Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a proposed paint can “stewardship program” on Monday.
House Bill 451, sponsored by New London Democratic Rep. Karen Ebel, seeks to establish a collection and recycling program for paint cans, run by manufacturers. Ebel said the proposal was supported by industry and intended to reduce waste; the measure passed the House last year and cleared the Senate in January.
Ayotte announced her intent to veto it shortly after on the NH Journal podcast, comparing it to a sales tax. On Monday, she reiterated that statement.
“NO Sales Tax. Not now. NOT EVER!” she said in an email.
At a meeting of the Solid Waste Working Group after Ayotte’s initial announcement in January, Ebel rejected that characterization. The bill calls for the program to be funded through a fee assessed on paint cans.
“There is no way we would have put forward a bill that would include a sales tax,” she said.
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Molly Rains covers energy and the environment for the New Hampshire Bulletin. New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. For more, visit newhampshirebulletin.com.
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