2016 Efforts

The Council continues to monitor legislation that falls under the Fix it Five Areas of policy concern: (1) promote and facilitate access to capital, (2) promote state level funding for innovation, (3) support for STEM education and workforce development, (4) attention to a competitive tax climate (5) attention to a non-burdensome regulatory environment.

June 2016

by Michelline Dufort, NHHTC, Director of Business Relations

The 2016 legislative session is now behind us. Much of the debate and discussion, and political capital, were placed on human service issues, namely the state’s opioid crisis and the expansion of the NH Health Protection Program (a.k.a. Medicaid Expansion).

The Council continued to monitor and weigh in on issues that affected tech companies’ way of doing business throughout the session and into the Committees of Conference process, which is when final “deals” are made on hanging on to bills from handpicked legislative committees composed of members from both parties.

To view where priority legislative issues for the Council landed, visit our Legislative Priorities Tracker below.

Meanwhile, all of the posturing has led to a stage setting for vast changes in our state’s legislative body. In the current NH Senate, the Republicans hold the majority (14-10), however, eight members are not seeking re-election; two of them are Democrats and six are Republicans. While the Republicans will fight to hold their four seat majority, it is widely acknowledged that many districts are gearing up to look like competitive races. Regardless of party outcome, this will change the legislative landscape dramatically.

In the NH House, the Republicans hold a 79 seat majority, (235-160), but the upcoming elections will here, too, prove to be interesting. In recent years, the House has gone through massive swings, and the presidential elections will have a strong bearing on overall results.

Given that the tech sector in New Hampshire is crucial to our state’s future economic growth, the Council will be working with all elected members of both houses to educate and familiarize them with not only the sector’s impact, but the Council’s role and areas of concern. The Council will be holding member meetings in the fall in different districts, and will be inviting current legislators to listen as we do an intake on areas of interest and priorities with current and prospective members.

Given the impending elections, the Council will be holding a Town Hall Forum for the gubernatorial candidates on September 7, and a later Forum with candidates for US Congress.

What does all of this mean? It’s a time of change, and the Council is preparing to be at the ready with legislative efforts that will support innovation, funding and growth of the industry. It also means the broader and deeper input, the better. We encourage Council members to share specific legislative concerns and consider joining our Legislative Affairs Committee. Please be sure to reach out to me directly at michelline@cooksonstrategies.com if interested.

(1) Regulatory/Administration (2) Taxes & Fees (3) Access to Capital (4) NH Business Innovation/Promotion (5) Identifying & Building a Skilled Workforce – Priority Key: 1-actively lobby, 2-passively lobby, 3 – monitor