David Hess

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill to increase heating assistance to low-income residents.

The special legislation, H.B. 1653, will allow the state to continue serving the 35,000 families that rely on heating assistance from the state by advancing $10 million from state coffers. If the federal government increases the money to gives to New Hampshire, the extra money will be used to repay the state.

"There can be no serious dispute that this appropriation at this time for this purpose," Deputy House Minority Leader David Hess (R-Hooksett) told members.

State Rep. Fran Wendleboe (R-New Hampton) has decided to run for House speaker.

"A couple of weeks ago I booked the Upham Walker House to host a coffee and donuts for Republican House members and Republican house candidates before Wednesday's session," Wendleboe wrote in a e-mail to PolitickerNH.com. "I will be announcing my candidacy for Speaker at that time."

State Rep. Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry) says he is "ecstatic" that deputy House minority leader, David Hess (R-Hooksett) endorsed his run for House Speaker.

"Obviously I'm ecstatic about it," Packard told PolitickerNH.com. "David is well respected in the House by both Democrats and Republicans. He probably knows more about education funding than anyone."

The acting state House minority leader for the better part of the year told colleagues yesterday that he will not seek the same position next year, forcing a situation that will be an all out scramble for this position and potentially for House Speaker.

State Rep. David Hess (R-Hooksett) has served as the de facto leader of his party ever since the last minority leader, Mike Whalley, died in March.

In an e-mail to Republican House members last night Hess made it clear he would not run for minority leader or Speaker if Republicans take back the majority.

This morning the Sunday morning talk shows were filled with discussions about the looming state budget deficit.

On WMUR's Close Up, the panel discussed the spending cap being purposed by the New Hampshire Advantage Coalition.

New Hampshire House Republicans have decided not to fill the position of Republican Leader.

The post has been vacant since the death of State Representative Michael Whalley, who passed away on March 1st.

The decision was made after a unanimous vote of the House Republican caucus.

The House Republican leaders gathered on Thursday to discuss the leadership void left by the death of Mike Whalley.

Whalley had been serving as House Republican leader.

According to Kevin Landrigan, possibilities include leaving the position open or elevating Deputy Leader David Hess or former House Speaker Gene Chandler.

Grant Bosse and Bob Clegg, both Republicans running for Congress in the second district, characterized themselves as experienced and prepared for the job in separate interviews this morning.

House Minority Leader Mike Whalley, who battled with a brain tumor, died yesterday multiple sources tell PolitickerNH.com.

Whalley was 54. Colleagues said he slipped on the ice this past week and it might have complicated his situation.

The proposed state education funding amendment dominated the conversation on the local Sunday shows.