“To refuse to participate in the shaping of our future is to give it up. Do not be misled into passivity either by false security (they don’t mean me) or by despair (there’s nothing we can do). Each of us must find our work and do it. Militancy no longer means guns at high noon, if it ever did. It means actively working for change, sometimes in the absence of any surety that change is coming. It means doing the unromantic and tedious work necessary to forge meaningful coalitions, and it means recognizing which coalitions are possible and which coalitions are not. It means knowing that coalition, like unity, means the coming together of whole, self-actualized human beings, focused and believing, not fragmented automatons marching to a prescribed step. It means fighting despair.” – Audre Lorde, “Learning from the 60s” (1982)
Happy February vacation, State House Watchers!
The House and Senate are on break this week (February 24-28), as are most New Hampshire schools. There are no session days, but some committees continue to work, including the House Finance Committee where the state budget is a top priority. Our team is taking a bit of a breather too, but we’ll keep our eyes on any developments. There’s a little over a month to go until Crossover Day (March 27 in the Senate, and April 10 in the House), when all bills must be acted upon by the body in which they originated, and those that are approved cross over to the other body.
Under the Dome
First, some good news. We are glad to see HB 458, which would have limited eligibility for local assistance to only U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, has been retained in committee, which means it’s not likely to move forward this year. We will keep a careful watch in case the language from this bad bill ends up in the budget or returns in the second year of the legislative session.
Last Wednesday, advocates showed up strong against HB 148, which would roll back some of the protections passed in 2018, opening the door to discrimination against transgender people in public spaces, including restrooms in schools and businesses. Read more here and here. From Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director of Seacoast Outright: “Who and how will we evaluate if someone is using the correct bathroom? We are concerned this bill mandates discrimination against transgender students by preventing them from using the restroom that best aligns with their gender identity. Our ‘live free or die’ NH ethos has always prioritized individual liberty and supporting what each citizen needs to live free. This bill is not the NH way.”
We applaud that the House Education Policy and Administration committee has recommended defeat for HB 662 and HB 730, bills that would respectively require showing anti-abortion propaganda videos in public schools and require colleges and universities to give adoption information any time STIs, STDs, or contraception are discussed. Both bills will now go to the full House to be voted on after the break.
It was disappointing to read Governor Ayotte’s recent directive to the Department of Corrections to revert back to dehumanizing language and only refer to incarcerated individuals as “inmates”. Read more here. From Ophelia Burnett, NH Healing Justice Program Associate:
“This kind of language reinforces negative stereotypes and perpetuates a view that overlooks their individuality, experiences, and potential for change. Changing our language can change society….Using kinder words creates a fairer society that values people for who they are, not just for their mistakes.”
Beyond the Dome
This week, activists raised their voices in protest against the Trump administration’s inhumane and blatantly unconstitutional policy actions. Arnie Alpert reported from some of the President’s Day actions including the “Not My President” Day protest organized by the NH 50501 group: “Grace Mattern, a resident of Northwood, was blunt. ‘There’s a coup going on, and not enough is being done about it,’ she said. ‘People are dying. They’re already dying because of this. It’s so heartless and cruel and stupid.’”
In Manchester, leaders from the Congolese community and allies staged a protest outside of City Hall to call attention to the escalating violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the US’s responsibility to address the conflict. Read more here and here. Learn more about the generations-long conflict here. From Grace Kindeke, AFSC-NH Program Coordinator: “The DRC has grappled with decades of destabilization from external powers, armed conflict fueled by the exploitation of natural resources, and human rights violations. Countless lives have been lost due to violence, preventable diseases and lack of access to clean water, healthcare, and food. Millions of people have been displaced, forced to migrate to distant nations including the U.S. where they are met with discrimination, detention and deportation.”
Join NH Free Congo for a presentation at 2 PM on Saturday, March 22 at Peterborough Library to learn more about the war and how to call on our elected leaders to add their voice to the global call for peace and an end to the violence.
The relentless assault against immigrant communities continues. The President has kept himself busy by ordering the suspension of legal services for unaccompanied minors, and using racist, hateful reasoning to cut short Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Venezuela, leaving hundreds of thousands of people vulnerable to deportation and trafficking. A lawsuit has been filed. Read more here and here.
From an opinion piece by Jonathan P. Baird: “The exact same scapegoating that happened to Jews in the early 20th century is happening to those categorized as “illegal immigrants” today. Trump falsely says other countries are emptying out their jails and asylums. Instead of striving to understand why so many people have sought to enter the US, Trump unfairly slanders immigrants and fast-tracks them for mass deportation.”
