Numbers in the latest jobs report from New Hampshire Employment Security showed that from September to October, the state’s labor force increased by 1,730, to an all-time high of 774,540. The total number of employed residents also went up – to 754,600.
“Democratic leadership should be ashamed of themselves for turning their backs on New Hampshire’s students,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a news release. “This game-changing grant would have cost New Hampshire taxpayers nothing.
A new Tax Foundation study ranks New Hampshire sixth in its 2020 State Business Tax Climate Index. Neighboring states did not fare so well in the study, which ranked Maine at 33rd, Massachusetts 36th, Vermont 44th and Connecticut 47th.
The allegation brought against Doug Ley earlier this year centers on charges of conflict of interest due to Ley’s position as president of the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.
Growth in the construction, hospitality and health care sectors continue to contribute to a strong employment picture in New Hampshire. The state’s labor force also grew by 1,080 from August to September, to a record-high 772,760.
It is estimated that nearly 75 percent of the land in New Hampshire qualifies for zero or discounted tax rates under Current Use law, which was enacted in the 1970s to allow farm or forest land, along with wetlands and unproductive land, to be taxed at below fair market value.
New Hampshire made the top 10 in a new Kiplinger report that ranked states on the basis of the states’ income, sales and property taxes. The surrounding states of Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts were named “Not Tax Friendly,” ranking in the bottom half of the survey.
Rebecca Ohler, who heads the DES climate and energy program, said that state officials are looking at the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) to help reduce such emissions. It would be similar to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
While SB 3 has raised the bar to prove residency, Buckley notes it has also sought to prevent voting by those in New Hampshire for temporary purposes.
Two new bills before state legislators seek to curb the use of disposable plastic such as bags and straws. Lawmakers have discussed similar measures before, but supporters hope the next legislative session will be an end to the stalemate.
New Hampshire lawmakers and Republican Gov. Chris Sununu reached a compromise on the state budget after a nearly two-month long stalemate. The House and Senate must approve the deal Wednesday.
New Hampshire expects a busy fall travel season with more than 3 million vacationers and $1.5 billion in tourism spending throughout the Granite State.