“We are living in times that will demand courage. When people ask me how do I draw hope, how do I stay encouraged, how do I continue to show up? The answer is that I look back. I look back and I look at how my existence here today is owed entirely to the courage of people who came before me. And so, what do I owe myself in that moment and to those who come after me? To exercise courage in this moment.” – Bree Newsome Bass
Greetings, State House Watchers,
A blessed Easter to all who celebrate. Let’s take heart from this story of liberation, transformation, and new beginnings.
And happy Earth Day as well! April 22 will mark the 55th anniversary of the initiation of the modern environmental movement; celebrate by taking action for renewable energy and a livable planet.
Did you also celebrate Tax Day on Tuesday? It was a good opportunity to think about the fairness (or lack thereof) of our current tax system, and to draw attention to the gross misallocation of our shared wealth to militarism, violence, incarceration, and deportation. We appreciated these op-eds: Egg Prices and the Pentagon Budget: A Tax Day Lament and On Tax Day, Reject DOGE-Led Cuts to the IRS Workforce and Budget.
This weekend is another big one for protests. The nationwide theme for Saturday’s demonstrations is ‘No Kings!’ and there are events in multiple NH places, including Portsmouth at 12 noon and Concord at 3 PM. On Thursday, head back to the State House for a Hands Off Medicaid! Rally.
Go with friends, stay safe, and please keep showing up if you’re able to do so, because we are at a critical point. Authoritarianism expands with every defiance of court orders, every act of appeasement by institutional leaders, every dehumanizing lie told by those in power to justify their atrocities. We are at a true crossroads, and we need to participate, in whatever ways we can, in a nonviolent struggle to defend and care for each other, and to construct a diverse, equitable, and inclusive democracy.
Like many of you, we are apprehensive and grieving. But with you, we are dedicated to the daily labor of solidarity - with transgender people, Dartmouth student workers and all who are organizing for fair treatment, people with disabilities, and immigrants of all statuses and backgrounds. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Andry Hernandez Romero and all who were deported with them should be home, and absolutely no one should be confined to a torture center, anywhere. Mohsen Mahdawi, Rümeysa Öztürk, and Mahmoud Khalil should be at university, and free to continue their beautiful work for peace. All international students should be enjoying their spring semesters, safe from persecution for their speech and protests. And Juan Francisco Mendez should be free, as should all of the 200+ immigrants who are currently in ICE custody in Dover and Berlin, NH.
Last Week at the State House
Now that the House has completed their work on the state budget, the next phase is in the Senate. Last week, Senate Finance Committee members held a series of agency presentations which will inform their work; those sessions continue next week. Mark your calendars for a public hearing on May 6 and a field hearing scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 PM at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, NH. Read more here.
We recommend this resource from the NH Fiscal Policy Institute that compares the House-passed version of the state budget with what the governor originally proposed. And here’s a summary of which legislative proposals were included in HB 2, the budget trailer bill.
We appreciate this op-ed from Lisa Beaudoin, NH budget fails the test of basic decency. “New Hampshire lawmakers must look again at this budget — not just with their calculators, but with their conscience. NH’s economy cannot thrive if we starve the systems that sustain our people. Budgets must prioritize compassion over cruelty, investment over ideology, and human dignity over political expediency.”
ACTION ALERTS
Note that the following Action Alerts are not all the same. Please read each one carefully as the instructions are different depending on where the bill is in the process.
When a public hearing is scheduled, members of the public have the opportunity sign in online to register their opposition or support for a bill. After a public hearing has passed and the committee is ready to vote on a bill, they will hold an executive session. There is no sign-in or public testimony at executive sessions, but you can still contact members of that committee by email or phone to let them know how you’d like them to vote.
The Senate committee pages provide a link to “contact entire committee,” which will open your email app and populate it with the email addresses of all committee members. House committees don’t have that handy feature, but thanks to Katy Cutshall, here’s a list of members for each House committee, which makes it easy to cut and paste.
Tuesday, April 22 – PUBLIC HEARINGS
OPPOSE HB 115, relative to universal eligibility for the education freedom account program. This harmful bill would vastly expand the school voucher program by eliminating all financial eligibility restrictions. It would undermine public education while also overburdening taxpayers. It is scheduled for a public hearing in Senate Education, LOB Room 101, on Tuesday, April 22 at 10:15 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.
