I write to ask for your support of HB 1799, “an act relative to required state funding for providing an opportunity for an adequate education.” You may review the entire text of HB 1799 by clicking this link. A brief outline of the bill is at the bottom of this note.

HB 1799 seeks to conform the state’s public school funding system to two new court rulings handed down in 2025 in the ConVal and Rand cases. When properly funded through appropriate state budget processes in the next budget cycle, or before that if possible, the HB 1799 formula will enable school districts to meet, at an admittedly minimum level, our state-level constitutional school funding obligations, thereby ensuring funding, with other currently available funding streams, sufficient to provide every child with the opportunity for a constitutionally adequate education while also enabling significant, constitutionally mandated local property tax relief across the state.

HB 1799 will be heard by the House Education Funding Committee hearing on Tues., Jan. 20th, at 1:30 PM. You may record your position on the bill, and provide written testimony if you wish, by clicking this Online Testimony Submission (Sign-In) link and then proceeding through a multi-step process to the point where you will be able to state your position on the bill.

The hearing will be at Granite Place in Concord, Room 232. In person testimony is welcome. You may also watch the hearing on YouTube by going to this link and clicking on the House Education Funding streaming video for Jan. 20th.

Thank you for considering this.

Brief Outline of HB 1799, “an act relative to required state funding for providing an opportunity for an adequate education.”  

1. At the core of HB 1799, in section 2, is its “policy, findings and purposes” declaration affirming the state’s commitment to provide and fund, in cooperation with local school districts but without excessive reliance on local property taxes, a constitutionally compliant, high quality, public education system for all of NH’s children.

2. HB 1799 sets, in section 5, new annual per pupil cost factors for determining each municipality’s state grant. On average, these new cost factors will increase the state’s annual adequacy grants to municipalities for their respective school districts across the state by about 1.7 times the current level of adequacy funding.

3. HB 1799 includes, in section 4, a new provision for “Statewide Oversight to Identify and Address Persistent Disparities in Achievement.”

4. HB 1799 establishes, in section 7, an “Adequate Education Funding Commission” to “study and identify transition and revenue options other than local property taxes for the full funding of state grants to public schools for consideration and action by state officials involved in the development of the state budget for fiscal years 2028-2029.

5. HB 1799 changes the Statewide Property Tax (SWEPT) to require the collecting municipalities to pay all revenue received to the department of revenue administration for deposit in the education trust fund. (Note that HB 1799 does not seek to change the amount to be collected by the SWEPT.)

Thank you for considering this.

Dick Ames
NH State Representative, Cheshire County District 13,
Dublin and Jaffrey
House Education Funding Committee

On Jan. 30th, the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) bill, which is the one that funds ICE, is up for a vote in the Senate. This funding runs out at the end of the month. In order for this bill to pass, no less than 60 votes are needed. The current United States Senate consists of 52 Republican members, 44 Democrats and two Independents (Bernie Sanders – Vt. and Angus King – Me., who usually vote with Democrats). As we can see the Republicans need at least eight Democrats to vote with them and that terrorist group receives more funding.

ICE is investing roughly $100 million towards the recruitment of 10,000 new agents, adding to the 20,000 already employed. Just under the size of the Marine Corps Reservists, to put the numbers in perspective. They are permitted to use lethal force in self-defense, although we have seen time and again no one is attacking them! They roam our streets in unmarked cars, wearing masks, body armor and carry militarized weapons, using brutality to bully and frighten not just immigrants but law-abiding citizens. 

What can we do? We can ensure the ICEstapo loses its funding!

How? By demanding, yes demanding, our members of Congress and the Senate require the DHS spending bill must prohibit ICE from carrying weapons! 
Our members of Congress and the Senate must clearly and directly declare that ICE does not have absolute immunity under the law if they harm or murder civilians!

