State House Watch: February 26, 2024

“True Islam taught me that it takes all of the religious, political, economic, psychological, and racial ingredients, or characteristics, to make the Human Family and the Human Society complete.” – Malcolm X

February 26, 2024

Hello, State House Watchers,

It is February vacation week for most New Hampshire school districts, and the state legislature is following suit, with no session days this week and very few committee hearings. We hope you can rest a bit before the busy weeks of March when session days are planned for every week, and both bodies prepare for “Crossover Day” on April 11, when all bills must be acted upon by the chamber where they were introduced. In this week’s newsletter, we’ll report on last week’s votes and other news. Later this week, once we’ve seen the new calendar, we’ll send another issue with the schedule of House and Senate votes and committee hearings for the week of March 4.

A significant highlight of last week was the decisive vote (212-168) in the House of Representatives to indefinitely postpone this year’s so-called “Right to Work” bill, HB 1377. Many thanks to all who advocated for the bill’s defeat, including those who joined union members at the State House for Thursday’s vote. Read more here.

Sadly, on the same day, the House voted (187-192) to defeat HB 1322, a bill to raise the minimum wage. This means that New Hampshire will continue to default to the federal minimum wage of$7.25/hour, the lowest in New England. Rep. Kathy Staub (D-Manchester), the bill’s prime sponsor, released the following statement: “A fair economy in New Hampshire is what Granite Staters deserve. HB 1322 rewards hard work and is an investment in the middle class.  This bill would have gradually increased the state’s minimum wage to $17 by 2029, matching the current living wage for New Hampshire. Such a raise is essential, as over 126,000 workers in the state earn less than $17 per hour, and a third of our residents struggle to make ends meet.”

Read on for more news from last week’s hearings and voting days.

Congratulations to Grace Kindeke and Fisto Ndayishimiye for being recognized by the Union Leader as two of New Hampshire’s “40 Under 40” talented young leaders! We also celebrate our friend Emmett Soldati who was honored for creating positive, welcoming community spaces and Riyah Patel, 18 years old, from Concord who founded the New American Scholars Program.

ACTION ALERTS

During this quiet week, please take a few moment to advocate on some key bills.

Support Immigrant Communities
OPPOSE SB 504, relative to land in current use. This bill would allow landowners to post signs for no trespassing except for recreation which would allow local police to arrest suspected migrants. The bill was voted OTP-A (3-2) in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and will be voted on in the full Senate on Thursday, March 7. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this bill.
OPPOSE SB 563, this year's version of the so-called "anti-sanctuary cities" bill which was voted OTP (3-2) in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Many thanks to Senators Whitley and Chandley for pushing back against the bill and for voting against it. The bill will be voted on in the full Senate on Thursday, March 7. Please contact your own Senator and urge them to defeat this anti-immigrant bill.

Support LGBTQ+ Rights and Well-Being
OPPOSE SB 341, another ‘parental bill of rights’ that would increase surveillance of LGBTQ+ students in public schools, and expose them to harm in unsupportive homes. It was voted “ought to pass as amended” by the Senate Education Committee. The full Senate will take up this bill during their session on March 7. Please contact your Senator and urge them to defeat this dangerous bill.

Support Affordable Housing
OPPOSE HB 1115, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. This bill will end the requirement that there be a just cause for eviction, including at the end of the lease period. The House Judiciary Committee will consider this bill in Executive Session on Wednesday, March 6 at 10 AM. Please contact the committee and urge them to vote ITL on this anti-tenant bill.

Protect Public Education
SUPPORT HB 1162, relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces. This bill will repeal the harmful ‘banned concepts’ law that stifles the teaching of accurate history and current discrimination. Please urge your Representatives to support the bill on the House floor on March 7.
SUPPORT HB 1512, relative to limiting EFA funding to budgeted amounts. This bill limits the amounts of funds appropriated from the education trust fund to the education freedom account program to budgeted sums. Please urge your Representatives to support the bill on the House floor on March 7.

Mark your calendars for a public hearing for the ED 306s (minimum standards for public school approval) at the State Board of Education on Wednesday April 3, from 1 PM to 3 PM, at Granite State College on Hall Street in Concord. The ED 306s will then go to the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules. Add your name to this action letter from Granite State Progress. Learn more about the ED 306 rules here.

Protect Voting Rights
Follow this Legislative Toolkit from the NH Campaign For Voting Rights to stay up to date on bills that would impact elections this session.

Recommended Reading/Listening
YES! Must-Reads: Black History Now - Explore these stories from the YES! archives to understand why Black history—and Black futures—are essential to building a better world.
Stories to Celebrate Black History Month – Stories of Black love and family, recorded by StoryCorps.

