A RAW DEAL FOR THE GRANITE STATE

New tax cuts for the rich and chaos at the Federal level have combined to put the State of New Hampshire in a difficult financial situation. 

In February, Governor Kelly Ayotte proposed a $16.5 billion two-year budget. Republicans in the legislature are trying to cut $800 million from that amount, mostly by targeting programs they don’t like. 

Their proposals will starve funding from vital state programs, forcing towns and cities to raise property taxes to make up the difference.

How did we get here?

Years and of tax cuts, benefiting the wealthy and big corporations, have created a situation where the State just isn’t bringing in enough money. Adjusted for inflation, the State is bringing in less revenue than it was in 2007 – and the state population has grown since then!

One big blow to revenue was the recent repeal of the interest and dividends tax. This tax brought in $180 million per year, primarily from the wealthy; in 2022, over 90% of the interest and dividends tax was paid by taxpayers making $20,000 or more in *unearned* income.

This is on top of cuts to the business profits tax – primarily paid by large corporations – that have cost the State around $1 billion in revenue since 2016.

There have been other budget shocks as well – $80 million in allocated funds for Health and Human Services were recently clawed back by the Trump Administration, forcing cancelation of existing state contracts.

Additionally, the $76 million a year required to pay for Sununu Center abuse-related settlements was not included in this budget.

Why is this budget bad for NH?

The Republican budget includes the following proposals harming education and arts:

• A $60+ million cut in funding to the University System of New Hampshire, a $4 million cut to the community college system, and a $1.6 million cut to adult education.
• New state-imposed budget caps for every school district – this is taking away local control. The majority party in Concord will dictate how much schools can spend and what they teach
• Dissolution of the NH State Council on the Arts, cutting off grant funding to arts institutions across the state
• Closure of the state library (fortunately, due to aggressive lobbying, this proposal has been beaten back – don’t mess with librarians)
• But they will spend an extra $100 million on expansion of “Education Freedom Accounts,” enabling wealthy families to send their kids to private schools on the public dime

Republicans propose the following measures that hurt the most vulnerable:

• NEW MEDICAID TAX requiring low-income Granite Staters to pay 5% of their income in order to maintain health care coverage through Medicaid
• Elimination of the Office of the Child Advocate – an office dedicated to uncovering abuse and protecting vulnerable children
• Elimination of the New Hampshire Commission on Aging (NH has the second oldest population in the country)
• Cancelation of the Women, Infants and Children Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, a hunger-relief initiative – slated to start this summer - that would have helped low-income families buy fresh produce at farmers markets
• A late addition to the budget banning “DEI” – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion –  in NH Contracts, defunding public schools that maintain policies identified as DEI

Hands off our resources!

Because they have already cut revenue so much, Republicans are grabbing money for the budget that’s already been designated for other purposes.

The Rainy Day fund is being drawn down by $149 million. That’s over half the money that’s currently in the fund, being used to make up for the loss of the interest and dividends tax – not an actual rainy day. 

They are co-opting $34.9 million from the opioid settlement fund, designated for recovery and harm-reduction efforts, & using it to backfill other reallocated funds.

They are taking another $11 million from cities and towns by claiming a larger share of the rooms and meals tax. This is on top of the regular short-changing the State’s been doing to municipal budgets since the tax was introduced years ago.

They are reallocating charitable gaming revenue, reducing a funding source used by nonprofit organizations and claiming it for the state budget.

They are defunding the housing champions program, which had just been set up to help municipalities address the housing affordability crisis in NH.  

Call Governor Kelly Ayotte and tell her to reign in the fanatical Republicans who are sabotaging our state institutions like a common Elon Musk. 

Gov. Ayotte’s office phone number is: (603) 271-2121

Join the rally at the State House in Concord: Wednesday April 9 at 12PM

Spread awareness – share this information with people you know. 

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More resources:

This blog post as a pdf, printable into a 3-fold pamphlet.

