Members of Monadnock Action are organizing demonstrations against SAU29's compliance with the anti-DEI push from the federal Department of Education.

Background

• April: vague letter of certification from federal Dept. of Ed with anti-DEI push

• SAU29 superintendent signed letter, instead of joining others in pushing back,

Public Education is DEI & A!!!

• Free Appropriate Public Education, 504, ADA, Civil Rights, EEO Act

• Teachers aren’t sure what is okay and not okay to teach

Our Ask

• Superintendent: rescind your compliance signature

• Join multiple NH & VT school districts to support lawsuit filed by ACLU & NEA

Upcoming Actions

• Peaceful Demonstration, Tuesday, May 20th, 7:45-9:00, Maple Avenue @ entrance to SAU driveway, positive messages on signs (pro DEI, pro-inclusion, pro-student, pro-teacher); parking: Jonathan Daniels or nearby side streets

• Attend SAU29 School Board Meeting, Tuesday, Ma Iy 20th, 6:30pm, Jonathan Daniels PD Center–C3 entrance, 227 Maple Avenue. Speak on the topic and/or show support for others who  esdd Dec are speaking.

Different school district? Please consider similar actions In your district

More background

In April, the Trump administration’s federal Department of Education sent an anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)* letter to all states’ Departments of Education, with the demand that all school districts sign as certification that they are not utilizing any DEI practices in their districts. The letter made reference to following civil rights and Equal Educational Opportunities Act laws, yet the language and intent of the letter was to obscure the actual meaning of DEI. The threat if a school district decided not to sign the letter within 10 days of receipt? Lose federal funding that helps support special education and resources for under-served populations.

This letter is a test for early compliance. It is a clear example of administrative overreach with highly questionable legality. As has been the case with so many other “Dear Colleague” letters, its language, meaning, and intention is vague and unclear. As such, several New Hampshire school districts opted not to sign, but rather are fighting back by joining a lawsuit with the ACLU and NEA (National Education Association).

As directed by the NH Department of Education, led by Frank Edelblut, Superintendent Malay of SAU29 signed this letter. In response to questions about this, Malay’s office explains that they did not want to risk losing that federal funding and that SAU29 follows the relevant laws relating to the Civil Rights Act, 504 of the ADA, and EEO. The problem, however, is that the Trump administration is working to undermine how these laws have been applied and redefine what they mean, in regards to equity and accessibility for underserved populations and those with unique needs.

The rhetoric from the current federal administration is clearly designed to have targets on many vulnerable segments of our population, such as immigrants, LGBTQI+, disability groups, and BIPOC.** Families with children and youth who are part of these populations have concerns, worries, and even fears about their children’s safety, well-being, and access to supportive resources. While some of these concerns have always existed, in the current climate, there are new and heightened concerns. Other concerns include teachers being unclear as to what they can teach or not teach and parental concerns about how this impacts information and dialogue their children and youth will have access to in school.

Now, with school districts signing this anti-DEI letter, many are left to wonder what our schools will do to protect our children’s privacy and safety when further administrative overreach is attempted. Right now, we still have courts that can try to slow and stop some of the overreach. However, there are efforts to undermine courts’ authority. What might it look like when this current government seeks to identify new Americans in our schools, children and youth who may be what Trump referred to as *unproductive,* LGBTQI+ identifying, and others they do not like? One can imagine that when deepening overreach is attempted, we may not have functioning courts. Now is the time to defend the principles of DEI & Accessibility and be clear about what our public schools mean for our society.

Public school is diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This is the charge to our public schools: provide a free appropriate public education to all students. This is what makes a strong future possible for all of us!

Monadnock Action, a local Indivisible group, took up this matter as an important local action item. We are working to raise awareness about this issue, through peaceful demonstrations on Maple Avenue with positive messaging for SAU29 to “Stand Up for DEI” and protect our students.  Our first demonstration, held on Friday, May 16th with small, but mighty, with a positive reception from the community. Our next peaceful demonstration will be Tuesday, May 20th morning from 7:45-9:00. We are encouraging members of the public to attend the school board meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at 6:30pm to participate in public comment on this issue and show support to folks who are speaking. Our ask is that SAU29 not only stand up for DEI, but also that the superintendent rescind his signature on the anti-DEI certification and join in support, along with Dover, Hanover, Oyster River, Portsmouth, and Somersworth, Norwich, VT, ACLU and NEA, to fight this letter.