Immigration News

Readers will remember that last week Governor Sununu received approval for $850k to send National Guard troops to Texas at the behest of Republican Governor Abbott and his single-minded campaign against migrants. This has put Governor Abbott at legal odds not only with the federal government but also community aid organizations in his own state including Casa Anunciacion (Annunciation House), the oldest migrant shelter in El Paso. From El Paso Matters: “Annunciation House has kept hundreds of thousands of refugees coming through our city off the streets and given them food. The work helps serve our local businesses, our city, and immigration officials to keep people off the streets and give them a shelter while they come through our community,” he said. “If the work that Annunciation House conducts is illegal, so too is the work of our local hospitals, schools, and food banks.”

Abbot’s violent efforts have come at a high cost not only to Texas taxpayers but also to the migrants who are seeking a safe place for themselves and their families. Sununu’s willingness to invest NH taxpayer dollars in an illegal and divisive effort will not solve the problems at the southern border which were created by harmful policies over multiple Administrations, and the failure of Congress to act over several decades. Instead of buckling to the pressure to create ever more barriers that do nothing to address the root causes that lead people to seek safety at our shores, or investing funds to strengthen the immigration system’s ability to humanely process people, President Biden is instead choosing to consider measures to further restrict asylum and shut down the border. Read more here.

It is high time that President Biden listen to advocates who understand that building both a humane and an orderly immigration system is possible. Read this set of 10 recommendations from the National Immigration Justice Center that “the administration can take now – without legislative action from Congress – to further immigration policies that actually work while embracing humanity and compassion.”

Join AFSC for our monthly “Protecting Immigrant Rights in an Election Year” webinar series to learn more about how our immigration system works and what we can do to protect and advance the rights of migrants.

February 27 – Understanding Our Immigration Process
March 26 – US Border Policy
April 23 – Detention & Deportation
May 28 – Employment & Worker Rights
June 25 – Hard Conversations

Last Week at the State House

This continues to be a consequential session with regard to the well-being of marginalized people, economic security, and the strength of our essential institutions.

The prevalence of anti-transgender bills at the State House is alarming, and corresponds with efforts throughout the country to attack LGBTQ+ people and diminish their rights. Read more at InDepthNH: New Hampshire’s Bills Mirror National Trends in Anti-Trans Legislation. We are heartbroken and horrified by the death of Nex Benedict, a young person in Oklahoma who suffered fatal violence in a community that failed to see them as fully human and worthy of protection. Read more here.

Efforts are underway to codify a response to the recent Superior Court ruling in the ConVal lawsuit defining the cost of an adequate education; House members approved HB 1583 and HB 1656 last week and sent them on to House Finance for further work. Read more here.

Speaking of public education, we appreciate this op-ed by retired teacher Claudia Istel in opposition to efforts to lower standards for part-time teachers. The bill she references, HB 1298, had a public hearing last week and will be voted on in the House Education Committee during their Executive Session on March 6. Please urge the committee to recommend ITL.

We’re encouraged by the considerable attention being given to the urgent need for more affordable housing in our state, with many positive bills being advocated this year and general agreement that the crisis merits immediate and effective action. Read more in the Concord Monitor: Advocates hope to see the ‘year of housing’ in the state house.

With regard to voting rights, we’re dismayed that HB 1426, which would have created an independent redistricting advisory commission, was indefinitely postponed by the full House last week. In the House Election Law Committee last week, members heard testimony regarding HB 1557, requiring the secretary of state to enter into a membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center. Read more here. And advocates for voting rights testified against HB 1569, which would eliminate the affidavit process that currently allows people to confirm their identity with a signed document under penalty of perjury if they don’t have their identification with them on election day. Read more here.

It was a demoralizing week for immigrant rights advocates, as the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended passage of two anti-immigrant bills – SB 563, the so-called ‘anti-sanctuary cities’ bill; and SB 504 which gives local law enforcement a new tool for arresting suspected migrants. Both bills will be on the Senate floor on March 7.

In the House Health and Human Services Committee last week, members heard testimony regarding HB 1347. The bill is written as an anti-refugee bill, but the sponsor told committee members that he had intended to focus not on denying support for those who arrive through the refugee resettlement program but rather, for those who arrive as asylum seekers. You can watch the public hearing here. It's a disheartening display of misinformation, xenophobia, and carelessness. We are grateful to several Democratic committee members for their work to fact-check and reframe the issue, and to those who testified in opposition. We urge the committee to recommend defeat for this bill.