Who? Sen. Maggie Hassan; 202-224-3324; Email Senator Hassan | U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen; 202-224-2841; Contact | U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Rep. Maggie Goodlander; 202-225-5206; EMAIL Maggie - Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander
Rep. Chris Pappas; 202-225-5456; ZIP Code Authentication | Congressman Chris Pappas

Let’s overload their voice mail and email:
~ The DHS spending bill must prohibit ICE from carrying weapons.
~ The bill must include that ICE has no absolute immunity under the law if they harm or murder civilians.
~  Include that they must not target people because of race, language or accent.
~ Include that ICE agents are liable under civil and criminal law if they harm or murder civilians. 
~ ICE members need to be reminded of both the 5th Amendment and the 14th amendment, specifically the Due Process Clause.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for taking the time to defend our fragile democracy and fellow human beings yet again!

 

I’ll bet most people in New Hampshire have no idea how many security and surveillance agencies we have here. I know I didn’t. Other than local police, sheriff and state police departments I discovered we also have access to these, thanks to today’s technology:
Home - Law Enforcement Center Cyber
Search the Data | Atlas of Surveillance
Welcome to the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management | Homeland Security and Emergency Management

The Mission Statement of the Division of Homeland Security (last link) states: “To provide an integrated, all-crimes/all-hazards, information sharing network to collect, analyze and disseminate information derived from multiple sources to stakeholders in a timely manner, in an effort to protect the citizens and the critical infrastructure of New Hampshire, while ensuring the protection of civil rights and civil liberties.”

Oh. OK. So, the state currently has an “information sharing network from multiple sources” and currently shares this counterintelligence information throughout law enforcement per RSA 651-F. 

On Thurs., Jan. 15th, the Executive Depts. and Administration Committee held a public hearing on HB 1605. Sponsored by Liberty Alliance member Rep. Mike Belcher – Wakefield, this proposed legislation will “establish the state intelligence and counter-intelligence office within the department of safety.”

Now wait a minute, don’t we already have that in the Dept. of Safety? Yes, we do but according to Belcher, "What it really is, is a normal investigative office that would be tasked specifically with looking at threats posed by foreign hostile actors, largely the Chinese." And of course this bill comes with a price tag all at a time when the Republicans are repealing every form of state revenue in sight, leaving the property owner holding an ever burgeoning bag! How does $6 million sound for a redundant office employing about a dozen people whose focus is on China? According to language in the bill, the state would also purchase "nondescript surveillance vehicles, an unarmed aerial surveillance platform, and night vision or thermal imaging devices, or both, and operational costs." Even the Dept. of Safety acknowledged this bill would be “duplicative to the efforts that have existed since 2010.”

As with their desire to bring back capitol punishment, which costs more than a life sentence, where are they going to scrounge up the money? GoFundMe? Higher property taxes? Repealing more community minded services? Voting in a terrible budget?

How about concentrating on furthering the intelligence of NH students by enacting previous court orders and properly fund public education? And I don’t mean the segregated kind. 

Next Wed., on Jan 21st, in the Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee, HB 1091 will be heard in a public hearing. This bill is meant to require cities and towns to provide for a nonfinancial penalty that may be elected in place of a financial penalty for any ordinance or bylaw prohibiting sleeping or camping outdoors. Currently Keene’s fines are $157, compared to Nashua at $1000. 

Sadly, for unhoused individuals, these fines only generate yet another unaffordable barrier to stability, particularly one that folks who are unhoused are least likely to be able to overcome. 

Requiring a nonfinancial means of remedy for these violations, such as community service, verification of long-term housing or employment, etc., could make these unfortunate situations productive ones, help to lift people up, rather than push them deeper into debt and further instability.

This bill is sponsored by Rep. Jodi Newell – Keene, along with several other Democrats in both the House and Senate. Please take a moment to register your support of HB 1091 to the House of Representatives sign in portal. Fill in your name and address, then follow the prompts; the date is Jan. 21st; the committee is Criminal Justice and Public Safety; the bill is HB 1091 at 3:30; unless otherwise, you’re a member of the public and then that you support the bill. Hit “submit.” 

