Press Releases

Senate, House and Governor reach agreement on Ed Funding

CONCORD – Senate and House Leaders, along with Gov. Lynch, announced today that an agreement has been reached on a constitutional amendment regarding education funding.  The agreed to version of CACR 12 reads: [Art.] 5-c [Public Education].  In fulfillment of the provisions with respect to education set forth in Part II, Article 83, the legislature …

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House Leaders Comment on Voter ID Compromise

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) offered the following comments in response to the agreement between the House and Senate to pass a voter identification requirement.  The agreement will require an expansive list of identification and an affidavit for this year’s elections, but will require a …

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House and Senate Leaders agree on tax cap, ban on income tax

CONCORD– House and Senate Leaders issued the following statements regarding the passage of CACR 6 and CACR 13 today:  House Speaker William O’Brien: “These two constitutional amendments, if passed by the voters, will help guaranteeNew Hampshire’s low-tax, limited-government strategy for economic growth will endure for generations to come.  By making it significantly harder to raise …

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House Leaders Comment on Fetal Homicide Legislation

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today offered the following comments after the House voted to concur with Senate changes to legislation (House Bill 217) that would allow prosecutors to charge those who kill an unborn child with murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide. House Speaker William …

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House Leaders Comment on Bill to Block ObamaCare Exchanges

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today offered the following comments after the House voted to concur with Senate changes to legislation (House Bill 1297) that would block the implementation of ObamaCare health benefits exchanges by state agencies. House Speaker William O’Brien “Implementing ObamaCare exchanges here …

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House Speaker Names Rep. Peter Silva as Majority Leader

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) today announced that he has named Rep. Peter Silva (R-Nashua) as Majority Leader.  Silva has served as Deputy Majority Leader and also serves on the Judiciary Committee in his second legislative term representing Wards 5, 8 & 9 in Nashua.  Additionally, Rep. Silva has named Ways and …

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Laconia Rep Condemns Hitler Portrayal of Speaker O’Brien

CONCORD – New Hampshire House Representative Robert Kingsbury of Laconia today released the following statement in reaction to a cartoon that ran in the Concord Monitor that depicted Speaker O’Brien with a Hitler mustache and included the words, “if the mustache fits.” Rep. Robert Kingsbury “When I was 18 years old I was a rifle …

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House Rewrites Electric Renewable Portfolio Standards to Lower Electric Rates

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien offered the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 218, which, as amended, makes significant changes to New Hampshire’s renewable electric portfolio standards (RPS) law. It expands the potential number of eligible renewable generation facilities, giving slight preference to New Hampshire indigenous resources such as wood, wind and …

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House Speaker Comments on Non-Concurrence with Senate on Education Funding Bill

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien today commented on the non-concurrence vote in the House with the Senate version of a constitutional amendment on education funding. Concurrence of CACR 12 was voted down by a 54 to 287 vote followed by a non-concur and a request for committee of conference vote of 295 to 48. …

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House Speaker Comments on Passage of Bill to Protect Public Safety by Allowing Law Enforcement to Remove Drivers Impaired by New Drugs

CONCORD– House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) today offered the following comments relative to the passage of House Bill 1699.  The bill, sponsored by O’Brien, updates the definition of driving under the influence of drugs, by covering a number of new intoxicating substances into the definition of drugs. House Speaker William O’Brien “This is an …

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House Leaders Statement on Passing of Rep. Jim Powers

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien and Deputy House Speaker Pamela Tucker today released the following statement on the passing of Portsmouth legislator Jim Powers who Wednesday lost his battle with cancer. House Speaker William O’Brien “Jim was a well liked and respected legislator and advocate for his constituents. The sad news of his passing …

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Speaker Comments on Passage of Bill to Put State Contracts Online

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien offered the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1686, which requires that all state contracts awarded by RFP’s to be posted on the state website after the bid is awarded. The bill passed on a voice vote. House Speaker William O’Brien “This legislation will bring transparency to …

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House Speaker Comments on Passage of Legislative Oversight Committee of Department of Environmental Services

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien offered the following comments on the passage of House Bill 1435, which establishes a committee to oversee the Department of Environmental Services (DES). House Speaker William O’Brien “This bill provides an avenue for legislative oversight and will ensure that the agency carefully considers the impact the Department of Environmental …

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