Casino Gambling: Boon or Bust?

The new "New Deal" in New Hampshire? A House super committee of finance and tax experts will hold a public hearing Tuesday on Senate Bil 152, the casino gambling bill that won easy approval in the Senate last month. 

The joint committee is scheduled to open the hearing at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday in Representatives Hall, a chamber that has traditionally opposed expanded gambling.

As the bill has made its way through legislative channels to this point, Gov. Maggie Hassan (D-Exeter) at recent events around the state has touted the value of one highly regulated casino to help the state fund critical services. That her party enjoys majority control of the House of Representatives is only one narrative of this gambling debate.

House Finance Chairman Mary Jane Wallner (D-Concord), in a statement ahead of the SB 152 hearing, promised committee members would "drill down and focus on specific aspects of a very complex proposal."

House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth) also announced the Joint Committee would create three subcommittees to examine the legislation. The subcommittees and their respective chairs:

• Subcommittee on Regulations: Chairman David Huot (D-Laconia), Vice Chairman David Hess (R-Hooksett). Panel to focus on bidding process, regulations, oversight, accountability and enforcement. 
• Subcommittee on Revenue: Chairman Neal Kurk (R-Weare), Vice Chairman Steve Spratt (D-Greenville). The panel will focus on revenue issues, estimates, casino size and composition to achieve maximum value, and allocation of revenues.
• Subcommittee on Community Impact: Chairwoman Patricia Lovejoy (D-Stratham), Vice Chairwoman Sue Ford (D-Easton).  This panel will explore local and state impacts, including job creation, impact on businesses, traffic and highway maintenance, public safety and other social costs.

The Joint Committee is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., in Room 210-211 of the Legislative Office Building for presentations and to discuss the subcommittees' work.

Ed Tax Credit Program. The Senate, in its regular session on Thursday, will see House Bill 370, the bill to repeal the education tax credit program. It's coming out of committee with a 3-2 vote recommending the full Senate kill the bill. Also on the floor Thursday: House Bill 146, a bill to increase the speed limit on northern parts of I-93 to 70 mph.

Budget Work. The Senate Finance Committee resumes its budget inspection this morning at 10, in Room 103 of the Statehouse, with various agency budget presentations.

Capital Improvements. There is a hearing Tuesday on House Bill 25, the capital improvements bill. This is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Statehouse Room 103.