The Budget: https://gc.nh.gov/LBA/Budget/fy2026_2027_budget.aspx

Terri O'Rorke writes about the budget

NH Fiscal Policy Institute (comprehensive data and articles breaking down all things NH fiscal policy): https://nhfpi.org/

NH Democratic Party Budget Tool (see real time examples of how this budget will impact a regular NH residents): https://nhbudget.nhdp.org/

The long-awaited House Budget has reared its ugly head and it is ugly indeed.
Let’s start with the jobs targeted to be eliminated:
-Dept. of Business & Economic Affairs – 14 positions
-Dept. of Corrections – 190 positions
-Dept. of Education – 27 positions
-Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources – 8 positions
-Dept. of Safety – 8 positions
-Insurance Department – 3 positions
-Liquor Commission – 34 positions
-Secretary of State’s Office – 5 positions

What else has the House Finance Committee slated for the chopping block? Here we go:
-The Office of the Child Advocate, the agency that monitors the Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
-The State Council on the Arts, provides grants to local arts programs. 
-Eliminate the Human Rights Commission which is an independent agency. They hear civil rights and discrimination complaints and make recommendations to the Atty. Gen.’s Office for prosecution.
-Eliminate the Housing Appeals Board.
-Eliminate funding for family planning, which is so much more than that. Funds go to health centers to test for cancers, sexually transmitted infections and other health care.
-Cut funding to the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program.
-Cut $1.6 million to fund Adult Education.
-Eliminate the Commission on Aging (only the Republicans would target women, children and old people. Shameful!)
-Heavy cuts to Tourism Development Fund.
-Eliminate the State Loan Repayment Program.
-An increase to Medicaid prescriptions and initiating Medicaid and CHIP (Catastrophic Health Insurance Program) premiums.

Now for the good news! (eye roll . . .)

Republicans slipped into the budget the following two controversial bills; HB 675 takes away local voter control from spending money on their schools (attacks public schools and local control). HB 115 expands the school voucher program so now there will be no income cap by 2026. This is an unaudited, non-transparent free-for-all with property tax money, while taking away from public schools again.

Both House budget bills HB 1 and HB 2 have been toiled over in the House Finance Committee for quite a few weeks and will come before the full House on April 10 for a vote before moving on to the state Senate. Committee chairman and member of Liberty Alliance Rep. Ken Weyler, R-Kingston stated it was a difficult budget. “The economy that has happened in the last few years has been terrible. (There has) been … mismanagement caused by the decisions in Washington, D.C., that have affected us all, and it has lowered the amount of revenue we expected. Obviously, that’s a reason that we have to cut the budget, because the revenue just isn’t there.” Two things need to be mentioned here, both Pres. Obama and Biden left great economies, the opposite of terrible. And it’s good to see Rep. Weyler acknowledge the mismanagement “caused by the decisions in Washington, DC.” 

Such a dark and dreary state the Republicans want us to live in.

On Wed., April 9th at the State House in Concord at noon there will be a rally to #DemandABetterBudget! You can sign up at:
tinyurl.com/NHBetterBudget 
Come join us if you are able. 

Just last month Rep. Fred Doucette, R-Salem, member of the extremist group Liberty Alliance, resigned from his seat in the State House to take a position as the Region 1 administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Boston. Wait, isn’t FEMA on the federal chopping block, too?

I digress. . .

With this open seat in the House and nearly a year and a half to the next election in 2026, one would expect a special election to be held to fill it. Doucette held that seat for six terms. So why did the Salem Council Republicans, fellow Liberty Alliance member Rep. Joe Sweeney among them, vote to leave that seat open for more than a year? This leaves Salem folks with no representation in Concord. Brings to mind the phrase, “Taxation without representation.” 

But we’ve seen this dishonorable move before. Harken back to Pres. Obama, an open seat on the Supreme Court and Mitch McConnell. 

What could they possibly be afraid of? 

Well, we continue to shine a light on the terrible bills being passed by, yes, the Republican majority in Concord. Bills that suppress votes, slowly destroy local control and public education. We continue to let our voices be heard in person, by emails or by contacting them online. It is working! And we can’t let up or slow down now. We have a year and a half to continue to hold their feet to a fire that is heating up, get some great candidates on board and show the oppressive majority the door in 2026!

Then the real work begins, cleaning up their damage! Together, we can do this! 