* When Trump attacks DEI, he generally includes accessibility and has taken steps to obscure consistent federal guidelines regarding accessibility.

**LGBTQI+: lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersexed, asexual, 2-spirit; BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

Helpful links:

https://www.wmur.com/article/federal-judge-nh-blocks-directive-to-cut-dei-funding/64584714 

https://www.aclu-nh.org/en/cases/nea-and-nea-nh-v-us-department-education 

https://www.vermontpublic.org/2025-04-14/nh-schools-challenge-trump-dei-ban-its-not-left-versus-right-its-right-versus-wrong 

https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/see-which-states-are-telling-trump-their-schools-dont-use-illegal-dei/2025/04

The current Education Commissioner’s time is up at the end of June. The search is on for someone to replace him. Preferably this time, someone with an education background. To that end, Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill has recently presented to Gov. Ayotte three excellent possibilities, all with extensive education and leadership background. A little information about each:

Steven Chamberlin, PhD. 
Education: Springfield College; University of Mass.: Notre Dame College; University of NH.
Experience: Hollis Brookline High School, Teacher, Coach, Mathematics Co-Dept. Coordinator 1988-99
Hopkinton Middle & High School, Contoocook, Assist. Principal 199-2003
Hopkinton Middle & High School, Contoocook, Principal 2003-08
Superintendent of Schools, Hopkinton School District 2009-21
Assist. Superintendent, Interim Superintendent, Assist. Superintendent, SAU 39 2021-present

Kathleen Murphy
Education:Plymouth State College, Plymouth
Rivier College, Nashua, BS Education, MS Educational Administration 
UNH, Durham, C.A.G.S. Administration
Experience: taught at Grinnell Elementary School in Derry
Principal: West Running Brook Middle School; Gilbert H. Hood Middle School; Grinnell Elementary School; Candia Moore School 
Assist. Superintendent: Derry Cooperative School District
Instructional Supervisor: Nashua School District
Superintendent of Schools: Newmarket School District
Director Division of Instruction: 2008-11 NH Dept. of Education
NH Commissioner for Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission 2014 to Present 
Superintendent of Schools: Hampton School District, 2011-20
                                         Concord School District, 2020-present

Jennifer Chmiel Ed.D.
Education: Plymouth State University: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), 2020 
Plymouth State University: Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS), Educational Leadership 2011
Franklin Pierce College: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Concentration in Leadership 2003
Endicott College: Bachelor of Science, Psychology Concentration 1994 
Experience: SUCCESS Program Team Leader, Special Education Case Manager, MVMS 2005-08
Special Education Facilitator, MVMS 2011-12
Mountain View Middle School; Goffstown Assist. Principal, 2008-14 
Southside Middle School: Principal, 2014-18
Manchester School District: Assist. Superintendent, 2018-22
Manchester School District: Superintendent, 2022-Present

And there’s plenty more background information here, here and here.

Now for the call to action part. Send an email to GovernorAyotte@governor.nh.gov urging her to seriously consider the above educators suggested for the position. You can mention their long and extensive professional history in education; NH needs a commissioner with that kind of a background, especially a background in public education. However you want to word it. This is an issue that the governor will need to address soon, so the sooner she hears from voters, the better.

Thank you for taking a moment to again defend public education.

Exaggerate: represent (something) as being larger, better, or worse than it really is.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a safety net for children brought to America illegally, begun during the Obama administration. Trump put the brakes on it only to have Pres. Biden bring it back. Like everything else that’s good for America, DACA is now navigating the court system.

Rep. Joe “if you are in NH illegally, you are NOT welcome in NH” Sweeney R-Salem, appears to be continuing in his fruitless search for swarthy, weapons-toting immigrants who would dare to infiltrate the sanctity of New Hampshire’s higher education system, thereby placing students and staff at immediate danger while taking the place of more deserving students. 