For more news about last week at the State House:
NH House passes marijuana legalization measure (Keene Sentinel)
House passes gun rights bill, defeats voluntary ‘do not sell’ list (NH Bulletin)
Changes to youth detention abuse fund could lead to hundreds of settlements, price tag unknown (NHPR)
Advisory Ethics Opinions Reveal Sticky Issues On Influencing the Legislature (InDepthNH)

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.
VV – Voice vote. Votes are not counted.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
DV – Division vote. Votes are counted but not attributed to individual legislators.

Last Week in the House
Representatives met in session on February 22 to vote on legislation. Here are the outcomes of the bills we’re tracking.

On the Consent Calendar

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW 
HB 1667-FN, relative to establishing a department for children, youth, and families. To do the work of separating out DCYF from DHHS would require a considerable amount of money and would be better spent in further strengthening the staff at DCYF. Inexpedient to Legislate: MA DV (192-174). 

COMMERCE 
HB 1207, relative to single-use disposable plastic foodware accessories. This bill prohibits certain food service facilities from having self serve/self-service disposable plastic foodware accessory dispensers, and from providing or offering disposable plastic foodware accessories to any customer, except upon request of that customer. Referred for Interim Study by VV
HB 1406, relative to gender-based pricing of goods and services. This bill prohibits price discrimination based upon to whom goods or services are marketed and establishes a mechanism for enforcement. ITL by VV 
HB 1636, creating a New Hampshire container deposit, refund, recycle and reuse system. It establishes a producer responsibility organization (PRO) to implement a beverage container recycling redemption refund program to issue redemption refunds to consumers for beverage containers. Referred for Interim Study by VV

CRIMINAL JUSTICE 
HB 1337, relative to the return of weapons and ammunition upon expiration of protective orders. This bill changes the burden to the plaintiff to file a request for a hearing prior to the expiration of a protective order or else any and all firearms, ammunition, or specified deadly weapons will be returned to the defendant. This bill further removes the prohibition that law enforcement agencies shall not release firearms, ammunition, or specified deadly weapons without a court order, and removes the authorization for law enforcement agencies to charge the defendant a fee for the storage of the firearms, ammunition, and specified deadly weapons. This bill further removes the subsection providing law enforcement agencies release from liability for damage or deterioration to the firearms, ammunition, or specified deadly weapons stored. ITL by VV
HB 1428, relative to inmate illness or emergency. This bill requires any correctional facility housing an inmate to be responsible for the transport to and security over an inmate that needs to be taken to a medical facility. Refer for interim study HB 1462, This bill establishes reporting requirements for hate-based crimes. Referred for interim study by VV.
HB 1566, relative to the review of police investigations. This bill provides a method for local or county governmental bodies to request an independent investigation by the state police of a local police department investigation. Referred for interim study by VV.

EDUCATION
HB 1153, relative to mandatory and elective public school curricula. This bill requires mandatory "anti-communist" curricula and establishes elective curricula for public schools. ITL by VV.

ENVIRONMENT 
HB 1294, relative to prohibiting the state of New Hampshire from enforcing the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency. This bill states that the federal Environmental Protection Agency has no constitutional validity in this state, and requires that the New Hampshire department of environmental services provide for all environmental protections. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION 
HB 1454, relative to benefits for New Hampshire child care employees. This bill allows licensed childcare providers to opt into the state health insurance plan. ITL by VV
HB 1597, relative to the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount. This bill modifies the formula to calculate unemployment benefits. Referred for interim study by VV
HB 1668, relative to establishing a 4-day work week. This bill mandates a regular work week of 32 hours in four 8-hour days. ITL by VV

RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT 
HB 1114, extending for 5 years the commission to investigate and analyze the environmental and public health impacts relating to releases of perfluorinated chemicals in the air, soil, and groundwater in Merrimack, Bedford, Londonderry, and Litchfield. OTP-A by VV

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY 
HB 1644, requiring the department of energy to initiate a proceeding and conduct an investigation of the benefits and key considerations regarding support for clean or non-carbon emitting power generation, and report to the legislature in one year. Laid on Table by VV

STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
HB 1485, establishing a committee to study the totality of circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 epidemic. Referred for interim study by VV
HR 22, urging Congress to remove the exception from the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution: "except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." OTP by VV

WAYS AND MEANS 
CACR 18, regarding the tax exempt status of churches. This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution adds an amendment specifying that churches, religious organizations, and houses of worship are subject to state and local taxes. ITL
HB 1422, This bill reduces the rates of the business profits tax, business enterprise tax, and meals and rooms tax. It also reduces and subsequently repeals the communications services tax. Referred for interim study by VV

On the Regular Calendar

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW 
HB 1573, relative to oversight of and criteria for residential placement of children. This bill revises criteria for the out-of-home placement of children and increases oversight and certification criteria for out-of-state residential treatment programs. The bill also expands the definition of abuse or neglect under RSA 169-C to include a child in certain residential placements. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.

