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June 2018
In This Issue
2018 State of the State Address

Tuesday, June 26, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
The Governor's Inn
78 Wakefield Street, Rochester

The Greater Dover, Rochester and Somersworth Chambers of Commerce are pleased to present the 2018 State of the State Address, underwritten by Eversource. 

Come hear Governor Sununu deliver his State of the State Address to the Tri-Chamber of Commerce business communities of Dover, Rochester and Somersworth.  A hot breakfast buffet will be served. 

The cost to attend is $25 and includes a hot buffet breakfast. 

NH Legislative Session Review
Senator David Watters
District 4, Strafford County

The 2018 legislative session culminated with the passage of many important bills that will affect New Hampshire's economy.  Despite the expected wrangling over some political issues, a bipartisan spirit prevailed in doing the important work on health care, the opioid crisis, transportation, and a host of other issues to help New Hampshire families.  

I want to note some of the most significant bills for the business community and mention a few forward-looking measures with potentially large impacts on employment and entrepreneurial activity.  A full list of bills passed can be found on the legislative website, and a list of my 17 prime sponsor bills and the 60 bills I cosponsored can be examined by entering my name as sponsor at http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/default.aspx

Strafford County Officials Plan to File For Reelection
By: Brian Early, Foster's Daily Democrat
Fosters.com
Originally Published: June 6, 2018
 
Strafford County has eight elected positions: three commissioners, treasurer, sheriff, register of deeds and register of probate.

Seven of the eight currently elected officials said they plan to file for reelection. Commissioners George Maglaras, Robert Watson and Deanna Rollo planned to file together. Maglaras is the longest serving county official, first taking office in 1983. Watson first took office in 2009, and Rollo was elected by the Strafford County Legislative Delegation earlier this year to fill out the remaining term of Leo Lessard, who died last fall.

Strafford County Attorney Tom Velardi said he also plans to run for reelection for the position he has held since he took office in 2008. Sheriff David Dubois, who is in his third term, also plans to file for reelection.  Read More...
Protecting Exotic and Endangered Animals
John Goodlander, Attorney
Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.

Shaheen & Gordon is happy to bring you this quarterly newsletter focused on legislative matters important to the Greater Dover Community. 

On June 4, 2018 Governor Sununu signed into law a bill that makes it unlawful for anyone to sell, offer for sale, possess with intent to sell, or knowingly purchase products made from or containing parts of certain exotic animals. The "covered animals" include elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, pangolins, certain endangered sharks, endangered rays, endangered sea turtles, and endangered whales. This ban will go into effect on January 1, 2019. Read More...

The Shaheen & Gordon Group LLC has been creating legislative strategies for our clients for more than a decade.  Located within walking distance of the State House, we are available to interact with New Hampshire decision makers on a daily basis.  Our clients have included national as well as local businesses looking to introduce new legislation or make changes to existing laws.  If there is a particular statute or administrative rule that is causing concern, let us know and we may be able to help.  Please contact Mike McLaughlin at our legislative group, The Shaheen & Gordon Group, at 603-225-7262 or at mmclaughlin@shaheengordon.com.
NH Added 2,300 Jobs in May
NHBR
By: Bob Sanders
NH Business Review
Originally Published: June 12, 2018

New Hampshire's unemployment rate in May ticked up a point from April, to 2.7 percent, but the number of jobs in the state increased by 2,300, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The rate was 2.7 percent in May 2017 as well, but 6,840 fewer residents were working at the time then, and about twice that if you are looking at nonfarm labor. 
What matters more is that more people are entering the state's workforce, but some of the biggest employment gains are in jobs that don't pay that well.

For instance, there was nearly a 5 percent increase in leisure and hospitality workers from last year, about 3,300 new jobs. These jobs pay on average $15.32 an hour with an average of 24.5 hours a week. (Hourly wages have gone up 38 cents since last year, but wages are down, so the average weekly wage was down by more than a dollar to $375.34.)  
Budget Sets Priorities for New Fiscal Year
City Manager, Michael Joyal

In May, the City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. Our fiscal year begins July 1.The budget adoption followed several weeks of budget workshops, meetings and public hearings.

After a series of budget adjustments made by the City Council, the adopted budget totals $145,159,793, a 4 percent increase over the prior year and 2.5 percent more than the three-year average change in the Consumer Price Index-Urban for our region. The final budget is $1.98 million over the tax cap, including $1.2 million in debt service for the new high school and career technical center. The City Council cut about $200,000 from the City portion of the proposed budget, which was already under the tax cap, and $500,000 from the school portion of the budget.  Read More...
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