NEWS & NOTES DCYF review
While the Division of Children, Youth and Families is being reviewed by the state Attorney General’s office and a legislative committee, a third entity will soon start its own review. The Union Leader reported the governor’s office will initiate a review of DCYF through a third party contracted without a bidding process. Spokespeople at the governor’s office say they are in negotiations with a third-party reviewer already and the contract will come up during a future Governor and Executive Council meeting. The office hopes the review process will look into how recent child death cases were handled, staffing, caseloads, training and the laws in place meant to protect children. Meanwhile, Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard has softened his stance on DCYF after publicly criticizing the agency for not doing enough to protect a toddler killed allegedly by her mother and for not cooperating with the police investigation. The Union Leader reported Willard met with DCYF director Lorraine Bartlett and staff to apologize for his remarks, saying he was caught up in the emotions of the moment. Sadie Willott, a 21-month-old girl, was found in her apartment with blunt impact injuries to her head last September. She was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Her mother, Katlin Paquette, is charged with second-degree murder. Willard’s criticisms spurred a legislative review committee to draft a bill that would allow for more information-sharing between law enforcement and DCYF.
Primary threats
The New Hampshire primary’s first-in-the-nation status went unchallenged this year, but efforts are already underway to unseat early-voting states for the next election cycle. The Union Leader reported a member of the Republican National Committee from Utah, Enid Mickelsen, has submitted a resolution first proposed by Texas GOP Chairman Tom Melcher that would remove the protected status of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and
Nevada. The resolution would preclude candidates from earning delegates in any state if they place their name on a ballot in a state that is not on the prescribed calendar. Other critics fear New Hampshire’s cherished status is already under threat by the growing influence of national party bosses and media outlets through the debate process.
considered in past elections as well. Gatsas won his fourth term as mayor about three months ago. Other Republicans are already in the race, including Executive Councilor Chris Sununu and State Rep. Frank Edelblut, and Democrats Mark Connolly and Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern are also running.
People’s pledge?
Another undercover video produced by conservative activist James O’Keefe taken ostensibly at New Hampshire polling places during the primary purports to show voter fraud. A similar video was produced by O’Keefe during the 2012 primary. NHPR reported that the video is heavily edited and the Attorney General’s office is investigating it to see if any illegal activity occurred.
Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan have exchanged volleys via email press releases as the two campaigns for the senate seat have begun to ramp up. NHPR reported at the center of the email war is the so-called people’s pledge, which would limit the influence of outside political groups in this high-profile race. Ayotte first proposed the pledge on Feb. 11, which called for the campaigns to work together to discourage third-party spending. But Hassan refused to sign it and instead created a pledge of her own, dubbed it the “strengthened” people’s pledge and specified a $15 million cap for each campaign. Ayotte’s campaign said Hassan’s counter offer was an effort to “kill” the pledge without rejecting it. $2.6 million has been spent by outside groups so far.
Lice
Some members of the Manchester school board are concerned about a change in policy last school year that gave schools more leeway when finding kids with head lice. The Union Leader reported kids found to be infested with lice are no longer sent home immediately and periodic lice examinations no longer happen. But critics on the board say parents are complaining that this new policy is not working and lice are more likely to be spread than before.
Gatsas for gov?
It’s a wide open race for governor as Gov. Maggie Hassan goes after the U.S. Senate seat and Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas may take a stab at a gubernatorial run, the Union Leader reported. Gatsas said he is “seriously considering” a run, something he’s
HIPPO | FEBRUARY 18 - 24, 2016 | PAGE 4
The town of Salisbury is considering pulling its children from the Merrimack Valley School District. The Concord Monitor reported a warrant article would form a study committee to look into the option, which is driven by cost concerns. CONCORD
Polling video
Overdose count
The state’s office of the Chief Medical Examiner has released the latest count of drug overdose victims in 2015. The toll is now up to 414 drug-related deaths. There were 326 in 2014 and 192 in 2013. The number could continue to rise as the ME’s office is still awaiting test results from 22 more cases. The vast majority of the deaths (380) were associated with opioids, and fentanyl alone contributed to 155 deaths so far.
All-day kindergarten
The House killed a bill that would have provided funding for communities to offer full-day kindergarten. NHPR reported the vote was cast along party lines,
SEN. JERRY LITTLE
The town of Candia will vote next month on whether it will pull its kids from the Manchester school district in favor of Pinkerton Academy in Derry. NHPR reported this will make Candia the last sending town to withdraw from the Queen City.
The school board search Hooksett committee in Concord has nominated Tom Sica to be the new principal of Concord Goffstown High School. The Concord Monitor reported Sica has been the principal at Rundlett Middle School for the MANCHESTER past six years. Bedford
A proposed Verizon Wireless Amherst cell tower in Salem has residents up in arms. The Union Leader reported Milford multiple residents gave arguments against the plan at a recent planning board meeting, but Verizon reps say the location is important to fill a coverage gap.
with Republicans voting against it, citing cost. Proponents of the bill say it would not have required full-day kindergarten but would have supplied resources to communities that already offer it.
Unspent money
An audit by the legislative budget assistant discovered more than 100 people with disabilities were placed on waiting lists while $20
Gov. Maggie Hassan has nominated Republican state Sen. Jerry Little of Weare to head the New Hampshire Banking Department. The Concord Monitor reported Hassan cited Little’s “extensive” experience in the banking industry. Little was elected to his first term in 2014 and serves on the Senate Finance Committee, which works on the state budget. Little was the president of the New Hampshire Bankers Association and the executive director of the New Hampshire Bankers Association Insurance Trust for two decades. Senate President Chuck Morse said in a press release that he supports the nomination. The Executive Council will have to approve Little’s appointment.
Merrimack
Derry
Londonderry
NASHUA
million in general funds appropriated for health department services went unspent in fiscal year 2015. The Union Leader reported it would have cost the state $5 million to address the needs of the 109 people with developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorders. Since it did not spend the money, the state could not draw upon matching federal Medicaid dollars.
LEGAL POT BILL
The House killed a bill on Feb. 11 that would have made the recreational use of marijuana legal. The Union Leader reported that the bill would have also taxed the plant $15 per ounce of leaves and $350 per ounce of flowers. Flowers are much more potent than leaves and can be used to grow new plants. The bill would have made it legal for individuals to grow up to six plants. It would have remained illegal for residents younger than 21 to consume. Proponents argued the drug is safer than alcohol, which claimed 50,000 lives nationally in 2015. Critics cited the drug crisis and concerns that it would fall into the hands of young people, and noted that law enforcement would be unable to test drivers who may be high and there would be no way to tax plants people grow in their home.