OPPOSE SB 13-FN, invalidating out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. This harmful bill would misuse public funds to target immigrant drivers, creating a hostile and unwelcoming environment with far reaching impacts. A public hearing is scheduled in House Transportation, LOB Room 203, on Tuesday, April 22 at 1:40 PM. Please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails; sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Wednesday, April 23 & Friday, April 25 – EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
OPPOSE SB 62, relative to law enforcement participation in a federal immigration program. This bill provides that neither the state nor any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall prohibit or impede any state, county, or local law enforcement agency from applying for entry or entering into an agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in a federal 287(g) program pursuant to 8 U.S.C. section 1357(g). It is scheduled for two executive sessions in House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204, on Wednesday, April 23 at 11 AM and Friday, April 25 at 10 AM. Note that the online sign-in period has passed, but please contact the committee to urge them to defeat these bills; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails.
OPPOSE SB 71, providing that unless expressly prohibited by state or federal law, local governmental entities may not prohibit or impede any state or federal law enforcement agency from complying with federal immigration laws, and provides for remedies for violations. It is scheduled for two executive sessions in House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204, on Wednesday, April 23 at 11 AM and Friday, April 25 at 10 AM. Note that the online sign-in period has passed, but please contact the committee to urge them to defeat these bills; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails.
OPPOSE SB 268, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances. This is yet another bill that would legalize discrimination against transgender people in bathrooms, athletics and incarceration, rolling back current nondiscrimination provisions that were passed into law in 2018. It is scheduled for an executive session in House Judiciary, LOB 206-208, on Wednesday, April 23 at 10 AM. Note that the online sign-in period has passed, but please contact the committee; you can use this link to copy and paste their emails. You can also send a message using this ACLU NH action alert.
Wednesday, April 23 – PUBLIC HEARINGS
OPPOSE HB 712-FN, limiting breast surgeries for minors. This bill would block decisions that should be made by the minor child, their guardian(s), and their medical professionals. It is scheduled for a public hearing in Senate Health & Human Services, Room 103 SH on Wednesday, April 23 at 9:30 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can also send a message to your Senator using this ACLU NH action alert.
OPPOSE HB 377-FN, relative to health care professionals administering hormone treatments and puberty blockers. This bill prohibits the performance of a medical procedure or the prescription or issuance of medication, upon or to a minor child, that is intended to alter the minor child's gender or delay puberty. It would insert the State into a decision that should be made between the minor child, their guardian(s), and their medical professionals. It is scheduled for a public hearing in Senate Health & Human Services, Room 103, SH on Wednesday, April 23 at 9:45 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can also send a message to your Senator using this ACLU NH action alert.
OPPOSE SB 211, relative to biological sex in student athletics. This bill requires school sports teams to be expressly designated as male, female, or coed, denies transgender students the opportunity participate on sports teams that align with their gender identity, and creates a cause of action for violations of these requirements. These restrictions would apply to “any interscholastic, intercollegiate, athletic team, sport, or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by a school, school district, or organization under the control of the state board of education, or an institution of higher education under either the university system or the community college system.” It is scheduled for a public hearing in House Education Policy & Administration, LOB 205-207 on Wednesday, April 23 at 10 AM. Please contact committee members, and sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.
OPPOSE SB 33-FN, relative to the regulation of public school materials. This unconstitutional bill would rely on a single designee to determine which materials would be removed. It is scheduled for a public hearing in House Education Policy & Administration, LOB 205-207 on Wednesday, April 23 at 11 AM. Please contact committee members, and sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.
Key:
LOB – Legislative Office Building (33 N. State St. Concord)
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote
Last week in the House
The House did not meet in session last week.
Last week in the Senate
The Senate met in full session on Thursday, April 17. You can watch it here. Here are the outcomes of the bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
EDUCATION
HB 193, relative to the maximum number of credits per course eligible for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. OTP by VV.
HB 222, repealing the requirement for a memorandum of understanding between a chartered public school and school district regarding how students with disabilities will receive special education services. Re-referred to committee by VV.
ELECTION LAW
HB 269, relative to the date for correction of the voter checklist. OTP by VV.
HB 294, relative to the processing of absentee ballots. OTP by VV.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
HB 167-FN, prohibiting the sale of ski, boat, and board waxes that contain intentionally added per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. OTP by VV.