There are four bills coming before the State Senate that have to do with libraries. All are a form of intimidation and/or book banning. This overreach is dangerous, threatening intellectual freedom and chips away again at local control. Unfortunately, they have already passed in the House and are now in the hands of the Senate. 
The bills are:

HB 666: (yes, really!) Relative to Fines for Violations of Library Use Record Confidentiality.
This bill introduces terrible measures jeopardizing library workers:

• Lack of Due Process: The bill lacks a fair process for verifying alleged violations, leaving workers at risk of false accusations.
• Unjustified Personal Liability: Requiring workers to pay fines and give notarized apologies directly to complainants creates a hostile environment and exposes them to harassment.
• Potential for Abuse: Opens the door for senseless lawsuits.

HB 273: Relative to Parental Access to Minor Child’s Library Records
This bill looks for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist:

• Parental Access: Parents already have full access to their children's library records through shared library cards.
• Verification Challenges: The bill fails to address the practical difficulties of verifying guardianship and navigating complex family situations (e.g., separated parents).
• Lack of Procedural Clarity: The bill lacks clear instructions for requesting and providing records, which could lead to confusion and legal challenges.

HB 340: Relative to Electioneering by Public Employees
This bill seriously restricts the ability of libraries and educational institutions to provide crucial information:

• Overly Broad Definition of "Electioneering": The bill's definition encompasses neutral activities such as hosting candidate forums and conducting public surveys, which are crucial for informed civic participation.
• Suppression of Public Information: This bill would prevent libraries and universities from fulfilling their mission of providing unbiased information to the public.
• Impact on Research and Civic Engagement: This bill inhibits crucial research and student participation in the democratic process.

HB 324: Relative to Prohibiting Obscene or Harmful Sexual Materials in Schools
This is such an overall flawed bill:

• Vague and Subjective Definitions: The terms "harmful," "age-inappropriate," and "offensive" lack clear, impartial standards. This vagueness will lead to wanton censorship.
• Erosion of Local Control: The bill disregards local control by granting the state Board of Education final authority on appeals, removing important community input.
• Encourages Harassment: The $1,000 reward for complaints encourages petty challenges and harassment of school officials, reallocating resources from education. Also removes the requirement for parents to work directly with teachers.

State Senators to email (can be done in one email): david.rochefort@gc.nh.gov; Timothy.Lang@gc.nh.gov; mark.mcconkey@gc.nh.gov; David.Watters@gc.nh.gov; Suzanne.Prentiss@gc.nh.gov; James.Gray@gc.nh.gov; Daniel.Innis@gc.nh.gov; Ruth.Ward@gc.nh.gov; Denise.Ricciardi@gc.nh.gov; Donovan.Fenton@gc.nh.gov; Tim.McGough@gc.nh.gov; Kevin.Avard@gc.nh.gov; Cindy.Rosenwald@gc.nh.gov; Sharon.Carson@gc.nh.gov; Tara.Reardon@gc.nh.gov; Keith.Murphy@gc.nh.gov; Howard.Pearl@gc.nh.gov; victoria.sullivan@gc.nh.gov; Regina.Birdsell@gc.nh.gov; pat.long@gc.nh.gov; Rebecca.PerkinsKwoka@gc.nh.gov; Daryl.Abbas@gc.nh.gov; William.Gannon@gc.nh.gov; Debra.Altschiller@gc.nh.gov

Suggested content for email (personalizing is recommended): “I urge you to vote against the following bills that pose a significant threat to information access, library workers, and local parental rights in our state: HB 324, HB 666, HB 273, and HB 340.”

Thank you for taking a moment to defend libraries, librarians and parents. And once again, democracy!

As the Trump regime gleefully slashes and burns everything in sight, in large part with no forethought or concern about consequences, the latest agency to come under attack is The Institute of Museum and Library Services. This agency, which began in 1996, provides grants to advance, support, and empower museums, libraries and similar institutions across the United States. The staff was summarily dismissed on Monday. 

Now, libraries across New Hampshire are trying to prepare for potential funding cuts from both state and federal governments. The state’s funding from the federal government gets administered to NH’s more than 200 libraries through the State Library. Recall how just recently Liberty Alliance member Rep. Joe Sweeney, R-Salem, attempted to defund the State Library as a way to cut down on the proposed state budget. That didn’t go over well and Sweeney backed down. 