His fanatical focus has now turned on to UNH and the number of immigrants enrolled there at the supposed expense of NH students. Unfortunately, what Rep. Sweeney fails to understand is that most students apply to more than one college so that they can have a CHOICE of which one to attend. Some applicants also just don’t make the grade and are not accepted. Not too hard to understand. 

Now we find out there are three DACA students attending Keene State College, Plymouth State University or UNH during this current (now coming to an end) spring semester. There are over 21,000 students. Where’s the threat?

Fun fact: Undocumented or illegal students do not qualify for financial aid, contrary to what Rep. Joe “take the cuffs off local law enforcement to work with ICE,” Sweeney claims. 

And speaking of ICE, Rep. Sweeney stated in a recent press release the university system’s reluctance to acknowledge this issue could lead to unintended consequences, “If USNH won’t take this seriously, then it’s time to consider 287(g) agreements between campus police and ICE to restore accountability.”

Sounds threatening . . .

Rep. Joe “should not have sanctuary in our cities, churches or schools” Sweeney had the hypocritical nerve to state, “The priorities of USNH are completely backwards. While over 2,400 Granite Staters were rejected from our public universities in recent years, USNH is publicly encouraging illegal aliens to apply and rewarding them with in-state tuition. That is a slap in the face to every hardworking family paying taxes to support these institutions.” (emphasis added)

Lest we forget, on May 8th, SB 295 came up for a vote in the House. This proposed bill removes the income cap for the hated vouchers, which means it would become a free for all at the expense of taxpayers. Earlier on line opposition to this bill was 919 to 37 who supported it. Before the vote, Rep. Joe “if you are in NH illegally, you are NOT welcome in NH” Sweeney made the motion to curtail further debate on the bill, effectively cutting off any discussion of why this is terrible legislation for the state. By a 12 vote majority, the bill passed 188-176. A speech denied and a Call to Action | DemocracyNH

Apparently, Rep. Sweeney has no qualms about slapping the faces of every hardworking family to support a program in direct violation of the NH State Constitution.

Uh-oh. Apparently, some Republican legislators here neglected to take note of the recent Dept. of Defense Signal group chat where a journalist was “accidentally” included. And soon after that the personal lawyer, wife and brother of the current Secretary of Defense were included in another one. Accidentally? Who knows.

What price security, right?

On Thurs., April 10th, the House was voting on bills and amendments pertaining to the State Budget. The Democrats introduced a floor amendment to HB 2 titled “A Better Budget.” A few examples of what was in this proposed budget alternative:
~ Reverse funding cuts to mental health services, developmental      disability support and family planning.
~ Remove voucher expansion to the wealthy, lift the local school budget cap, restore $50 million in university funding and protect Medicaid to schools.
~ Fully fund the Office of the Child Advocate, Human Rights Commission and Commission on Aging.
~ Eliminate the Medicaid income tax and tax on Children’s Health Insurance coverage.

Thankfully, there were a few wins that day for the people of NH, such as; a vote supporting an amendment to HB 2, removing the mandatory statewide school budget cap, 206-165. An amendment to restore the Bureau of Tax and Land Appeals passed by three votes, 183Y-180N. The bill increasing maximum benefits for first responders, HB 282, passed, 296Y-76N.

By mid-afternoon, a recess was requested by Republicans for their members to have a brief caucus. Seems like too many of their members were voting with the Democrats on some proposed legislation. Sure enough, barely an hour later we were all back in the chamber and the voting then went strictly according to party lines. No more wins for the people of NH.

On April 13th, there was a group chat on Signal. “There should be punishment from the Caucus for straying too often, in my opinion. Whether by revoking committee, parking spots, flogging them in the state house square, egging their house, or slashing their tires… whatever fits the crime,” wrote jaspillane68. 

A Rep. James Spillane is from Deerfield. 