Let’s give a helping hand to someone today!

On Wed, Jan. 14th, the New Hampshire House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing for three death penalty bills:

• HB1749, reinstating the death penalty for murder offenses.
• HB1413, reinstituting the death penalty in cases of capital murder
• HB1737, relative to reinstating the death penalty for certain offenses against minors under 13 years of age

All three will now be going before the House for a vote in early February. Another similar bill will be heard in the same committee today Thurs., Jan. 15th.

• HB1730, making all offenses against minors involving sexual penetration or contact felony-level offenses punishable by death

The public hearing was recorded with both support and opposition speeches given. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, Peter Libasci, spoke to the amount of money it takes to end someone’s life that could be spent on needs which would benefit the quality of life for people in the state. Recall that it costs roughly $1.1 million to put someone to death as opposed to $6-700,000 for life imprisonment. 

Rep. Seth King – Whitefield, a Liberty Alliance member who scored a B+ for his votes last year, spoke of his “concern” for putting someone to death. Should be done humanely, such as a firing squad which sounded so much kinder to him then say, the electric chair or a lethal injection. I wonder how he would know that . . . There was no mention of public hanging, guillotine or that all time biblical favorite, public stoning.

The other bill which came before the same committee yesterday was HB 1793. This bill, proposed by fourteen Republican House and Senate members, will:

 I.  Prohibit public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of firearms and non-lethal weapons on campus.

 II.  Allow persons aggrieved by public colleges or universities that implement such regulations to sue such institutions for damages and injunctive relief.

Yes, you read that right, colleges can be sued if someone’s feelings are hurt because they aren’t allowed to bring a weapon on campus! Public testimony on this bill can be viewed here. This bill will also be coming to the House for a vote early next month. 

So far there is overwhelming public opposition to these barbaric bills. For example, HB 1413 registered 637 against with only five in support; HB 1730 registered 575 against with only three in support; HB 1749 registered 667 against with only three supporting.

These are bills to keep an eye on as we move closer to a scheduled vote in the House.

“Hangman, Hangman, upon your face a smile. Tell me that I’m free to ride, ride for many a mile.”   Led Zepplin  “Gallows Pole”

More terrible bills are making their way through Committee hearings this week. Your job, should you choose to accept it (again), is to register your support or opposition of these bills.

First up, reinstating the death penalty in New Hampshire. On May 30th, 2019, NH became the last New England state and the 21st state to abolish the death penalty. That repeal is not retroactive and there remains one person on death row, Michael Addison, convicted of murdering police officer Michael Briggs in Manchester in 2006. 

Fun facts: NH hasn’t executed anyone since 1939 and has the lowest homicide rate in the nation. 
Fun fact: Studies have shown that capital punishment is more costly to implement rather than a life imprisonment sentence, roughly $1.1 million versus $6-700,000 for life imprisonment. 

The Republicans are repealing all manner of state revenue. Where do they think they’re going to get the money to legally kill people?

Anyway . . .

On Wed., Jan. 14th, the House Criminal Justice Committee will have a public hearing for the following bills:

• HB1749, reinstating the death penalty for murder offenses.
• HB1413, reinstituting the death penalty in cases of capital murder
• HB1737, relative to reinstating the death penalty for certain offenses against minors under 13 years of age

Click on the bill number to see who the sponsors are and more information about the bill itself.

The other bill will be heard in the same committee the next day Thurs., Jan. 15th.

• HB1730, making all offenses against minors involving sexual penetration or contact felony-level offenses punishable by death

To register your opposition to these four bills, click here and follow the prompts. 

On Fri., Jan. 16th, 10:00am, the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee will hold a hearing on HB1651. This bill establishes sexual assault orders of protection when they fear for their safety and updates certain rights for sexual assault survivors. 
Currently, survivors of sexual assault may not be able to access civil domestic violence or stalking orders if they are not in a relationship with the offender, or their experiences don't rise to the level of stalking. This helps ensure these protections extend to all sexual assault survivors in NH, regardless of their relationship to the offender.