Fun fact: NH’s State Library is the first to be established in the country, they support library lending programs, manage an assortment of other programs and research databases, including those that archive historical records and government documents. Additionally, there is the Talking Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program, a Downloadable Books consortium and technology training. Last year the state Library received $1.5 million from the IMLS grant program.

We are once again being called to action to support and protect the mission of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in its funding of state libraries. Click here to sign an online petition to elected officials urging them to do just that. 

Don’t let federal or state extremists take away our right to learn! Speak up, speak out! Hands Off!

Dear Cheshire County Democrat,

I am running for re-election as the Chair of the Cheshire County Democrats, and I am asking for your vote. I am being contested by Jim Tetreault from Winchester. The caucus is on 4/1, Tuesday at 6:30 PM, by Zoom only, but you must register to receive the link from NHDP (they also need to verify you are registered as a Democrat). Every registered Democrat in the county can vote.

I am seeking re-election because the work of building from the ground up is not done in Cheshire County. Now more than ever, we need to continue our outreach, protest the unfair and unethical policies of the current administration, recruit volunteers and candidates who will help us win in 2026 and beyond.

Accomplishments

Four years ago, I ran for the first time with the goal of empowering the grassroots volunteers in Cheshire County and initiating and revitalizing town committees to help our candidates in state elections. With your support, I have been able to establish new or re-activate defunct committees in 8 towns across the county, Walpole being the most recent this past Friday.

I am thankful for the extraordinary partnership with the Democratic Candidates and Democrat Town Chairs in Cheshire County. With our collective hard work, we minimized the damage of the red wave that occurred in the 2024 election. We were able to train and retain a 30+ volunteer canvassing team that focused on challenging districts, working in parallel with the Organize NH team. Steve Marchand’s analysis showed our effort helped us perform above average in those districts, helping us win those seats.

I have worked hard to bring Democrats together in Cheshire County over the last 4 years. Together, we are determined to navigate this challenging time, organizing from the grassroots upward. In that spirit, we had a summit with town chairs and all candidates in the county at the end of February, and generated ideas that we plan to execute in the coming days. I would like to have the county committee continue with the partnerships with the town committees, empowering and helping the local effort in every possible way.

Political Philosophy

In short, I believe in working with the true spirit of democracy, expanding the party, and bringing people of diverse opinions and backgrounds united with the purpose of the common good. In my 4 years as the County Chair, I have succeeded in making positive changes with the support of Democrats across the county. I will take the same spirit of inclusivity and motivated outreach to the rules committee. I seek your support and vote in this endeavor.

Democratic Party Roles

• Chair, Cheshire County Democrats (2021 - present):
  • Established new or activated defunct committees in 8 towns across the county.
  • Introduced the annual volunteer appreciation BBQ, inviting all county volunteers helping Democrats.
  • Expanded outreach efforts by initiating listening sessions with traditionally distant demographic groups for Democrats, such as farmers.
  • Trained 60+ volunteers with the principles of Dirt Road Revival, resulting in a 30+ dedicated team of volunteers who participated in targeted canvassing and GOTV efforts.
  • Popularized the Common Good Principles as the guiding principle among candidates and Democrats.
• Vice Chair, Cheshire County Democrats (2016 - 2019): Served as the grassroots/progressive liaison across the county to build connections among Democrats.
• Fundraiser - Obama Campaign, Dayton, OHIO (2012)
• Door-to-door canvasser (2008 - present)
• NH AAPI Caucus member

Endorsements from Elected Democrats and Grassroots:

Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky (2017-2020, 2nd Dist.): "Mohammad Saleh is my choice for the Chair's position in Cheshire County Democrats Committee because he is a committed, levelheaded leader who thinks about messaging and how to help his candidates achieve success."

Hon. Joe Schapiro (Rep. 2019-2024, CH16): "I wholeheartedly endorse Mohammad Saleh in his run for his re-election to the Chair's position in Cheshire County Democrats Committee. During his three years as vice chair of the Cheshire County Democratic Committee he was a persistent voice for increased transparency, new ideas, and expanded membership. Since being elected Chair four years ago he has successfully expanded the mission and voice of the Committee among local Democrats. Mohammad is a scientist, a humanitarian, and a tireless worker devoted to the expansion of Democratic ideals."