The committee purge began soon after that threat. 
Rep. Mark Pearson R-Hampstead, removed as Chairman for the House Child and Family Law Committee.
Rep. Arnold Davis R-Berlin, removed as vice chair of the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee.
Rep. Mike Bordes R-Laconia, wrote in a post on social media on May 6th: “Yet again today house ‘Leadership’ stripped committee chairs, vice chairs, and members who failed to be their puppets. Such totalitarian leadership behavior is a disgusting representation of what good leadership entails. The ‘do as I say or else’ mentality is ridiculous!!” 

Also before all this recent purging, Rep. David Nagel R-Gilmanton, a doctor who served on the Health and Human Services committee, was removed by Republican leadership for refusing to vote for a bill eliminating the NH Vaccine Association, the state’s process for getting vaccines at discount. 

Who are these Republicans in the House leadership?

The House Majority Leader is Rep. Jason Osborne. Auburn
The Deputy Majority Leader is Rep. Joe Sweeney. Salem
The Adviser to the Speaker is Rep. Katy Peternel. Wolfeboro
The Majority Senior Adviser is Rep. Jim Kofalt. Wilton

All are members of the extremist group Liberty Alliance.

By the way, there are laws against threatening public officials, even if you are one.

Before getting to the “call to action” I would like to include a reminder about the school voucher program, which is a program using public money to fund private school expenses. This cannot be said enough!  Here in New Hampshire, it is run by Children's Scholarship Fund, an organization that manages and administers the voucher program. They have never had to publicly show that students who use vouchers are getting a proper education while making relevant age or grade level academic progress each year in exchange for the taxpayer money they receive. 

In addition, the NH Dept. of Education has not allowed state auditors in to access program data as required by law! What are they hiding? 

On May 8th, SB 295 came up for a vote in the House. This proposed bill removes the income cap for the hated vouchers, which means it would become a free for all at the expense of taxpayers. Earlier on line opposition to this bill was 919 to 37 who supported it. Before the vote, Rep. Joe “if you are in NH illegally, you are NOT welcome in NH” Sweeney made the motion to curtail further debate on the bill, effectively cutting off any discussion of why this is terrible legislation for the state. By a 12 vote majority, the bill passed 188-176. It is now headed to the House Finance Committee. Democrat Rep. Dick Ames was one of those who was denied the right to speak. Here is his denied floor speech:

Draft for 5/8/25 Speech by Rep. Dick Ames Against SB 295.  Prepared but Not Delivered due to passage of Majority Leader’s Motion to Limit Debate on May 8, 2025

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise to speak against SB 295, a bill that seeks to eliminate the income-based restrictions that currently limit access to New Hampshire’s state-funded school voucher program.

This move to universal eligibility will trigger a steep rise in state costs. Tens of millions, probably more than 100 million, taxpayer dollars per year will be required to fund new Education Freedom Accounts. Much of that money will then be paid out to support religious schools.

The New Hampshire Constitution provides in Article VI of its Bill of Rights that “no person shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support of the schools of any sect or denomination.” And it further provides in Part Second, Article 83 , that “no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools of institutions of any religious sect or denomination.”

These New Hampshire constitutional provisions are not honored in New Hampshire’s EFA program. Many large and small religious schools are already recipients of significant sums of taxpayer-funded EFAs. And the education provided to students at those schools is in fact significantly guided by profoundly sectarian precepts.

For example, one Christian academy where a majority of its students are supported in part by EFAs requires “as a regular part of the curriculum [that] each student will be taught Christian doctrine … based on the Bible, as the textbook authority for such instruction and learning."  And another Christian school, also with a large proportion of EFA supported students, asserts that “the Genesis account of creation is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively; … that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species.”

Some members of this body may believe that recent US Supreme Court rulings have effectively cancelled out our New Hampshire constitutional prohibitions on direct taxpayer funding of sectarian schools. But our state constitutional provisions have never been effectively challenged in court and remain as controlling law in New Hampshire.

And as we consider the continuing vitality of these foundational constitutional provisions, let us never forget that separation of church and state is essential to religious freedom because it ensures every individual can practice their chosen faith without government interference or coercion.

