The elimination of state vehicle inspections got a surprise jump-start in the final hours of budget negotiations and proved a critical issue in getting the budget to Gov. Kelly Ayotte desk, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. Josiah Bartlett Center president Andrew Cline said the repeal became a linchpin of the agreement, winning over more libertarian-leaning House Republicans. The late addition helped break a logjam.
The repeal had appeared all but dead earlier in the session, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.
The elimination of state vehicle inspections, after appearing to be a total loss earlier this legislative session, got a surprise jump-start in the final hours of state budget negotiations this past week.
the New Hampshire Union Leader
House Majority Leader Jason Osborne said the issue resonated strongly with constituents, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn, said the issue became a powerful rallying cry.
the New Hampshire Union Leader
The change carries a firm deadline for drivers, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
The legislation will eliminate annual safety inspections for all cars and trucks as of next Jan. 31.
the New Hampshire Union Leader
A policy analyst described the repeal role in the deal, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
Andrew Cline, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, said the issue became a linchpin to the budget agreement.
the New Hampshire Union Leader
The repeal comes with a clear effective date, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
The legislation will eliminate annual safety inspections for all cars and trucks as of next Jan. 31.
the New Hampshire Union Leader
In his own words, House Majority Leader Jason Osborne framed it this way, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
People on the street weren’t asking me about funding formulas or Medicaid eligibility. It was all, ‘Hey, when are you going to get rid of these inspections?’
Jason Osborne
The repeal had appeared lost earlier in the session before re-emerging as a key piece of the final agreement, drawing support from more libertarian-leaning House Republicans. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne said constituents raised the inspection issue more than any policy detail, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
The inspection repeal helped unite factions of the caucus and gave negotiators the momentum they needed to finish the budget. Osborne said the issue had become a rallying cry among constituents who pressed lawmakers to act, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
With the inspection repeal in hand, negotiators were able to assemble the votes needed to send the budget forward, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports. With the repeal secured, leaders said the budget could finally move to the governor desk.
Read the full story at the New Hampshire Union Leader.
