So much for the Senate being the more tempered and ‘August’ body of any legislature. Ours just took one look at the surplus I discussed here and went on a spending spree.
CONCORD — It started as a routine bill to create the position of state demographer, but has turned into what some are calling “the Christmas tree,” an omnibus spending bill that doles out nearly $100 million in surplus revenues from a flush state budget.
Among the baubles hung on HB 1817 in a late-night session of the Senate on May 3: nearly $13 million for state employee pay raises; $20 million for red-listed bridges; $44 million to settle a dispute with hospitals over uncompensated care; and another $10 million for the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
The December New Hampshire labor report, period ending October 2010, is not all that remarkable. Coos County is still suffering while overall the state is hanging in at 5.4%. This number is still reflective of issues with the size of the labor force versus mid 2009 numbers. We have to watch that as we head through the November and December reports into January, where holiday hiring will add to the labor force, and then most likley drop off.