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Feb. 7: Commuter rail promoted for NH
Gov. Maggie Hassan and other Democratic leaders in the state got behind a report released this week that extols the virtues of a commuter rail line from Boston to Nashua and Manchester.
The Capitol Corridor Rail Study can be found in full here.
It made the case that commuter rail service to Nashua and Manchester will be popular among commuters, it will create jobs, and it could help drive the economy, It did not make a strong case for extending the line to Concord.
“A solid, modern transportation infrastructure is critical to the success of our people and businesses, and bringing commuter rail from Boston to Nashua and Manchester is another important step in strengthening our transportation infrastructure. Improving access to the entire region and providing types of new transportation and housing opportunities that 21st century workers and families desire, rail will help keep more of our young people right here in the Granite State and spark economic growth for decades to come,” Hassan said in a statement.
“Our business community understands the many benefits of commuter rail, and we must find a way to remain responsive to their needs by finding a consensus way forward that will build on our many advantages and help set the stage for a new generation of economic growth. I look forward to working with legislators from both parties, with local communities and with our businesses in order to continue to improve our transportation infrastructure and to bring commuter rail to New Hampshire.”
According to an Associated Press story cited on Seacoast Online, federal funding would cover at least half the cost of the Manchester project and probably more. There's a 20 percent state match required plus the operating and maintenance costs — estimated at $10.8 million a year for the Manchester project — that could come from sources including the state's capital program, parking fees and vehicle registration fees, among others.
Legislative review
House and Senate committees were at work again this week on a variety of measures:
A House committee killed a bill allowing landlords to collect a last month’s rent on top of first month’s rent and security deposit. See a Concord Monitor story here.
A House committee rejected a bill that defines life at conception, so-called personhood. See a Concord Monitor story here.
Two bills related to the Common Core set of educational standards (SB 81 and SB 82) – one to limit the state Board of Education, the other to stop the education commission from implementing Common Core – were killed by the Senate Education Committee. See a Union Leader story here.
The House Election Law Committee heard a bill that repeals a measure from last year that prohibits voters from taking a digital photograph of a marked ballot. The bill’s sponsor says it’s a First Amendment issue. See an NHPR story here.
Education funding was a topic this week in the State House with the filing of a bill - HB 562 – to eliminate the cap on education funding that’s distributed to communities. See a Union Leader story here.
And HB 102 requires a town meeting to vote on every warrant article. Under current practice, a lengthy meeting could be adjourned without acting on all the articles, in effect killing the remaining requests. See a Union Leader story here.
On the road
Nascent 2016 presidential candidates were on the road to this week to New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary state.
Former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki was in the state for a couple of days, visiting Concord and Keene. Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton was also in the state. See a Keene Sentinel story here. Look for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to make a visit here soon, according to NH1.
All those folks are Republicans. We have yet to hear from any of the Democrats who might be running in 2016.
A new poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center shows among Republicans that Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is on top with 17 percent support. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is close behind, with 12 percent. See a WMUR story here. A WMUR story also notes that, with a year to go before the New Hampshire primary, Bush has yet to schedule a visit.
Seat belts, right to work, and vaccinations are among the topics currently trending over on our Facebook page. Join in on the discussion.
And, by the way, more snow is forecast. So what else is new?
Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org
Source: http://townhall.livefreeordiealliance.org/xn/detail/4091641:BlogPost:69463