ACTION ALERTS
Please take action to support/oppose these key bills that are coming up soon.
A note about contacting committees: 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!
Contact our Members of Congress
Oppose H.R. 32, the so-called "No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act." The bill grants any president the broad authority to block federal funding from "sanctuary" jurisdictions for essential services that impact all members of our communities, including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. To learn more, please read this explainer from the National Immigration Law Center. We expect H.R. 32 to move in the House the week of February 24.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen https://shaheen.senate.gov, (202) 224-2841
Sen. Maggie Hassan https://hassan.senate.gov, (202) 224-3324
Rep. Chris Pappas https://pappas.house.gov/contact, (202) 225-5456
Rep. Maggie Goodlander https://goodlander.house.gov/contact, (202) 225-5206
Tuesday, February 25
Support HB 363, establishing redistricting criteria. This positive bill has a public hearing in House Election Law Committee, Room 306-308, LOB on Tuesday, February 25 at 9:20 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.
Support HB 600, enabling ranked-choice voting for municipal elections. This positive bill has a public hearing in House Election Law Committee, Room 306-308, LOB on Tuesday, February 25 at 1 PM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.
Support HB 521, authorizing online voter registration. This positive bill has a public hearing in House Election Law Committee, Room 306-308, LOB on Tuesday, February 25 at 3:10 PM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.
Oppose HB 356, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. This bill has a public hearing in House Election Law Committee, Room 306-308, LOB on Tuesday, February 25 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.
Oppose HB 220, closing the presidential or state primary of political parties. This bill closes the political primaries to voters that have not declared a party unless the party specifically adopts rules to allow such voters to cast a vote. It has a public hearing in House Election Law Committee, Room 306-308, LOB on Tuesday, February 25 at 3:30 PM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste the committee emails.
Monday, March 3
Support HB 611-FN, abolishing recoupment procedures regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants. This bill would do away with the provision requiring people to reimburse the state for use of a public defender, a process that is more expensive to administer compared to what is collected. It is scheduled for an executive session in House Judiciary, Room 206-208 LOB on Monday, March 3 at 11 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 and urge them to support this bill.
Oppose HB 148, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances. This terrible bill would authorize discrimination against transgender people. It is scheduled for an executive session in House Judiciary, Room 206-208 LOB on Monday, March 3 at 11 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 and urge them to recommend defeat for this bill.
Tuesday, March 4
Oppose SB 96 relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. This forced outing bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Education Committee, Room 101 LOB, on Tuesday, March 4 at 9 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Oppose SB 211 relative to biological sex in student athletics. This harmful bill would expand the sports ban against trans students in colleges and universities. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Education Committee, Room 101 LOB, on Tuesday, March 4 at 9:30 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to oppose and share testimony.
Wednesday, March 5
Support CACR 2, relating to the drawing of district boundaries, providing that no district boundaries shall be drawn in a way that favors or disfavors any political party or candidate. This positive bill has a public hearing in House Election Law Committee, Room 306-308, LOB on Wednesday, March 5 at 9 AM. Please contact the committee, sign in to support and share testimony. You can use this link to copy and paste their emails.
Support HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program. It is scheduled for an executive session in the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee, LOB Room 202-204 on Wednesday, March 5 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 and urge them to support this bill.
Lastly…
Support HB 50, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces. This positive bill provides that no education law of this state shall be construed to bar any school employee from teaching the historical or current experiences of any group that is protected from discrimination. An executive session has not been scheduled yet. 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 and urge them to support this bill.
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 met in session on February 20. Here are the outcomes of bills we’re tracking.
On the Consent Calendar
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 103, relative to fugitives from justice. ITL by VV.
HB 196-FN, relative to annulling, resentencing, or discontinuing prosecution of certain cannabis offenses. OTP-A by VV.
HB 506-FN, relative to background checks during motions to return firearms and ammunition. OTP-A by VV.
HB 777, codifying the law enforcement accreditation commission. OTP by VV.
EDUCATION FUNDING
HB 750-FN, relative to making incentive grants for school districts that improve in certain assessment scores. This bill would transfer $1 million from the Education Trust Fund to the Department of Education (DOE) for the Commissioner of Education to award to school districts that improve on mathematics test scores in statewide assessments. ITL by VV.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 283, relative to the list of subjects that comprise an adequate education. ITL by VV.
HB 388, requiring local school boards to issue public reports on special education in their district. ITL by VV.
HB 415-FN, removing requirements that schools provide menstrual products in restrooms. ITL by VV.
HB 671-FN-A, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. OTP by VV.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 534-FN, relative to the calculation of average final compensation under the retirement system. ITL by VV.