I also note, in closing, the breathtaking fiscal irresponsibility of this EFA expansion proposal given current fiscal realities. The budget process this year has revealed disturbing shortfalls in our ability to fund many essential needs. To take just one huge example, before going any further down this unconstitutional EFA road, we must first meet our unmet constitutional obligations to provide and fund a constitutionally adequate education to all children enrolled in our traditional public schools.

I therefore ask that you vote against the pending Ought to Pass motion on SB 295.

Now for the “Call to Action,” bills brought about by members of the extremist group, Liberty Alliance.

On Tues., May 13th, HB 356 goes for a public hearing in the Senate. The Election Law and Municipal Affairs is the committee. This bill will allow school districts to choose whether they want to enact partisan school district elections or not. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT-NH) opposes this bill. School district elections need to be and should remain non-partisan.
SUBMIT YOUR POSITION TO A SENATE COMMITTEE HERE.

· Fill in your Personal Information

· Select the correct date and committee for the hearing by clicking on it in the Meeting Schedule Calendar. Select Bill # and the date.

· In the drop box below "Select the Committee," select committee.

· In the drop box below "Choose the Bill," select the correct time and bill number.

· Select the correct option for the "I am" drop box (likely "Member of the Public").

· Fill in the content box under "I'm Representing" with the business, organization, or group you are representing. If you are representing yourself only, write "myself."

· Under the “Indicate Your Position on this Bill,” check the circle stating your position. “I Oppose this Bill” or “I Support this Bill”

· After filling in all the appropriate drop boxes, click “Submit.”

· You will then be brought to the next page, fill in the content boxes with your first and last name, your town, state, and email address.

· Press “Continue.”

· If you wish to speak during the hearing you need to attend in person at the State House, but you can upload your testimony if you cannot attend.

On Thurs., May 15th, SB 520 goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee. This is the bill authorizing the Dept. of Education commissioner to issue subpoenas and already went through the House, passing by a vote of 193-155. Another terrible bill opposed by the AFT-NH. Please submit your opposition to HB 520 by clicking here. Follow the instructions as given above. 

Thank you for your continued support of public education.

It’s been a busy few months with bills coming before the House specifically targeting fellow human beings, whether they happen to be asylum-seekers, documented, undocumented or here on student visas. First we had a “preventative” bill, HB 71 preventing schools from closing if asylum-seekers or refugees, here legally, are looking for emergency shelter. Keep in mind, this is something that has NOT happened here. Besides, according to the sponsor, schools are supposed to be SCHOOLS, especially if they receive state money, if there’s any left after the private, religious schools get their take.

SB 13 is meant to invalidate out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented refugees. People who have these out-of-state licenses, including refugees, must originally pass road test exams, have driver identification, and often have car insurance. Simply put, if you are stopped for whatever reason on a NH road and you are not of this country, your out-of-state driver’s license can be confiscated according to this legislation.

Defining requirements about issuing and renewing of nonresident refugees drivers' licenses who are in NH temporarily, was HB 452. In a nutshell, you will not be able to renew a driver's license if you are not an American citizen and can’t prove you are a lawful permanent resident of this country. The sponsors made it harder for a lot of people here under protected status or asylum seekers who have jobs or attend school to get there. 

HB 461 required all printed and digitally available driver's license exam-related materials, including the exam itself, be available and given in English only. Luckily, the Senate’s Transportation Committee voted this mean bill as “Inexpedient to Legislate.”

HB 511 is one of many bills that is intended to strip local control away. This one will prohibit state and local government from endorsing sanctuary policies to prohibit or obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration law (ICE). This was a bill sponsored by Rep. Joe Sweeney, R-Salem, who feels the need to constantly remind the House, “if you are in NH illegally, you are NOT welcome in NH,” or “take the cuffs off local law enforcement to work with ICE,” or “should not have sanctuary in our cities, churches or schools.” 

These bills have come from members of Liberty Alliance, one of multiple extremist groups in the state and have already been voted on.

