Casino Bill Faces Long Odds in House?

Could New Hampshire be a step closer to legalizing casino gambling? Will the traditional anti-casino constituency in the House regroup and rise again and begin to dismantle Senate Bill 152? The House "super committee" reviewing the bill is eyeing numerous changes, and the big committee vote comes Wednesday. Do you like its chances?

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The House and Senate are not in session this week as policy committees shovel away at outstanding bills.  The Governor and Executive Council meet Wednesday, May 15, at 10 a.m. in council chambers at the Statehouse.

Casino: Yes or No? The Joint House Committee of Finance and Ways and Means aims to wrap up its work today and Tuesday before discussion and a vote Wednesday on Senate Bill 152, the bill to legalize casino gambling in New Hampshire. 

• Monday, 10 a.m., "Regulations" subcommittee work session, Rooms 210-211 of the Legislative Office Building.
• Tuesday, 10 a.m., "Community Impact" subcommittee work session, LOB Room 206.
• Tuesday, 10 a.m., "Regulations" subcommittee work session, LOB Rooms 210-211.
• Tuesday, 10 a.m., "Revenue" subcommittee work session, LOB Room 202.
• Wednesday, 9 a.m., Full committee work session on the bill, LOB 210-211.
• Wednesday, 1 p.m., Full committee work session and executive session (to vote on the bill), LOB 210-211.

Budget Review Continues. The Senate Finance Committee resumes budget briefings this morning at 10 with an overview of the Department of Health and Human Services. The committee will stick with DHHS through the afternoon.

Revenue Estimates. Senate Ways and Means convenes for a revenue estimates presentation Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Statehouse Room 103. At 9:45 a.m., the committee looks at House Bill 520, which would create a committee to study implementing Keno in the state.

This and That:

• Part of the drama around the casino gambling bill in the House is the history of the chamber opposing expanded gambling. But it's also about some recent history: By one estimate, around a third of the 400-member body has never voted on gambling. Speaker Norelli referenced that back in February. 
• There are 14 bills laid "on the table" in the House. They include the "drone" bill, House Bill 619, which would prohibit images of a person's residence to be taken from the air, and House Bill 420, establishing orange, red, and yellow as the state colors.
• There are 16 bills on the table in the Senate. They include Senate Bill 77, "instituting a state minimum hourly rate."

Remembrance. The 21st Annual New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is this Friday, May 17, starting at 10 a.m. adjacent to the law enforcement monument on the lawn of the Legislative Office Building, located across from the Statehouse.