While the New Hampshire House of Representatives saw fit to
pass several pieces of legislation that would be onerous for the state’s many
small businesses, the Senate acted as a backstop preventing many dangerous
bills from passing.
A proposal to reinstate a state minimum wage and
subsequently increase it failed in the Senate. There were proposals to raise
the wage to as much as $9 per hour. While the House was in favor the Senate
prevented these bills from becoming law.
There was also a bill to increase unemployment insurance
benefits from 60% to 66 2/3%. This provision failed but a taskforce to review
the issue was announced. Even states like Massachusetts have a reimbursement
list on medical procedures, New Hampshire currently does not. Governor Hassan will
select members for the taskforce and NFIB NH will fight to make certain there
is a representative from the business community as well as submit comments. The
last taskforce reduced benefits to 60% from 66 2/3%.