Yesterday we voted on (among other bills) SB 62, a bill that removes the power of local towns and counties to have any say in how taxpayer funded law enforcement resources are used to support ICE efforts. Law enforcement agencies who enter into arrangements with ICE receive training with all operational charges placed on the shoulders of taxpayers in the towns or communities signing on to the arrangement. There is nothing in the bill which gives town/city officials the chance to decide if this is something they want in their community. More chipping away at local control. 

But before we could vote on the bill, Rep. “if you are in NH illegally, you are NOT welcome in NH,” Sweeney (yes, he had to say this again) had a floor amendment to shove down everyone’s throats. The amendment would hurt taxpayers. . . again, while taking away more local control. . .again.

“Any local governmental entity that violates this chapter may be subject to action by the attorney general, who may file suit against a local governmental entity in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of this chapter. Relief for violations of this chapter shall be determined by the court and may include injunctive relief and punitive damages. Punitive damages may include a fine of up to 25 percent of the total state funds received by the local government entity in the fiscal year when the violation occurred. Any fines collected for violations of this chapter shall be lapsed to the general fund of the state of New Hampshire.”

The amendment and the bill as amended passed, I am sorry to say.

Their collective hatred towards those who come here seeking safety, asylum and a better life for themselves and their families, much like many of our own ancestors did, truly is quite palpable.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” 
Matthew 25:25-36

Whoever thought this would be something needed here, in the United States? Yet, here we are again, in the Regime, Part II.

Let’s take a moment and look at an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence’s grievances against King George III. Remind you of anyone?

• He has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners;
• For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world
• For imposing taxes on us without our consent
• For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury
• For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal D-Washington, has organized “The Resistance Lab” which is a grassroots series of training. These  trainings have been developed specifically for moments such as where we find ourselves now. The organizers looked at how non-violent movements around the world have responded to leaders who seize power in authoritarian ways and the most effective tools and tactics to utilize in these moments. Frameworks are offered to help understand this moment here in this country while incorporating interactive conversation with others to help create community and build our own resistance movement. 

The Resistance Lab was developed with experts who have researched and studied democratic backsliding around the world as well as in the United States and the non-violent movements that have emerged to challenge those authoritarian leaders. They draw from various toolkits for effective tactics and frameworks as well as from Pramila’s own background, leading successful organizing movements for economic and social justice for two decades. 

The goals are: helping people to understand how democracies fall and the most effective resistance movements that have challenged authoritarians and dictators; turning anger, fear and frustration into action in the short-term while also preparing for a coordinated resistance movement for the longer term; and to build community across the country that can help grow this movement. People need to be strike-ready and street-ready to make sure we protect our fellow citizens, our freedoms and importantly, our democracy. 

With the so-called “President” and his MAGA billionaires doubling down on their attacks on the economic livelihoods of people and on our democracy, we can’t afford to sit this moment out. This is about building real power together. And it starts with all of us. 

If you are interested in learning more there is an upcoming ZOOM training to be held on Sunday, June 1st from 2-4. To sign up click on this link: 
The Resistance Lab — Pramila for Congress 

The one thing the government fears is the day we stand together! 
Let’s be ready for it. I’m signed up!

While this is a “call to action” it is also a timely reminder the legislature is ready and eager to expand vouchers for the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us. Additionally, the budget just passed  by the House makes cuts to programs and healthcare for citizens all across New Hampshire.

On Tuesday, May 6th, the Senate Finance Committee will be holding their only public hearing on the budget. The hearing is anticipated to go into the evening so if you work during the day and want to personally express your opinion at the State House you should be able to do so. This budget is critical and from a public education standpoint, it fails again to have the state fulfill its constitutional duty to public school students to adequately fund public education in NH. Instead, they included another increase to the unaudited, unaccountable, unproven and wasteful school voucher program for families who have no need of public funding for private, religious schools.

But there’s more . . .

There are Medicaid cuts, increased costs for CHIP (Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program) which means higher healthcare costs for all of us, while worsening health outcomes across NH. This budget also cuts the Office of the Child Advocate, responsible for protecting children across the state.