FINANCE
HB 165-FN, relative to the maximum amount of disaster relief funding provided to municipalities after a natural disaster. OTP by VV.
HB 517-FN, repealing certain outreach and marketing requirements under the Granite State paid family leave plan. OTP by VV.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
HB 73, relative to harm reduction, substance misuse, and the governor’s commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. OTP by VV.
HB 370, reestablishing the commission to study the delivery of behavioral crisis services to individuals with mental illness with an impairment primarily due to intellectual disability. OTP by VV.
HB 597, establishing a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system. OTP by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
EDUCATION
HB 231, prohibiting school district personnel from transporting students to medical or mental health appointments, visits, or procedures without parental consent. OTP by RC, 21Y-3N.
JUDICIARY
HB 75-FN, legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older. Laid on table by RC, 15Y-9N.
Coming Up in the House
There will be no House Session next week.
Coming Up in House Committees
You can watch the House hearings here. You can sign in for House bills here. And you can contact House committees here and by using this committee email list here.
MONDAY, APRIL 21
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
9:00 AM SB 236, relative to transferring control of the Electric Assistance Program to the department of energy.
TUESDAY, APRIL 22
ELECTION LAW, Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM SB 44, relative to hand counts of ballots in elections.
10:40 AM SB 218, relative to absentee ballot outer envelopes.
11:00 AM SB 222, relative to moving the state primary date.
11:20 AM SB 103-FN-L, relative to the number of polling stations that are available for certain towns.
11:40 AM SB 43, removing articles of clothing from the definition of electioneering.
1:00 PM SB 16, requiring municipalities to post a copy of election return forms on their websites and in public locations.
1:20 PM SB 45, clarifying the placement of advertising signs on state-owned property.
2:00 PM SB 213-FN, relative to absentee voting.
2:20 PM SB 221, relative to the verification of the checklist.
2:40 PM SB 287, requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application.
TRANSPORTATION, Room 203, LOB
1:40 PM SB 13-FN, invalidating out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
10:00 AM SB 47, requiring certain health insurance policies of a birth mother to provide coverage for a newly born child from the moment of birth.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10:30 AM SB 58-FN, relative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.
11:00 AM Executive session on SB 14-FN, relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses; SB 15-FN, relative to establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting; SB 62, relative to law enforcement participation in a federal immigration program; SB 71-FN, relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 205-207, LOB
10:00 AM SB 211, relative to biological sex in student athletics.
11:00 AM SB 33-FN, relative to the regulation of public school materials.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
1:00 PM SB 61-FN, relative to prescriptions for state prisoners paid for by the department of corrections.
2:30 PM SB 180-FN, designating Coos county as a distressed place-based economy.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 301-303, LOB
9:30 AM SB 36, relative to the collection and reporting of abortion statistics by health care providers and medical facilities.
1:30 PM SB 257, establishing a committee to study state guidelines for Medicaid eligibility determinations.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
10:00 AM Executive session on SB 268, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM Continued executive session on SB 14-FN, relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses; SB 15-FN, relative to establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting; SB 58-FN, relative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting; SB 62, relative to law enforcement participation in a federal immigration program; SB 71-FN, relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Coming Up in the Senate
There will be no Senate session next week.
Coming Up in Senate Committees
You can watch the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for Senate bills here. And you can contact Senate committees here.
MONDAY, APRIL 21
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
1:30 PM Department of Energy
1:45 PM Public Utilities Commission
1:55 PM Office of the Consumer Advocate
2:00 PM Department of Environmental Services
2:25 PM Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food
2:40 PM Judicial Branch
3:00 PM Judicial Council
TUESDAY, APRIL 22
EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
10:00 AM HB 781-FN, requiring school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education.
10:15 AM HB 115-FN, relative to universal eligibility for the education freedom account program.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
10:15 AM HB 200, relative to the procedure for overriding a local tax cap.
10:30 AM HB 374, relative to local tax cap and budget laws.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
9:00 AM HB 566-FN, requiring permit applications for new landfills to contain a detailed plan for leachate management.
