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By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD — Groundhog Day may have been earlier this month, but the Senate session Thursday was much like the movie, deja vu all over again.
The Senate spent nearly an hour debating two bills that would have either eliminated or significantly changed the divisive concepts provision passed last year in the budget package.
Senators also debated a bill seeking to make the cost of the Education Freedom Account program also passed in the budget package last year more visible to property taxpayers.
And once again the Senate voted down a bill to raise the minimum wage, which is the federal minimum wage, and the lowest in New England by $5 an hour.
The Senate also approved a bill that would shield the identities of donors to many kinds of charitable organizations both for social services and political groups.
Once again the Senate unanimously approved adding adult dental benefits to the state’s Medicaid program, and sent the bill to the House.
Divisive Concepts
The Senate killed two bills that would have either repealed the divisive concepts law or removed the ability to seek civil damages against a teacher or school district.
Opponents of the new law that has received national attention, said it has put educators on edge, impacting curriculum, textbooks and teachers and teachings, while trying to whitewash the nation’s racial and gender equality history.
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