This budget makes destructive cuts to the University System of NH, which already receives the least funding of any in the country. If we want the next generation to stay in NH we need a robust University System. They are important to the whole state. 

Tell the Senate Finance Committee this budget is a failure and they must fund our universities and public schools and protect kids! Tell them to oppose the budget as drafted by the House. We can all let them know, through submitted opposition, this budget hurts NH families and they need to do better!

Please click here to submit your opposition to the budget. You will need to go to Tues., May 6th, Senate Finance Committee and register your opposition to HB 2. This is a critical time in the budget approval process and the Finance Committee needs to hear from thousands of NH voters!

Thank you for participating in this very important issue which affects us all.

Not content to eliminate the Office of the Child Advocate, or vote to repeal the New Hampshire Vaccine Association or vote to add an income tax (premium) to low-income families who use Medicaid, several House Republicans along with a single Democrat, (Jonah Wheeler D-Peterborough), sponsored HB 357. This bill was meant to phase out the required childhood vaccinations for chicken pox, Hepatitis B and influenza type B. It also removed the Commissioner of health and Human Services’ authority to establish rules requiring immunization for additional childhood diseases. At the end of March the bill passed the House, 195-174 and then went on to the State Senate.

Where it died in their Committee on Health and Human Services. According to the committee, they felt it best to NOT move forward with this legislation due to the potential unintended consequences of this bill. This was on Thursday, April 24th.

On Tuesday, April 29th, not to be over ridden by members of the Senate, Rep. Matt Drew R-Manchester, added an amendment to a Senate bill which was coming up for a vote in the House in two days. The wording in the amendment was the exact same wording from HB 357, the bill previously passed by the House, but then killed in the Senate.

On Thursday, May 1st, the House was in session to vote on a dozen bills, one being SB 60, a bill having to do with advanced deposit wagering on pari-mutuel betting on horse racing. Hastily attached to this bill, while having NOTHING to do with it at all was a floor amendment, which was basically HB 357. 

A vote was taken to decide as to whether or not the amendment would be added and by eleven votes in favor of, the wording was added to SB 60, where it went on to pass as amended by a voice vote. End result? HB 357, as an amendment to a horse betting bill, got passed again. Those required vaccines will come to an end in June, 2026. Perhaps, NH can then become the chicken pox capital of America, like Texas who has the measles.

Don’t ever let a Republican tell you they care about the health and well-being of children. Their votes prove otherwise . . .

In the interest of trying to find revenue for highway projects, two State Senators, David Watters, D-Dover and Mark McConkey, R-Freedom, reached out to Gov. Kelly Ayotte with the suggestion of raising the price of tolls. They noted that the increase would mostly affect out-of-state drivers, and now that the United States has become “persona non grata” with Canada, well, there won’t be any Canadian tourists.

But, I digress . . .

There are two big highway construction projects under way, on Interstate 293 in Manchester, new exits 6 and 7 along with the expansion of Interstate 93 through Bow and Concord. Two projects which may not see completion as more revenue is needed. All toll revenue from the New Hampshire turnpikes gets reinvested into the maintenance and upkeep of said turnpikes and according to Sen. Watters these current projects are already part of a years-long highway plan. 

What to do?

The two Senators reached out to the governor with a request to raise the tolls and a reminder that such a raise has not taken place  since 2009, almost 16 years now. In the meantime, like everything else, the costs of highway construction has risen. The governor’s office responded (to WMUR) with a resounding, "NO. The governor does not support increasing tolls."

We’ll see how the Executive Council feels, but with a 4-1 Republican majority. . .

What the governor does support, however, is a full-blown embrace of the “education freedom accounts” otherwise known as the hated school vouchers, as she and the majority party continue to defy Articles 6 and 83 of the NH Constitution, taking more and more public money to support private, religious schools.

How much more can the average property taxpayer take while the majority party cuts and dismantles organizations and programs specifically meant to help those who are children, disadvantaged, elderly and vulnerable, in their quest to destroy the public school system?

In the meantime, what about those construction projects?