HOUSING
HB 309-FN, relative to making electronic rent payments optional. OTP-A by VV.
JUDICIARY
HB 376, specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right-to-know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status. OTP by VV.
HR 6, condemning the judicial doctrine of “disparate impact”. ITL by VV.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
HB 407, setting a minimum threshold for the adoption of town and school budgets and spending items for towns using a ballot to select such methods during town meeting. ITL by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HB 169-FN, relative to a quorum of the public utilities commission. ITL by DV, 203-160.
HB 504, relative to the state energy policy. OTP-A by RC, 204-165.
HB 682, This bill removes the office of offshore wind industry development from the office of energy innovation; repeals the offshore wind industry workforce training center committee and the offshore and port development commission, moves the grid modernization advisory council and the hydrogen advisory council to the office of energy innovation. OTP by RC, 206-163.
WAYS AND MEANS
HB 255-FN, increasing the percentage of revenue deposited in the education trust fund from the business profits tax. ITL by DV, 341-29.
HB 318-FN, relative to the percentage of revenue from the business enterprise tax deposited in the education trust fund. ITL by DV, 340-28.
HB 502, relative to complete corporate reporting for unitary businesses under the business profits tax and revenues from the state education property tax. ITL by RC, 209-163.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
HB 56-FN, requiring a background check and mandatory waiting period during certain firearm transfers. ITL by RC, 216-154.
HB 75-FN, legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older. OTP by VV.
HB 207-FN, relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, sling shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors. OTP by RC, 207-162.
HB 352-FN, prohibiting possession of a firearm at a polling place. ITL by RC, 211-161.
EDUCATION FUNDING
HB 494, relative to the math learning communities program, and making an appropriation therefor. OTP-A by VV.
HB 716-FN, making an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. OTP-A by VV.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
HB 76-FN, relative to tracking special education complaints. OTP by DV, 208-161.
ELECTION LAW
HB 107, relative to political advertising printed in newspapers, periodicals, or billboards. OTP by DV, 209-162.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 53, permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use. OTP-A by RC, 328-42.
JUDICIARY
HB 66, relative to material subject to disclosure under the right to know law. OTP-A by DV, 321-48.
HB 80, allowing a public body member's presence at a meeting by electronic or other means of communication only if physical presence is unavoidable and providing that physical presence is necessary for voting. OTP-A by DV, 188-181.
HB 111-FN, extending the position of right-to-know ombudsman for 2 years. OTP-A by VV.
Last week in the Senate
The Senate did not meet in session this past week.
Coming Up in the House
The next House session is scheduled for Thursday, March 6 at 10 AM. Additional session days are planned for Thursday, March 13 and March 20.
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 committee members here.
Tuesday, February 25
ELECTION LAW, Room 306-308, LOB
9:00 AM CACR 2, relating to the drawing of district boundaries. Providing that no district boundaries shall be drawn in a way that favors or disfavors any political party or candidate.
9:20 AM HB 363, establishing redistricting criteria.
10:00 AM HB 356, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections.
10:20 AM HB 590, relative to cooperative school district school board elections.
10:40 AM HB 367, changing the method for adopting partisan town elections to be the same as rescinding partisan town elections.
11:00 AM HB 481, relative to moving the state primary date.
11:20 AM HB 408, moving the date of the state primary to the fourth Tuesday in August.
1:00 PM HB 600-FN, enabling ranked-choice voting for municipal elections.
2:10 PM HB 333, requiring moderators to designate a space for electioneering at polling places and provide a schematic thereof.
2:50 PM HB 409-FN, relative to fee structures for election recounts.
3:10 PM HB 521-FN, authorizing online voter registration.
3:30 PM HB 220-FN, closing the presidential or state primary of political parties.
Wednesday, February 26
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM Continued executive session on HB 59-FN, relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer; HB 159-FN, authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for confiscation of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities; HB 592-FN, relative to magistrates and the standards applicable to and the administration of bail.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 205-207, LOB
10:30 AM HR 16, recognizing the essential contributions of frontline health workers in assisting the state to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and urging greater attention and support for local frontline health workers.
1:00 PM HB 455, relative to reports by the department of health and human services regarding
Medicaid enhancement for children and pregnant women.
Thursday, February 27
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301-303, LOB
9:00 AM HB 200, relative to the procedure for overriding a local tax cap.
10:40 AM HB 284-FN, requiring tax impact statements on municipal warrant articles.
11:10 AM HB 495-FN, requiring cities and towns to provide a breakdown of tax changes and information on bills sent to residents.
