assisting in this effort,” said Congresswoman Carroll Shea-Porter. “This is why the federal government needs to be properly funded, so it can help states recover from and repair the damage caused by natural disasters and other events.”

“Communities throughout the state were devastated by the damaging storm last fall and as communities rebuild it is critical that they have the support necessary from the federal government,” Congresswoman Ann Kuster said. “This Emergency Declaration will not only help communities rebuild, but also improve their infrastructure so that they are better equipped to face future storms.”

“We are very pleased to receive this declaration,” Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Perry Plummer said. “We will be reaching out to emergency management directors within the eligible counties to provide meeting dates, information about the application process, and to assist with applications.”

In response to the storm, Governor Sununu executed the State Emergency Operations Plan with an activation of the State Emergency Operations Center on October 29 through November 3, 2017. The combination of heavy rainfall and strong winds caused severe damage to hundreds of miles of local and State roadways, dozens of bridges and culverts, and left more than 270,000 electrical utility customers without power.

For more details on the Governor’s request, the major disaster declaration and available resources, visit http://www.governor.nh.gov.

 

CONCORD, NH  – New Hampshire lawmakers are back to work and finishing up old business. The House and Senate start their second half of the two-year Legislative session today. They will meet to vote on more than 100 bills they delayed action on last year. The House is expected to take at least two days to plow through its list, while the Senate calendar is considerably shorter.

Among the bills up for consideration in the senate are two related bills one that would eliminate the statute of limitations on prosecuting any sexual assault or incest case and another that would remove the limit in cases when the victims were under age 18. The Senate Judiciary Committee is recommending that the first bill be killed and the second be amended to create a commission to study the issue.

The Senate Committee on elections law is recommending passage by the full Senate of a bill aimed at ending confusion over the terms “residency” and “domicile” for voting purposes by making them synonymous. Supporters argue doing so would reduce election fraud and ensure that only New Hampshire residents vote in the state, but opponents say it amounts to a poll tax because college students would have to declare residency in order to vote, thus becoming subject to residency requirements such as obtaining a driver’s license and registering their cars.

When it comes to the House they will consider a bill requiring blood testing for lead in all children age 2 and under, bringing the action level for lead in a child’s blood in line with federal standards and providing $6 million in loan guarantees for property owners for abatement projects. The Senate-passed version would have provided grants instead of loans. Governor Chris Sununu recently voiced his support of the bill.

One major bill up for consideration in the House is an overhauled version of a senate passed bill that would provide parents with the state’s basic per-pupil grant of roughly $3,000 to be used for private school tuition or home schooling. To qualify, parents would have to have a household income less than or equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty limit, live in an under performing school district, have a child with an individual education plan or tried unsuccessfully to enroll a child in a charter school or get an education tax credit. Opponents argued the program would violate the state Constitution, which says no person, shall be compelled to pay to support a religious school.

Lawmakers will also be looking at a bill that seeks to create a family and medical leave insurance program. The bill insurance would providing leave for the birth, adoption or fostering of a child or serious illness, including substance use disorders, of a spouse, civil union partner, child, parent or grandparent. Supporters say it will address key challenges in the state, including maintaining its workforce and helping the state recover from the opioid crisis. Opponents say it is just a tax disguised as an insurance premium.

AUGUSTA, ME (AP) – Mainers who want to run for office in 2018 can start gathering signatures. Voters this year will elect one of Maine’s two U.S. senators, Maine’s governor, two representatives to Congress, members of the Maine Legislature and several county officers.

Anyone who wants to get on the 2018 ballot for the June 12 primary or Nov. 6 general election must fill out a petition. Prospective candidates can begin collecting signatures on the first day of the new year.

Members of the Democratic, Green Independent, Libertarian or Republican parties seeking their party’s nomination must submit their forms to the secretary of state by March 15. Non-party candidates must submit their forms by May 25 to the appropriate municipality for certification.

The number of signatures required depends on the office and party.