Allen Davis (Dublin Activist, Town Chair): "I am honored to endorse Mohammad Saleh for the re-election to the Chair's position in Cheshire County Democrats Committee. Mohammad has been an exceptional Chair of the Cheshire County Democratic Party. His achievements include: recruiting excellent candidates for State Representative, creating numerous new and active Town Committees, supporting Town Chairs with solid ideas to expand the reach and size of their committees, and being available at all hours, by phone, email, or text, to answer questions and solve problems. Mohammad worked with me to revive the dormant Dublin Democratic Town Committee in January 2023. Today, Dublin has about 15-20 people that come to our monthly meetings and our work helped Dick Ames get re-elected in the state house."

Work Experience/Affiliations

• Electro-optical Engineer (20+ Years): Education and professional experience
• Project Home New Hampshire (2019 - present): Founding Board Member, 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
• Keene Human Rights Committee (2018 - present): Formerly MLK and Jonathan Daniel Committee
• Monadnock Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Coalition (2021 - present): Steering Committee Member
• Monadnock Interfaith Project (2023 - present): Representing Muslim Community in Local Interfaith Dialog

Profile & Biography / Writing / Event Host / Award

• Keene Sentinel (Profile & Biography): Keene's Mohammad Saleh gives back by getting involved
• Granite Post (Profile): America gives hope to the whole world
• Keene Sentinel (Event Host): Keene celebrates ICE release
• Ledger Transcript (My Writing): On the Spirit of Sacrifice for Social Change
• WMUR (Event Host): Faith in Humanity - Thanksgiving Event Promotes Coexistence
• Micah Award: Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP) Micah Award - Exemplifying Personal Sacrifice

The caucus will be conducted online via a Zoom meeting, moderated by the state party. To receive the Zoom link for the meeting, please use this link to sign up. If you have more than one person in your household, each person must register separately (NHDP needs to validate that the individual is a Democrat) and login from different computers (or phone) so that vote count can happen properly.

Thank you for your support!

— Mohammad

On April 5, 2025, people across New Hampshire will take part in protests as part of the Hands Off! National Day of Action, a nationwide movement to stand against those who seek to undermine democracy, our future, and our rights.

These events are coordinated through a national collation of organizations, including Third Act, Indivisible, MoveOn, 50501 and other groups, this day of action calls on people across the country to take to the streets with a clear message of opposition to the Trump/Musk Administration: Hands off!

Locations and details of protests in New Hampshire:

• Colebrook: Colebrook Library, 149 Main Street, 10 AM to 12 PM
• Concord: In front of the State House from 12 PM to 5 PM. Parking is recommended in municipal garages.
• Conway: Four Corners - the intersection of NH Routes 16 and 113 - from 12 PM to 2 PM
• Dover: In front of Tucker's from 2 PM to 3 PM.
• Enfield: U.S. 4 & Main Street from 10 AM to 11 AM.
• Hanover: (Hanover Seniors Fight Back) The Greens Condominiums, 53 Lyme Rd, next to Hanover Terrace Rehabilitation from 9 AM to 12 PM
• Hanover: Hanover Town Hall from 2 PM to 4 PM.
• Keene: Central Square from 12 PM to 2 PM. Smaller protests are also held every Saturday.
• Littleton, Noon to 3 pm, 134 Main Street, Littleton Post Office
• Nashua: At the five-way intersection at the top of Main Street from 12 PM to 2 PM.
• New London: On the Town Green from 1 PM to 3 PM.
• Peterborough:  At 101 and 202 from 1 to 2:30 Please park at community center or Public Parking in Peterborough before you try the Rite Aid lot (please park much further down rather than RITE AID parking spaces).
• Plaistow, 1 to 2 PM, 145 Main St.
• Portsmouth Tesla Takedown: On the public sidewalk at 2454 Lafayette Road from 10 AM to 1 PM. Parking is advised on Constitution Avenue, not the private lot.
• Portsmouth, Noon to 2 PM, Market Square.
• Wolfeboro: Pickering Corner - 136 S Main Street from 12 PM to 2 PM.

More information on each of these events can be found via the Mobilize.US website.

These protests are an opportunity to come together, share your voice, and demonstrate the power of collective action. Whether you're a seasoned activist or new to the scene, your presence matters. Come out on April 5 and be a part of the movement.