1:00 PM HB 613, relative to enabling local political subdivisions to vote and set a reduced default budget option.
1:45 PM HB 475-L, relative to the reductions from the default budget for official ballot town meetings.
3:30 PM HB 124, enabling a city or town forest committee to offer surplus money to the town for deposit in the city or town general fund.
Monday, March 3
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION , Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM HB 748-FN, establishing a local education freedom account program.
1:00 PM Executive session on HB 384-FN, prohibiting bullying in schools; HB 667-FN, relative to health education and requiring the viewing of certain videos demonstrating gestational development from embryo to fetus through birth by public school students and college or university students; HB 748-FN, establishing a local education freedom account program; HB 781-FN, requiring school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education, and making an appropriation therefor.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
11:00 a.m. Executive session on HB 611-FN, abolishing recoupment procedures regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants; HB 615-FN, relative to drug forfeiture proceedings; CACR 7, relating to the presumption of innocence. Providing that in all cases and suits of the state against one of the people, the defendant shall be innocent unless proven guilty; HB 88-FN, establishing community property trusts; HB 148, permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances; HB 199, extending the statute of limitation on civil actions relative to damage caused by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); HB 232-FN, relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals; HB 254-FN, relative to options for end of life care.
Tuesday, March 4
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206-208, LOB
11:00 AM Executive session on HB 10-FN, establishing the parental bill of rights; HB 285-FN, relative to determination of parental rights and responsibilities.
Wednesday, March 5
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
10:00 AM Executive session on HB 185-FN, relative to reimbursement rates for ambulance service providers; HB 186-FN-A, relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM Executive session on HB 102-FN, relative to oversight of federal law enforcement actions; HB 190-FN, relative to therapeutic cannabis possession limits; HB 191-FN, providing criminal and civil penalties for the recruitment, harboring, or transporting of a pregnant, unemancipated minor in order to obtain an abortion without parental permission; HB 198-FN, relative to legalizing certain quantities of cannabis and establishing penalties for the smoking or vaping of cannabis in public; HB 206-FN, relative to government agent entries into secured premises; HB 343, relative to reporting regarding the northern border alliance program.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM Executive session on HB 121-FN, establishing local school district special education parent advisory councils; HB 360, prohibiting public schools from performing diagnostic tests or surgical procedures, or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs; HB 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools; HB 709-FN, allowing parents or guardians to admit their children into any school district where they pay any property or school district taxes.
1:00 PM HB 555-FN, relative to required holocaust and genocide study requirements for an adequate public education.
1:30 PM HB 231, prohibiting school district personnel from transporting students to medical procedures without parental consent.
2:45 PM HB 324-FN, relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM HB 610-FN, relative to repealing the office of the consumer advocate.
11:00 AM CACR 1, relating to the governor. Providing that there be a lieutenant governor who shall assume the duties of the governor if the governor is incapacitated.
1:30 PM HB 161, changing the membership of the New Hampshire commission on Native American affairs.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9:00 AM HB 520, relative to authorizing hearing officers of the department of education to issue subpoenas.
1:00 PM HCR 11, declaring the directives of the judicial branch in the Claremont cases that the legislative and executive branches define an “adequate education,” adopt “standards of accountability,” and “guarantee adequate funding” of a public education are not binding on the legislative and executive branches.
Coming up in the Senate
The Senate did not publish a calendar this 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 committee members here.
Recommendations
Stay up to date on the NH state budget with the 2025 state budget webinar series hosted by the NH Fiscal Policy Institute. Watch the recording of their most recent overview of the Governor’s budget proposal here.
Share your experiences with the New Hampshire LGBTQ+ Coalition, supported by ACLU NH and New Hampshire Outright. This landscape assessment of the LGBTQ+ community in NH will help the coalition develop a deeper understanding of the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the state and to inform future actions and advocacy strategies. This anonymous survey is open to anyone who lives in New Hampshire and identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Find it here.
Are you a young person between the ages of 18-22? Join AFSC’s Emerging Leaders for Liberation (ELL) 2025 cohort! This program is designed for young people from across the US who are engaged with AFSC’s programs and are interested in strengthening their social justice knowledge and organizing skills. Apply today!
Upcoming Events[GK1]
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 February 26 vigil will be at Pappas’ office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover. The March 5 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.