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
1:00 PM Department of Education
1:25 PM Department of Transportation
1:55 PM NH Commission for Human Rights
2:10 PM NH Retirement System
2:25 PM Public Employee Labor Relations Board
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 101, LOB
9:30 AM HB 552-FN, relative to coverage of children under the state retiree insurance plan.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 103, SH
9:00 AM HB 606, relative to a patient’s right to medically appropriate care for reproductive disorders.
9:30 AM HB 712-FN, limiting breast surgeries for minors.
9:45 AM HB 377-FN, relative to health care professionals administering hormone treatments and puberty blockers.
THURSDAY, APRIL 24
CAPITAL BUDGET, Room 100, SH
9:00 AM HB 25-A, making appropriations for capital improvements.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 103, SH
10:00 AM HB 473-FN, criminalizing multiple forms of exposing children to controlled substances and allowing law enforcement to take a child into protective custody for screening and testing in an instance of suspected or actual criminal exposure to controlled substances.
10:10 AM HB 560, relative to parental access to a minor child’s medical records.
10:20 AM HB 273, relative to a parent’s access to their minor child’s library records.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
CAPITAL BUDGET, Room 100, SH
9:00 AM Agency Presentations
Treasury Department
Department of Administrative Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Education
Fish and Game Department
Department of Environmental Services
Department of Transportation
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
AGENCY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
1:00 PM Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services
1:15 PM Veterans Home
1:35 PM University System of New Hampshire
2:05 PM Community College System of New Hampshire
2:25 PM Department of Information Technology
2:45 PM Break
3:00 PM Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
3:20 PM Department of Justice
3:40 PM Lottery Commission
Recommendations
Are you a young person aged 18-25 who has or is currently experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire? Join an in-person focus group hosted by the Youth Success Project and Salem State University on Thursday, April 24, 2pm-3:30pm, to share your opinions about what the laws and policies around homelessness should be in New Hampshire. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Each participant will receive a $50 visa gift card. Sign up here.
Do you live, work, attend school or do business in Concord? The City of Concord’s Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging (DEIJB) Committee is seeking to understand the lived experiences of Concord’s diverse community groups regarding equal access to city services, programs, opportunities and feelings of belonging and inclusion. Sign up now for a focus group interview here.
Help the Disability Rights Center of NH choose their 2025-2026 priorities by filling out their survey here.
Upcoming Events
Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now - 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The April 23 vigil will be at Pappas' new district office location, 15 Third Street, Dover. The April 30 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover. We gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 5:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord.
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire –12 noon. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.
Stronger Together Weekly Visibility – 4 PM to 5 PM. Hosted by the Stronger Together Coalition. Corner of North Main Street and Loudon Road, Concord. Join us for a weekly visibility to stand against the war being raged against our communities. Our immigrant loved ones and neighbors are being targeted and kidnapped off the streets. Our public dollars are being funneled into a violent, bloated deportation and detention machine while local police are being weaponized against the communities they are supposed to serve, and life-giving programs are being defunded. Stand with us to protect our communities. All are welcome!
Saturday, April 19
Advanced Facilitator Training – 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Manchester Community College. Hosted by NH Listens. This Advanced Facilitator Training is focused on those difficult moments where people are in dialogue across significant differences. Many people are often trained to remain “neutral” when serving as facilitators. However, that doesn't mean facilitators should remain passive in the face of misunderstandings and harmful dynamics. This in-person session is designed to take a deeper dive into the tough moments that facilitators face, including self-reflection on identity as a facilitator, centering equity, and building confidence in productively addressing issues and facilitating constructive conversation among community members using a multi-partial approach. Facilitators for this training will be Mikayla Townsend, Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez, and Michele Holt-Shannon.
Granite State Democracy Tour - Laconia - 11 AM to 1 PM. Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon Street, E. Laconia. Hosted by Open Democracy. Join us when the Granite State Democracy Tour stops in Laconia! See the knitted New Hampshire State House created by many NH citizens. Talk with community experts who have a deep knowledge of elections, representation, and the legislative process. Take your knowledge of civics to a new level with presentations that address questions like: How does the process of setting up districts for elections minimize or increase polarization among the citizenry? How do the structures of primary elections shape the type of candidates who go on to hold office? What is happening now in the NH Legislature on elections and voting?
NO KINGS 50501 Protest - 3 PM to 6 PM. 3 N. Main St. Concord. Hosted by 50501 NH. This is the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord so we will stand together to, again, say "NO KINGS!!!"