Another two days at the State House this past week was spent futilely trying to preserve such concepts as local control or fight the permitting of issuing subpoenas by the Dept. of Education. That bill passed, by the way, 193-155. And now on to a few others. . .

HB 549 was meant to prohibit the use of “education freedom account” funds, better known as school vouchers, at religious schools or for religious education or training. The bill would also repeal provisions relating to independence of and legal proceedings concerning school voucher providers. This legislation was introduced by Democrat Reps. Timothy Horrigan and Allan Howland of Durham and Suzanne Vail, Nashua. Lest we forget, “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” according to the NH Constitution. On Wed., Liberty Alliance member Rep. Rick Ladd, R-Haverhill, made the motion to “Indefinitely Postpone” this bill. Naturally the motion passed, 186-156, which means the bill won’t be seen again until maybe next year. In the meantime, taxpayers keep paying for a program that is in direct violation of the NH Constitution.

HB 361 seeks to do away with mandatory mask policies in schools. Brought forth by 11 Republicans, some with ties to Young Americans for Liberty (YAL), this bill will “prohibit school boards and other public education agencies from adopting, enforcing, or implementing a policy that requires students or members of the public to wear a facial covering.” The bill passed, 203-164. Another example of chipping away at local control while taking a step closer to becoming a “police state.”

HB 487 was legislation sponsored by Rep. Erica de Vries, D-Hampton, and would give “advance notice of work schedules for workers, particularly those with either child care or caregiving responsibilities, is critically important to managing child care and caregiving schedules and to minimizing working family costs, including mandatory child care cancellation costs as well as medical and in-home appointment costs. The general court further finds that such notice enhances the ability of employees to pick up shifts or other work when they are not scheduled in order to maximize the value of their time.” Who wouldn’t want to know what their work schedule was a little in advance so as to plan accordingly? Not a big ask. The majority party voted 196-155 against, thus killing the bill. So much for helping the average worker. . .

HB 324 was a great way to end a long day, NOT! This legislation is meant to “prohibit obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools.” Proposed by a dozen members of the above mentioned extremist groups, this was just another effort at banning books, this time in school libraries. While it’s already illegal to give this type of material to minors, schools currently have steps in place to address complaints. Also, the majority party screams all the time about “parental rights” but this bill oversteps their rights to decide as to what their own child can or cannot read. Also included in the bill, is a section for anyone who claims to be “aggrieved,” which opens the door for potential abuse.

189:81 Enforcement and Penalties. II.Any petitioner, if successful, shall be awarded special or general damages of not less than $1,000 for each violation, and costs and reasonable legal fees. Such damages, costs, and fees shall be in addition to equitable relief awarded. 

Online opposition to the bill was 1,355 with only 47 people supporting it. Liberty Alliance member Rep. Glenn Cordelli, R-Tuftonboro, got up to speak in support of the bill. He mentioned we should be concentrating on academics and knowledge instead of sexualizing children. But wait! Isn’t this the same group who wanted to cut required educational programs at public schools such as music, art, computer science and other subjects just barely a month ago? Luckily, HB 283 didn’t pass. But HB 324 did pass. 183-148, despite the opposition by more than a thousand people.

Cordelli spoke and was interrupted a few times. He knew the passages he was reading from were inappropriate and bothersome for some of the members in the House. At the end of a very long day, we were a captive audience subjected to “erotic bedtime stories” told by a horny, old pervert who gleefully continued despite the sounds of disgust emanating throughout the hallowed chamber of Representatives Hall.

And the Speaker allowed it.

That’s right! They’re at it again. Last week it was a slap in the face for protections for transgender people. This time the extremists are targeting the rights of immigrants to hold a driver’s license here in New Hampshire. Naturally, this mean-spirited bill is sponsored by Liberty Alliance members in both the House and the Senate.

HB452-FN is an act “relative to the issuance of drivers' licenses for aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.”

Should this bill pass, it would deny people without green cards, known as “permanent resident status,” the right to apply for or to renew a driver’s license. Currently, anyone with employment authorization and a Social Security number can apply for a license. This allows for asylum seekers, here legally, to drive and work during the waiting period for their asylum hearings and an eventual green card. These waiting periods can sometimes go on for years and many of these folks would be in danger of losing the right to drive.  

