Ten N.H. towns approve sports betting

CONCORD – Ten New Hampshire towns voted to permit the operation of physical sportsbook retail locations in their communities during town elections Tuesday. The towns of Belmont, Derry, Hampton, Hinsdale, Hudson, Newmarket, Pelham, Rollinsford, Salem and Seabrook approved physical sportsbook locations. Meanwhile, voters from Candia, Londonderry and Windham voted to allow establishments to offer KENO 603, pending approval through the New Hampshire Lottery’s application process.

“The New Hampshire Lottery appreciates that legislators have given individual communities the ability to vote on sports betting and KENO 603 and we respect this critical process,” said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery. “With 10 more communities voting to allow sportsbook retail locations within their communities, we can continue to identify potential locations for physical sportsbooks. The voting results will also allow us to continue to expand KENO 603, which is currently offered in more than 200 establishments statewide.”

With voters in Berlin, Claremont, Franklin, Laconia, Manchester and Somersworth approving their cities for potential physical sportsbook locations this past fall, a total of 16 communities have approved physical sportsbook locations.

Including last night’s town election results, 89 New Hampshire communities have approved KENO 603 during city elections and town meetings over the past two years.

The New Hampshire Lottery and DraftKings launched mobile sports betting on December 30, 2019, and since that time, 40,906 registered users have wagered more than $45.3 million.

New Hampshire Senate passes SB 603

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Senate voted in favor of SB 603, also known as the Biomass and Forest Products Workers Assistance Act of 2020 on Wednesday. SB 603 follows Gov. Chris Sununu’s vetoes of two bills that sought to protect important Granite State jobs in the biomass industry, resulting in layoffs, the closing of biomass plants in Springfield and Whitefield, and devastating impacts for our forestry industry, the third biggest industry in New Hampshire.

“It is our responsibility as a Legislature to put forward proposals that continue to grow job opportunities for Granite Staters,” said Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes, D-Concord. “Last year, Gov. Sununu did just the opposite when he vetoed multiple biomass bills that cost dozens of hard working New Hampshire citizens their livelihoods. While the governor may feel comfortable leaving these people without relief, we do not. I thank my colleagues in the Senate for their work to right the wrongs done by the Sununu administration and give our workers the skills training and job matching they need and deserve.”

Birdsell disturbed by defeat of amendment

Concord – The New Hampshire Senate voted down an amendment to SB 486-FN, relative to insurance plans that cover maternity benefits. The amendment was the same as SB 741-FN, establishing the born alive infant act, which was previously laid on the table.

“I am deeply disturbed that my amendment to protect the life of a living, breathing baby was rejected, again, by the New Hampshire Senate,” said Sen. Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead. “The amendment would have guaranteed reasonable and appropriate care to a child who was born regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Today, my democratic colleagues sent the message that a baby who was just born is not deserving of the same level of care as any other person.”

Legislation cosponsored by senators heads to Trump

WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, both D-N.H., to expand access to broadband in rural and underserved communities in New Hampshire by improving the accuracy of broadband maps has been approved by both the Senate and House and now goes to President Donald Trump’s desk to become law.

“Far too many communities in New Hampshire do not have reliable broadband access, which hinders their ability to fully participate in the 21st century innovation economy,” Hassan said. “This bill will help improve the accuracy of the Federal Communication Commission’s broadband maps, which help determine where billions of dollars in federal funding to expand broadband are directed. I look forward to the President signing this important, bipartisan legislation into law.”

“In New Hampshire and across the country, broadband access is key to promoting economic growth, expanding educational opportunities and leveling the playing field between urban and rural communities,” Shaheen said. “By improving the accuracy of the FCC’s broadband coverage maps, the Broadband DATA Act will help ensure that we are delivering resources to the communities that need it most. I urge the President to sign this important legislation into law and I’ll continue to champion bipartisan efforts in the Senate that will increase access to high-speed broadband for all Americans, regardless of their zip code.”

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