New Hampshire

November 03, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a commitment to insure a mortgage loan to LRGHealthcare in Laconia, New Hampshire. The not-for-profit corporation owns and operates Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia, Franklin Regional Hospital in Franklin, and a medical office building in Meredith. The $136.4 million loan is made possible through the Federal Housing Administration’s Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program.    » read more »

November 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) today announced that significant federal funding for three important land conservation initiatives in New Hampshire has secured final approval. The measure includes $2.5 million for the Silvo O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, $2.4 million for Cardigan Highlands and $1.375 million for the Mahoosuc Gateway/Success Township Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) project.    » read more »

October 13, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Paul Hodes filed legislation along with Peter Welch of Vermont, David Loebsack of Iowa, and Tom Perriello of Virginia to extend unemployment compensation to all states, including New Hampshire.

The House passed legislation earlier this month that extended benefits only for the 27 states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. The Senate is considering compromise legislation that would extend benefits to all states for 14 weeks – with an additional six weeks for states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. Congressman Hodes opposed the House legislation and is supportive of Senator Shaheen’s compromise legislation in the Senate.    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that more than $26 million in funding for local New Hampshire projects which she requested was authorized in the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

“I am pleased that this important funding was included in the National Defense Authorization Act,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. “I supported these projects because they will boost our local economy and help keep our country safe.”

Shea-Porter successfully secured funding for the following projects in the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act:

$10 million for Replacing Squadron Operations Facilities for the Air National Guard    » read more »

October 5, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today met with Nashua-area business owners to discuss the rewards and challenges of exporting New Hampshire-made products overseas. The discussion took place at Sky-Skan, Inc., a manufacturer of digital planetarium and digital theater instruments that has successfully expanded its business and workforce by tapping into overseas markets.

"Exporting products and services to international markets will help New Hampshire's economy grow during the economic crisis," said Shaheen. "Small and medium sized businesses will benefit greatly from exporting their products overseas, and we must continue to help these businesses access the resources and financing necessary for them to succeed."    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Judd Gregg and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today called on Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to adjust proposed fisheries regulations in New England to reflect the unique needs of New Hampshire's fishing fleet, which has suffered disproportionately under previous regulations. Shaheen, Gregg and Shea-Porter also requested that the agency's budget provide adequate resources to help New Hampshire fishermen transition to the new management system.    » read more »

Small Businesses With Comparable Plans Could Save Thousands of Dollars a Year on Health Insurance Costs Beginning Tomorrow

September 30, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today spoke with company officials and workers at Logo Loc in Manchester to highlight the launch of New Hampshire HealthFirst, a new wellness-focused insurance plan for small businesses that becomes available tomorrow.

HealthFirst is comparable to the most popular, comprehensive health insurance plan for small businesses with an average 15 to 20 percent lower cost.    » read more »

Dairy is Critical Industry for NM; State Ranks 7th in Dairy Production

September 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) today joined a half-dozen of his Senate colleagues at a press conference on Capitol Hill to express his support of the nation's struggling dairy farmers. Click here for photos of the event.

Dairy farmers in New Mexico and across the country are experiencing a financial crisis due to massive drops in the prices of dairy products. Over the last year, dairy prices have dropped as much as 40 percent from record highs – and 17 percent to 19 percent below the 10-year average. By contrast, feed prices over that same period decreased by only 8 percent.    » read more »

September 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. The measure includes $64 million for programs being undertaken by New Hampshire companies. The bill is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. The funding is included within the Committee allocation set out for the Fiscal Year 2010 spending measures. A breakdown of the projects is listed below.    » read more »

Declaration Makes Assistance Available for Farmers in All 10 NH Counties

September 14, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today announced the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has declared a disaster designation for all 10 New Hampshire counties due to losses suffered by local farmers caused by heavy rains this summer. With the declaration, New Hampshire farmers will be able to access federal assistance, including emergency loans.

Gov. Lynch requested the disaster declaration in a letter he sent to Secretary Vilsack last month    » read more »

Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order

August 31, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today announced that the New Hampshire Department of Justice went to court this afternoon in an attempt to protect the rights of the 131 workers of Precision Technology in Pembroke. In response to the state’s action, a judge has issued a temporary restraining order.

This afternoon Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Bruce Mohl issued a temporary restraining order against the company, preventing the transfer of assets of Precision Technology until a formal hearing is held. A hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m.    » read more »

Lynch announces small businesses will be able to access lower cost health insurance beginning Oct. 1

CONCORD - July 8, 2009 -- New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today announced that beginning October 1st New Hampshire HealthFirst will provide small businesses access to a quality, wellness-focused health insurance plan that may save them thousands of dollars a year.

Gov. Lynch worked to pass legislation creating New Hampshire HealthFirst to offer small businesses a more affordable health insurance option.

The New Hampshire HealthFirst will cost an average of 15 to 20 percent less than comparable insurance plans.    » read more »

Budget spends less from state tax revenues than current budget; protects essential services without a new major tax

June 30, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today signed the state’s two-year operating budget and capital budget into law.

“This is a responsible, balanced budget that reduces general fund spending, protects essential services, without an income tax, a sales tax or an increase in the gas tax, but by closing tax loopholes,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of New Hampshire’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 22, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced more than $134.5 million is now available for New Hampshire under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. New Hampshire will be eligible to apply for another $66 million this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per New Hampshire’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

June 4, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today successfully strengthened energy legislation with an amendment that would boost New Hampshire's biomass industry, increase biomass efficiency and help create jobs. Shaheen's amendment unanimously passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and will be part of the 2009 Energy Bill, scheduled to come before the full Senate later this year.    » read more »