Ayotte vetoes ‘paint tax’ legislation

(The Center Square) —  New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has vetoed a controversial bill that would have set a new tax on retail paint sales to help cities and towns cover the cost of recycling.

The legislation, which had passed the Legislature with bipartisan support, would have set a mandatory surcharge on paint purchases and required manufacturers to finance a new program to collect unused paint. It was aimed at offsetting costs to local governments from recycling unused paint and cans, which must be separated from other trash and recycled materials.