Monday, April 21
Peace and Justice Conversations: Apache Stronghold & the Fight to Save Oak Flat - 7 PM. Hosted by 350 NH, Veterans for Peace & NH Peace Action. Tim Nafziger will be sharing about his work at Oak Flat in Arizona where Apache Stronghold is fighting to save this sacred site from being turned into a copper mine by mining giant Rio Tinto. They have appealed to the US supreme court arguing that destroying this land violates their religious freedom. Apache Stronghold is part of a wider movement of indigenous peoples working to protect sacred sites from extractive mining for profit. As part of our commitment to opposing colonization and militarization, we must stop seeing the world around us as a commodity to be consumed. Instead, Apache Stronghold invites people from all faith traditions to join them in prayer as part of renewing our relationship with mother earth.
Tuesday, April 22
Take Back the Night - 5:30 PM. NH State House, 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by Thrive Survivor Support Center. Take Back the Night is a movement for survivors to celebrate their resilience and share their story. Join us for a march, candlelight vigil, and speaking portion of the evening. We look forward to having you there.
Wednesday, April 23
“No Other Land” Film Screening – 6:30 PM doors open, 7 PM film starts. 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan Street, Portsmouth. Hosted by Not in My Name NH; cosponsored by AFSC-NH.
Thursday, April 24
Hands Off Medicaid Rally - 2 PM to 4 PM. NH State House, 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by Jules Good & Lisa Beaudoin with support from Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and Strategies for Disability Equity. Join us for a rally to tell Governor Ayotte "Hands Off Medicaid." No Medicaid premiums, no work requirements, no rate cuts - NO cuts to Medicaid. Speakers to be determined, contact us if you want to speak. Governor Ayotte is NH's chief executive, let's make it clear - NO cuts to Medicaid while cutting taxes for the rich! Want to table? Contact Lisa. Co-hosts welcome!
By Me - A Collection of Stories by Waypoint Youth - 5 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by Positive Street Art, Waypoint & Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Join us for an evening of community building and casual festivity, the night will include speeches from program staff and participants, exciting snacks and finger foods, music, and opportunities to support the youth directly by purchasing their works for your personal collection. Through the course of 2025, twenty young adults utilized analog photographic methodologies and hybrid creative writing techniques to create works wholly expressing their who-ness. Each relic installed at the chamber will unveil to the viewer extraordinary perspectives from artists around the state of New Hampshire who have been impacted by the circumstances of being un-housed. Their work seeks to demystify the life of housing insecure youth in the city and our state, sparking agency within themselves and stimulating a public dialogue toward the stories and experiences which shape them.
Youth Division Information Session - 6 PM. Hosted by BLM NH. We will be recruiting for our Youth Division, a space where young voices unite to fight for justice, equality, and social change. Not only are we looking for middle and high school students to join as members and leaders but College advisors as well to work with our team. Join us to learn more about the goals/mission and foundational details of the Youth Division. Here we’re creating a community where we amplify each other’s voices, push for meaningful change, and advocate for the marginalized and underserved. Whether you’re passionate about racial justice, environmental sustainability, economic equity, or human rights, there’s a place for you here.
Saturday, April 26
Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary - 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord - 274 Pleasant St. Hosted by UU Church of Concord, UU Church of Nashua, 603 Equality & PFLAG NH. a collaborative, multi-site, justice-making event: a day of creating community with transgender & nonbinary folx, their families and allies. This conference is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ folx in our local communities to gather, laugh, create joy, and find partnerships in our local communities, AND for folks not in the LGBTQIA+ community to learn effective, appropriate allyship and build connections. There will be workshops, opportunities to connect with local LGBTQIA+ organizations, and time to build community. The keynote speaker, Spencer Bergstedt, is a consultant, public speaker, educator, and author specializing in LGBTQ workplace, health care, and educational inclusion issues. The keynote address will be livestreamed at 1pm.
Granite State Democracy Tour - Concord - 10 AM to 12 PM at the NH Historical Society, 30 Park Street, Concord. Hosted by Open Democracy. Whether you’re a seasoned adult or a school-age future voter, you’ll learn something when the Granite State Democracy Tour stops in Concord. See the knitted New Hampshire State House created by many NH citizens. Hear presentations about the electoral process and its impact on legislation. Listen to authors read from their books about school children who visit city hall and the U.S. Congress. Take your knowledge of civics to a new level with presentations that address questions like: What makes New Hampshire’s form of government unique? What’s involved in running a town or city? How are decisions made in the community?