For example, a wonderful man named Luis has been here in NH with his wife and 3 children since before COVID. Luis drives from Keene to Peterborough every day working in a factory that makes fire hoses. He is greatly valued by his employer. If Luis is unable to renew his license, he’ll have to make the devastating choice of driving illegally to work in Peterborough, or stop working altogether.

This terrible bill hurts not only hardworking immigrants who have followed all the rules, but the businesses who depend on them! And there are businesses who are happy to give legal immigrants an opportunity to work, supporting themselves and their families. This proposed legislation makes it impossible for many immigrant folks to work here and drive here legally, enabling them to live here and pay taxes. There are a few exceptions and that would be for people living here “on a temporary basis” who have student or special work visas.  Asylum seekers are specifically targeted by HB 452. 

While there is no hearing scheduled yet for this bill, which is still in the Senate Transportation Committee, you can take action and Email Entire Committee. Let them know of your opposition to this discriminatory and mean-spirited bill which targets legal asylum seekers. Also contact Gov. Ayotte by clicking here or call (603) 271-2121.

Project Home is a wonderful organization that helps place families, couples or even a single asylum seeker in host homes around the Monadnock Region. I, myself, have assisted (whenever I could) in driving when needed. Like other organizations, donations are always needed and welcomed. If you can, please click here to donate online or find where to send a check. 

 

“I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.”     George Washington

 

“Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life.”            John F. Kennedy

We would do well to remember the words of these two great presidents as we continue in our defense of democracy for ourselves and others who come here seeking it!

Thursday, March, 20th, was a rough day for a lot of us. However, it began like many other Thursday’s... early. A caucus with colleagues about upcoming bills we would be voting on later in the day, with questions asked about some bills and then answered. One in particular was HB 148, a bill that would allow “classification of individuals based on their biological sex in bathroom facilities and locker rooms, sporting competitions, and detention facilities.” More on that later...

Before heading to Representatives Hall, the Democrat caucus walked as a group outside to the front of the State House where we greeted dozens of people in opposition to this proposed legislation. Many were holding signs, chanting and thanking us as we walked through the crowd, making our way to the entrance into the State House. It was a profound moment, one that brought tears to a lot of us as we walked inside. 

Now, back to the bill which was sponsored by 14 Republicans, most with ties to the extremist groups Liberty Alliance and Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). This bill is meant to roll back the protections for transgender people that were enacted in 2018 by RSA 354-A, “Law Against Discrimination.” This bill prohibits them from competitions and/or facilities that don’t line up with their biological birth gender. It also allows for discrimination and abuse to a very small percentage of people in NH. Fun fact: In 2024, Gov. Sununu vetoed legislation that was similar to this one.

When HB 148 came up for a vote later in the day, speaking in opposition of it for the minority party was a first term representative named Alice Wade from Dover. Her speech was eloquent and from her heart. She spoke of a conversation she had at the end of election day on Nov. 5th outside her polling place with a Republican man. They were both greeting voters and holding signs. Rep. Wade introduced herself and they chatted awhile before the man expressed that he hadn’t been participating in politics as he had lost a child the previous summer and didn’t have the energy for it. They continued to chat when the man asked Rep. Wade if she was transgender, to which she answered in the affirmative. The man then proceeded to tell her how he had lost his child, a transgender man, to suicide. He told her while he didn’t understand what it meant to be transgender, he was proud of and loved his child deeply. He regretted not understanding his son more.

Rep. Wade kept her speech in the direction of the Republican majority as she explained how overwhelming it is for trans people to go through life knowing there are those who are hostile to their very existence and that transitioning six years ago is what helped to save her life. She implored that side of the hall to not vote in favor of passing the bill noting that there were more than 50 people who came and gave in person testimony opposing the bill, where there were only about ten people who showed up in support. There were 2,910 people who went on line opposing this bill, with only 206 on line who supported it. It was a challenge to keep our tears in check. To see and hear the entire 5 minute speech by Rep. Wade, click here and scroll to the 5:18:20 mark. 

Her heartfelt words of hope, understanding and inclusivity fell on deaf ears and hard hearts. The bill passed 201-166.

Stay the course, Rep. Wade, as we continue to shine the light on those whose hate-filled bigotry is spurred by their fear of you.