HB1651 strengthens survivors' right. This bill will require survivors be informed about the status and location of their rape kit and how long it will be stored. This gives survivors more control over their kit by being able to track its location through the system. This bill also fixes a shortfall in current law by ensuring rape kits are preserved for either the full statute of limitations or 20 years, whichever is longer. This protects access to evidence, especially for child survivors.

To register your support of this bill, click here and as before follow the prompts.

HB1740 completely repeals and rewrites NH's domestic violence statute, RSA 173-B. This bill would significantly restrict access to civil protection, increase danger for victims, and undermine decades of evidence-based domestic violence policy in NH. It will cut funding for crisis centers and survivor services, making it harder to get a protective order by requiring there be criminal charges before someone can get protection. This will create more court delays, costs, and barriers for victims, undermining victim privacy and emergency protections when danger is highest. 

To register your opposition to these dangerous bills, click here and again, follow the prompts.

Thank you again for taking the time to participate in our democracy!

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), is under attack again! SB 615 is another attack on those in our state who are most vulnerable; children, senior citizens and veterans. This Republican sponsored bill seeks to cut eligibility for SNAP while adding more red tape and hoops to jump through.

As if that’s not enough, there are already federal SNAP cuts in place due to the recently passed “Budget Reconciliation Bill;”
Effective October 1, 2025:
~SNAP nutrition education eliminated: Federal funding to the tune of $1.18 million for NH's SNAP-Ed program gets cut. The result? Thousands will experience even worse food insecurity, thereby reducing health benefits, and eroding economic benefits by undermining programs such as the one that doubles SNAP dollars at farmers' markets.

Effective October 1, 2026:
~NH will be stuck with huge new administration costs: The state will pay 75% of SNAP's operating costs, up from 50%. This is an annual increase of at least $5.7 million, potentially resulting in less staff and slower service for families.

Effective October 1, 2027:
~NH will be hit with huge new food benefit costs: the state may end up having to pay a share of SNAP food benefits if the state's error rate is 6% or higher. The cost share is likely to be between 5-15% of benefits, costing millions more annually. This would be a humanitarian disaster for NH. 

So why do Republicans in the state senate want to add more pain? Remember the recent federal government shutdown? SNAP assistance was halted, resulting in immediate and overwhelming numbers of folks utilizing food pantries. 
This bill inflicts constraints on top of federal SNAP rules, such as making purchases in NH only, creating unnecessary administrative burdens on retailers and could possibly force small stores to stop taking SNAP. SB 615 places more administrative burdens, risking huge federal penalties.

This bill comes before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 14 and is opposed by NH Hunger Solutions. Please take a moment to contact committee members and urge them to vote “no” on this cruel bill:

Email Entire Committee or singularly:

Sen. David Rochefort | Chair | 603-271-8631 | David.Rochefort@gc.nh.gov

Sen. Kevin Avard | Vice Chair | 603-271-3479 | Kevin.Avard@gc.nh.gov

Sen. Regina Birdsell | 603-271-3479 | Regina.Birdsell@gc.nh.gov

Sen. Suzanne Prentiss | 603-271-3091 | suzanne.prentiss@gc.nh.gov

Sen. Pat Long | 603-271-2104 | Patrick.Long@gc.nh.gov

To register your opinion online click here:
The date of the hearing is Jan. 14th
The committee is Health & Human Services
The bill is SB 615
Unless otherwise, you are a member of the public
Select whether you support or oppose this bill
Hit continue and fill in your name and address
Hit continue again, you’re done!

Thank you for taking the time to defend democracy in its many forms, this time speaking in defense of those in our communities who are the most vulnerable!

For many people, the time period between America’s Civil War and Great Depression were economically hard times, resulting in high unemployment and as a result, brought with it a wave of transients, called “tramps.”