Unseen: Disability and Immigration in NH - Movie and Panel Discussion - 1 PM to 3:15 PM. Red River Theatres Inc. 11 South Main St. Concord. Hosted by the Disability Rights Center & others. Most people dream of a better future. Pedro, an aspiring social worker, is no different. But as a blind, undocumented immigrant, Pedro faces political restrictions to obtain his college degree, secure a job as a healthcare provider, and support his family. As he finally graduates, uncertainty looms over Pedro. What starts as a journey to provide mental health for his community ultimately transforms into Pedro’s path towards his own healing. Through experimental cinematography and sound, unseen reimagines a cinema accessible for blind/low vision audiences, while exploring the intersections of immigration, disability, and mental health. Join us for a showing of the movie and panel discussion moderated by Devon Chaffee, featuring: Daniel Frye, Clement Kigugu, Angela Mercado.
Courage to Resist: Commemorating 50 Years Since Vietnam - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Join us for an evening of stories, connection, resistance, and inspiration for a more just, peaceful future. With opportunities to join in person or online, we will highlight the efforts of AFSC staff, volunteers, conscientious objectors, and other war resisters in the struggle for peace.
Wednesdays, April 30
“There Is Another Way” Film Screening – 6:30 PM doors open, 7 PM film starts. 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan Street, Portsmouth. Hosted by Not in My Name NH; cosponsored by AFSC-NH.
Thursday, May 1
May Day! International Workers Day Celebration - 5 PM to 7 PM. NH State House. 107 N. Main Street, Concord. Hosted by Welcoming NH, AFSC NH, NH Council of Churches, NH Sierra Club. Join us at the Arches at the NH State House on International Workers Day to commemorate the immigrant workers in this country and across the world who make this state, country and world work. As we honor immigrant workers this May Day, it's imperative to recognize their unwavering commitment and the challenges they often face. Let's advocate for fair labor practices, equitable policies, and inclusive communities that uphold the dignity and rights of all workers, regardless of their origin. Today, we celebrate the strength and resilience of immigrant workers. Tomorrow, we continue our collective journey toward justice and equality for all.
Thursday, May 8
Values-Based Financial Planning - 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Do you want to make sure your values are incorporated into your retirement and other financial planning? Join us to learn about ways you can support AFSC and other organizations that are important to you. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend this webinar.
Friday, May 9
Capital Area Public Health Network Regional Convening - 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Concord Parks & Recreation Department – 14 Canterbury Rd. Concord. Hosted by Capital Area Public Health Network. Deepen understanding of CAPHN’s role and the Community Health Improvement Plan. Explore key public health priority areas through organization-led presentations. Participate in focused breakout sessions on Healthy Aging, Early Childhood, Behavioral Health, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness. Learn how policy and advocacy serve as powerful public health strategies
Network with community organizations and partners who are engaged in public health
Tuesday, May 13
Palestinian Women & the Nakba Webinar - 12 PM to 1 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC for a virtual gathering on the role of Palestinian women during the 1948 Nakba and learn how it has shaped modern Palestinian society. We will hear from Palestinian women who have kept their families’ legacies alive through storytelling, stitching, cooking, and resisting occupation and settler colonialism. Speakers will dissect how the struggle for a more feminist society and the struggle for liberation from colonialism are inherently intertwined.
Thursday, May 15
#2 Countering Christian Nationalism Community Conversation - 6 PM to 8 PM. In person (location TBD) and Zoom. Hosted by NH Council of Churches, Manchester-NAACP, American Friends Service Committee, Engage, Outright New Hampshire, Open Democracy, & more. This HYBRID event, the SECOND in a three-part series, seeks to explain the origins, tenets, and impacts of Christian nationalism, particularly in the context of New Hampshire. Co-hosted by the Countering Christian Nationalism Coalition, the event will provide attendees with knowledge to understand and address this issue in NH.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Grace Kindeke and Kathleen Wooten
AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch“ newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more.
The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke staff the New Hampshire Program which publishes this newsletter. Kathleen Wooten is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
"State House Watch" is made possible in part by a grant from the Anne Slade Frey Charitable Trust. Your donations make our work possible. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!