Is Cannabis Bill DOA in Senate?

The governor proposes and the legislature disposes. When it comes to the state budget, it's a process that can grind along as the clock ticks on toward the end of the fiscal year. Legislators control that clock, too, but that's getting ahead of ourselves: There's nearly three months until FY 2014 begins. And timing, well, is everything.

Enter the Senate. Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Morse (R–Salem) commences review of the two-year budget today, April 8, at 10 a.m. The House Finance chairs will outline their work, followed by a 1 p.m. presentation on the House-passed budget by the Office of the Legislative Budget Assistant.

Side story: The House budget does not count on proposed legalization of casino gambling, such as the $80 million licensing fee Gov. Maggie Hassan proposed in her recommended budget. Side story, Part II: Morse is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 152, the casino bill that the Senate passed 16-8.

Senate Finance is also scheduled to meet April 11 in Statehouse Room 103 for budget presentations, starting at 1 p.m. with the Department of Safety. On Friday, April 12, Senate Finance resumes budget review at 10 a.m.

Medical Marijuana. The bill to legalize cannabis for therapeutic purposes is before the Senate Health, Education and Human Services Committee for a hearing Thursday, April 11, at 1 p.m.

The other marijuana bill. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday at 9 a.m. for House Bill 621, which proposes decriminalizing possession of up to one quarter ounce of marijuana. This is in Statehouse room 100. At 10:30 a.m., the committee will hear House Bill 153, which would prohibit the designation of industrial hemp as a controlled substance.

Minimum Wage. The Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to hear the bill to institute a state minimum hourly rate on Tuesday at 2:20 p.m. This bill would establish a minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.

Tobacco tax. Will the Senate follow the House and vote to increase the state's tobacco tax? The first step is this Tuesday, when the Senate Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 659, which would raise the rate on a pack of cigarettes from $1.68 to $1.88. The hearing is at 10:15 a.m. in Room 103 of the Statehouse.