In 1875, seeking to address the growing number of transients, New Hampshire passed a state law sentencing those caught publicly begging, up to six months at the county or town poor farm. Didn’t take too long for this new law to inundate local towns, so in 1878, the legislature passed a new state law called “Marston’s Law.” This law sent beggars and tramps to state prison for up to five years doing hard labor. All for the “crime” of being poor.

Most small towns, having no local police departments, couldn’t impose this law. Instead, townspeople/taxpayers built small buildings called "tramp houses." These were roughly around 200 square feet, a gabled roof, one door, one window and a chimney for the small wood stove inside. The houses made of wood were sometimes lined with sheet metal to prevent fires. Some also served as a jail.

Towns were required to provide food and firewood to transients, with town reports between the 1870s and 1940s showing these expenses, which often came under the police or welfare budgets.

Today, only seven known free standing tramp houses remain: in Barnstead, Errol, Grafton, Hill, Kingston, Richmond and Weare, a reminder of earlier, tough economic times for a lot of people. And how others stepped up to assist.

Thurs., Jan. 8th was the second day House Representatives were back at the State House, ostensibly to do the work of the people. That afternoon HB 348 came up for a vote. Sponsored by Jennifer Rhodes-Winchester, Jason Osborne-Auburn, Joe Sweeney-Salem, Terry Roy-Deerfield, Ross Berry-Weare and several others from the majority party, this bill will permit towns to limit public assistance for those in need. 

Currently, NH law RSA 165 states in part: I. “Whenever a person in any town is poor and unable to support himself, he shall be relieved and maintained by the overseers of public welfare of such town, whether or not he has residence there.” And RSA 165:20 allows for towns to reimburse each other for assistance given to residents originally from some other town. 

An added amendment to HB 348 now requires those seeking assistance to “provide proof of residency prior to being approved for such assistance. Acceptable evidence of an individual's residence may include a lease, car registration, utility bill, or any government-issued document with an address matching the stated residence.” However, if you’re running from domestic violence you get 72 hours to come up with the required documents, just in case that isn’t the first thing an abuse victim thinks to pack. After the floor debate, the bill went to a roll call vote where it handily passed, 190-157. Click here to see how your representative voted on this latest bit of cruelty to others. To see the floor debate: House Session (01/08/2026)

And no article would be complete without mentioning that the much maligned HB 155 sponsored by Joe Alexander-Goffstown, Berry, Osborne and Sweeney was passed 189-165 through a roll call vote. This bill cuts the Business and Enterprise Tax (a boon to the wealthy) and reduces state revenue annually by more than $20 million. Those of you reading this know exactly where the money to make up for that shortfall will have to come from. 

You . . . 

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”   Proverbs 19:17

Back when the Education Freedom Account (school voucher program) was brought to fruition by the legislature in 2021, it was initially touted as a “choice” for low-income families wanting to send their children to private or home school, rather than public schools. It was originally intended for students who were already in public school, making the transition to private or home school. It was also originally intended for students whose family’s annual income was at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. That cap had been incrementally raised and has now been eliminated altogether. It didn’t take Gov. Ayotte long to sign the newly passed bill into law. 

The Children's Scholarship Fund (based out of New York), is the administrator of the school voucher program. ClassWallet doles out the money to educational providers. This includes homeschools, on-line learning, out-of-district public schools and private/religious schools. And yes, they do draw a paycheck. 