Tuesday, February 25
Lessons from Anti-Apartheid Struggles: Past and Present - 12 PM to 1 PM. Hosted by AFSC. From the United States to South Africa to Palestine, anti-apartheid movements have mobilized communities to rise up against legal systems of racial injustice and oppression. Join us for a conversation with anti-apartheid activists and liberation theologians Rev. Wendell Griffen, Rev. Dr. Allan Boesak, and Palestinian activist Ms. Shadia Qubti about the contours of apartheid across countries, how anti-apartheid movements can learn from one another, and how we can continue to build international solidarity to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes against the Palestinian people like we do other apartheid regimes.
Second Annual Black History Month Social Justice Celebration - 2 PM to 4 PM. 77 Northeastern Blvd, Nashua. Hosted by Harbor Care. Join us for a discussion on health, housing, and community building! Our theme this year is Inspiring Community Resilience. You'll hear from inspirational NH leaders who have dedicated their careers to others, get to savor midafternoon appetizers from SOEL Sistas, and enjoy music.
Strengthening Renters' Rights: A Primer on State & Local Tenant Protections Webinar Series – 2 PM. Hosted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Join us to hear from a broad range of speakers, including tenant advocates and legal service providers who will share specific campaigns, resources, and efforts to advance state and local tenant protections.
Deep Canvass Institute 101: How to Have a Deep Canvass Conversation - 6 PM. Hosted by People’s Action. The Deep Canvass Institute is offering this 101 training where you will be trained in the core skills needed to have deep canvass conversations. Deep canvassing is about working to create mutual understanding grounded in stories and lived experience, instead of in debate or talking points.
National Reparations Awareness Day Event - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by New England N’COBRA. Join us to hear speakers present updates on Reparations actions in several New England states. After our speakers we will have time for discussion.
BWINH Collective Informational Session - 7 PM. Hosted by Black Womxn in NH Collective. Many of us are looking for ways to mobilize and organize so we can be a strong support system for each other in these trying times. If you're ready to take action, we invite you to join us for an informational session to learn more about our collective and how you can be part of this movement. We are growing our collective and looking for diverse voices to join us in our work to build a resilient Black community.
Wednesday, February 26
Media Team Volunteer Meeting - 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Hosted by 350 NH. If you're looking for a way to support the mission of 350NH and are excited to support research, writing, and editing tasks specifically, please join this volunteer meeting! Climate deniers in NH write op-eds in the paper that sometimes don't get a response. The issues we care about don't always get covered. In this volunteer meeting we will talk about how we can coordinate efforts to address misinformation and respond to important issues in New Hampshire through letters to the editor and other means. Getting our messages in front of more NH residents is critical in this moment.
Landfills’ Impacts on Public Health, Quality of Life & Climate Change - 6 PM. Hosted by NH Healthy Climate, NH Network for Environment, Energy & Climate and the Connecticut Health Professionals for Climate Action. Join us for a talk with Eliot Wessler, a retired economist and longtime environmental advocate.
Know Your Rights & Rapid Response Training – 6:30 PM. Hosted by the Party for Socialism & Liberation & AFSC NH. Join us for a training (in English & Spanish) from longtime NH immigrant rights activist Eva Castillo about how we can defend ourselves and our communities against ICE. Registration required.
Friday, March 7
Advocacy 101 Full Day Training - 9 AM to 4 PM. 100 N Main St Fl 4, Concord. Hosted by New Futures. Join us for a full-day session in our office in Concord! Our in-person Advocacy 101 trainings provide an in-depth look into the NH state legislature and how a bill becomes a law followed by a tour of the state house! The day also includes a session on the power of a personal story and working sessions where you craft your advocacy message. Lunch is provided!
Sunday, March 9-16
2025 Witness Response - Hosted by Witness at the Border. Join us for our second Workshop for Justice and a short ‘Journey’ to be held March 9-16, 2025. The Journey will begin in San Antonio on March 9th, we will travel to Eagle Pass (2 nights), El Paso (2 nights) and to Ajo. The Workshop will be held in Ajo, AZ, on March 14-16. We are still forming the agenda specifics and leaving ourselves flexible to respond to anticipated changes in immigration policy.
Sunday, March 16
Countering Christian Nationalism – 4 PM to 6 PM. This hybrid event, the first 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 NH Council of Churches, Manchester-NAACP, NH Outright, Engage, NH Peace Action, 603 Equality, and American Friends Service Committee. To attend via Zoom, one must register here.
Saturday, March 22
Congolese Community of NH End the Genocide Presentation - 2 PM. Peterborough Town Library - 2 Concord Street, Peterborough. Hosted by Peterborough Town Library. Join F. Noel Sagna, Djems Kwembe, and Lois Numbi, as they shine a light on the genocide taking place in The Republic Democratic of Congo (DRC) and share ways we can raise our voices to end the violence.
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!