I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Sports
Letters
Region
Obituaries
Abstract Paintings & Tribal Masks Exhibition At New Hampshire Antique Co-Op
Now on view through May 31, 2020
Congregational Church Stays Connected
During the suspension of in-person activities in light of the Covid-19 situation, the Congregational Church of Amherst, UCC has a variety of ways for members and others to connect with church programs. This is especially important during April as Holy Week and Easter are on the horizon.
The most up-to-date information about church activities can be found on the church’s website (ccamherst.org) or by calling the church office at 673-3231. Sunday services are broadcast on FacebookLive and recorded for later on-line viewing. Services are followed by a Virtual Fellowship Hour. Links for these and other events can be found on the website.
The church’s Facebook page is another source of information, including updates and video messages from the pastors. Pastors Maureen Frescott and Kate Kennedy are available to provide pastoral care during this time, and the church welcomes community members to connect with this loving, serving, open and affirming community of faith.
Lorraine Alice Hamilton
AMHERST – Lorraine Alice Hamilton of Amherst, New Hampshire, Beach Haven, New Jersey and Rancho Mirage, California died June 14, 2020 from pancreatic cancer at her home in California. She was 73 years old and a participant in the trial of a new cancer drug at NYU Langone in New York City since April 2019. She hoped that results from the trial would improve care for other patients who develop this cancer. She was with her family when she died and was
Donald Richard Haaker
Donald Richard Haaker, 80, born June 2, 1940, son of Carl E Haaker and Jeanne LaRochelle Haaker of Fitchburg, MA, son, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA.
Don, as he was affectionately referred to by friends, and Dad or Grandpa by family, was a proud veteran, avid fisherman, former business owner, collector of “As Seen On TV” gadgets, and
State News
State Licenses Over 650 Nurses in Three Week Period
CONCORD, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement after the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) confirmed that the State licensed over 650 nurses in a three week period following Governor Chris Sununu’s Executive Order 2021-12, regarding “all actions completed in order to increase licensed health care workforce and hospital capacity.”
“As a result of our Executive Order, we have fast tracked flexibility and granted licenses to over 650 nurses,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “We are breaking down barriers to ensure our health care system has the staffing needed to respond to this winter surge, and I would like to thank OPLC for their expedited work in helping get nurses on the front lines of our hospitals.”
“OPLC thanks Governor Sununu for his leadership in assisting OPLC and the Board of Nursing to make necessary changes to the licensure process and reduce barriers to workforce entry,” said OPLC Executive Director Lindsey Courtney. “OPLC looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Board of Nursing to identify ways to eliminate unnecessary licensure requirements, increase portability of nurses licensed in other states, and to expedite the licensing timeframes overall.”
From December 1st through December 20th, 658 total licenses were issued for health care nurses to practice in New Hampshire.
Note: For more information, or for questions related to the licensing process, OPLC Executive Director Lindsey Courtney is available for interviews, and can be contacted at lindsey.b.courtney@oplc.nh.gov.
​
Record Revenue Back to NH Communities from Meals and Rooms Revenue Fund
CONCORD, NH – House Speaker Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry) and Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) released comments:
“This news is another example of Republicans delivering on our campaign promises. We saved NH families money by decreasing the Statewide Education Property Tax by $100 million, phased out the Interest & Dividends tax, and lowered taxes on job creators. In our budget we created the Meals and Rooms Revenue Fund which is now sending record revenue back into the communities.” said Speaker Packard.
“We will continue to roll up our sleeves and do good work - together. We have a passionate group of legislators that truly care about New Hampshire and its residents, and we will carry that momentum into 2022.”
“Today’s news is a record-setting Christmas gift to New Hampshire’s municipalities,” said Rep. Osborne. “Previous budgets regularly suspended the requirement to send 30% of the revenue from the Meals and Rooms tax back to municipalities in order to fund other areas of state government.”
“Not only did our Republican budget cut the Meals and Rooms tax rate from 9% to 8.5%, decreasing the amount that consumers are required to pay at our restaurants and hotels, but we also prevented the revenue from being siphoned off at the expense of taxpayers. We will continue to deliver on our campaign promises to cut taxes and make a positive impact in the lives of Granite Staters.”
​
Governor Sununu Comments on Revenue Boost to Municipalities
CONCORD, NH – Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement after the New Hampshire Senate announced that New Hampshire municipalities are receiving a 45% increase in revenue from the Rooms and Meals Tax, thanks to the recently enacted Republican state budget.
“We cut the rooms and meals tax to its lowest level in over a decade and yet we still sent even more money back to cities and towns,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Instead of downshifting costs, we downshifted cash, giving cities and towns extra flexibility — a win for our citizens."
​
Republican Budget Delivers Major Tax Relief for NH Communities
NH cities and towns receive 45% increase in Meals & Rentals revenue
CONCORD, NH - New Hampshire municipalities are receiving a 45% increase in revenue from the Meals and Rentals Tax, thanks to the recently enacted Republican state budget.
Under HB 2, the local share of revenues from the state’s tax on restaurants, hotels, and car rentals increased to 30%, up from 22% in the last budget. Together with strong growth in New Hampshire’s hospitality industry, this results in more than $100 million going directly to local coffers to help keep local property tax rates down. In total, the New Hampshire Treasury is transferring $100,143,752 to cities and towns by the end of the day. That represents an increase of 45.5% ($32M) from Fiscal Year 2021.
Senate President Chuck Morse (R-Salem), said, “Cutting taxes is always a priority for Republicans. It puts more money in working families pockets, makes living in New Hampshire more affordable and tells businesses that New Hampshire is the place they should set up shop. The additional $32M being sent back to our cities and towns will make a real difference, especially when it comes to helping to lower local property tax rates.”
The increase in Meals and Rentals (M&R) Revenue Sharing was spearheaded by Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R-Bedford), whose legislation was incorporated into the state budget package in June. “I made it my goal this past session to protect local property taxpayers by making certain the state kept its promise to share more of the revenues that our M&R tax generates. I am happy and extremely satisfied that today, our cities and towns will finally receive the amount they’ve been promised for so long,” said Ricciardi.
Increased revenue sharing is just one example of how the new budget is delivering tax relief for Granite Staters. The balanced budget also lowered businesses taxes, began the phase out the Interest and Dividends Tax on seniors’ investment income, and cut $100 million from the Statewide Property Tax.
Note: Town-by-Town list of Rooms & Meals Revenue Sharing allocations can be found here.
​