Nearly two years ago, state auditors, specifically NH’s Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA), were attempting to review and audit the Education Freedom Account school choice program. Then Education Commissioner Frank Edleblut felt the LBA should not have requested financial data that is not owned by the state (even though state dollars are used). He called it a “fishing expedition.” I can see why he wanted to hide what taxpayer money was supporting. Here is the link for the “EFA service providers,” with some examples following: 

Your child interested in taking dance lessons, including Irish step? How about learning karate/martial arts? Plenty of businesses to choose from. Perhaps your child is interested in horses, just contact a stable in Alstead, Belmont or Temple. They’ll set your child up. French horn lessons. Piano lessons. Photography school. Child needs driver training? Schools in Enfield, Goffstown, Moultonborough or Rochester. Tutors? Skiing lessons? Gunstock Area Commission received $62,738; Pat’s Peak Ski Area, $4,246; Waterville Valley Ski Area, (Sununus,) $237. Let’s not forget the Association of Pickleball Players who received $1,510 in voucher money. All happy to do so. Here’s another one with their hand out, The Prickle. Their logo is the Free Stater porcupine. Tells us all we need to know . . .

And then the state pays these places which are clearly out-of-state: 
Mid-Vt. Christian School, White River Junction, Vermont
Mahogany Bay Farm in York, Maine 
Maximum Velocity Sports Camp, Berwick, Maine
Maker Farm, Pepperell, Mass.
Paper Pie, Chelmsford, Mass. Looks to be an on-line children’s book and game store! Why would they need vouchers?

Voting has consequences. This property tax sucking program and revenue repealing bills have been brought to you by the majority party. And they have plenty more hurtful bills in store for the state! Think of that when voting at your upcoming town meetings and again in Nov. 

Before they completely take that right away . . . 

Garry Rayno from InDepthNH, wrote even more about this burdensome program.

Back when the Education Freedom Account (school voucher program) was brought to fruition by the legislature in 2021, it was initially touted as a “choice” for low-income families wanting to send their children to private or home school, rather than public schools. It was originally intended for students who were already in public school, making the transition to private or home school. It was also originally intended for students whose family’s annual income was at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. That cap had been incrementally raised and has now been eliminated altogether. It didn’t take Gov. Ayotte long to sign the newly passed bill into law. 

The Children's Scholarship Fund (based out of New York), is the administrator of the school voucher program. ClassWallet doles out the money to educational providers. This includes homeschools, on-line learning, out-of-district public schools and private/religious schools. And yes, they do draw a paycheck. 

Nearly two years ago, state auditors, specifically NH’s Legislative Budget Assistant (LBA), were attempting to review and audit the Education Freedom Account school choice program. Then Education Commissioner Frank Edleblut felt the LBA should not have requested financial data that is not owned by the state (even though state dollars are used). He called it a “fishing expedition.” I can see why he wanted to hide what taxpayer money was supporting. Here is the link for the “EFA service providers,” with some examples following: 

Your child interested in taking dance lessons, including Irish step? How about learning karate/martial arts? Plenty of businesses to choose from. Perhaps your child is interested in horses, just contact a stable in Alstead, Belmont or Temple. They’ll set your child up. French horn lessons. Piano lessons. Photography school. Child needs driver training? Schools in Enfield, Goffstown, Moultonborough or Rochester. Tutors? Skiing lessons? Gunstock Area Commission received $62,738; Pat’s Peak Ski Area, $4,246; Waterville Valley Ski Area, (Sununus,) $237. Let’s not forget the Association of Pickleball Players who received $1,510 in voucher money. All happy to do so. Here’s another one with their hand out, The Prickle. Their logo is the Free Stater porcupine. Tells us all we need to know . . .

And then the state pays these places which are clearly out-of-state: 
Mid-Vt. Christian School, White River Junction, Vermont
Mahogany Bay Farm in York, Maine 
Maximum Velocity Sports Camp, Berwick, Maine
Maker Farm, Pepperell, Mass.
Paper Pie, Chelmsford, Mass. Looks to be an on-line children’s book and game store! Why would they need vouchers?

Voting has consequences. This property tax sucking program and revenue repealing bills have been brought to you by the majority party. And they have plenty more hurtful bills in store for the state! Think of that when voting at your upcoming town meetings and again in Nov. 

Before they completely take that right away . . . 

Garry Rayno from InDepthNH, wrote even more about this burdensome program.