COMMERCE 
HB 1633, relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor. This bill establishes procedures for the legalization, regulation, and taxation of cannabis; the licensing and regulation of cannabis establishments; and makes appropriations therefor. OTP-A by DV (239-141). Referred to Finance.
HB 1649, relative to prohibiting certain products with intentionally added PFAS. This bill restricts the use of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in certain consumer products sold in New Hampshire. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY 
HB 1339, relative to department of safety firearm background checks. This bill requires the department of safety to be responsible for conducting the required firearm background checks for federal firearm licensees through NICS for all firearm transfers. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.

EDUCATION 
HB 1128, relative to the definition of a scholarship organization for purposes of the education tax credit. This bill provides that, for purposes of the education tax credit, a qualifying scholarship organization shall be incorporated in this state. Indefinitely postponed by RC (191-187).
HB 1288, establishing certain due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members facing disciplinary actions by state institutions of higher learning. OTP-A by RC (192-185). Referred to Finance.
HB 1517, relative to the statewide education property tax and excess revenue from games of chance. This bill annually reduces the state education property tax by the amount of revenue paid to the state through games of chance in excess of the estimated amount paid in the 2023 fiscal year. OTP-A by RC (196-184). Referred to Ways and Means.
HB 1583, relative to the per pupil cost of an opportunity for an adequate education. This bill increases the base annual cost of providing an opportunity for an adequate education. OTP-A by DV (228-150). Referred to Finance.
HB 1675, adjusting the amounts of grants for adequate education by reducing the amount calculated for pupils who test below proficiency levels on the statewide proficiency exam in the previous year. ITL by VV
HB 1686, requiring that all of the proceeds of the statewide education property tax be spent by municipalities on the funding of a constitutionally adequate education or be remitted to the state for deposit in the education trust fund. This bill also prohibits the department of revenue administration from setting negative local or county tax rates. Laid on table by DV (193-181).

ELECTION LAW 
HB 1426, establishing an advisory commission on redistricting. Indefinitely postponed, by RC (192-186).
HB 1466, authorizing disaster relief aid for municipalities that suffer certain damage in natural disasters. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.
HB 1647, relative to the calculation of group II retirement benefits in the retirement system. This bill modifies the group II members retirement annuity multipliers for the New Hampshire retirement system. The bill makes an appropriation to the retirement system therefor. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
HB 1178, requiring an employer to pay an employee for unused earned time. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.
HB 1322, increasing the minimum hourly rate, increases the base rate for tipped employees, and adjusts both rates annually based on the most recent 12-month average of the Consumer Price Index. This bill increases the minimum hourly rate, increases the base rate for tipped employees, and adjusts both rates annually based on the most recent 12-month average of the Consumer Price Index. Indefinitely postponed by DV (193-187).
HB 1377, relative to granting workers free choice to join or refrain from joining labor unions. This bill prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union. Indefinitely postponed by RC (212-168).
HB 1522, updatin the weekly benefit amount for total unemployment and maximum total amount of benefits payable during any benefit year. Laid on table by VV.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY 
HB 1465, relative to studies of nuclear energy technologies. This bill requires the department of energy to coordinate the continuing studies by various state agencies on the uses and development of nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear reactors. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.
HB 1472, relative to rebates of energy efficiency funds for electric vehicles. This bill dedicates $3,000,000 from proceeds from the energy efficiency fund to be used by the department of energy to develop a pilot program for a "cash on the hood" program for point-of-sale electric vehicle rebates to buyers. ITL by VV.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CHILDCARE
HB 1611, establishing a child care workforce fund. OTP-A by DV (195-169).

Last week in the Senate
Senators met in session on February 21 to vote on legislation. Here are the outcomes of the bills we’re tracking.

On the Regular Calendar

EDUCATION 
SB 342, establishing a new school district building aid funding program using state funds allocated to each district and makes an appropriation therefor. OTP-A by VV. Referred to Finance.

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS 
SB 489, relative to election audits. This bill requires the secretary of state to conduct audits of a certain percentage of ballot counting devices to be used at state primary and general elections. OTP-A by VV.
SB 490, changing the verification of the checklist from every 10 years to every 2 years. OTP-A by VV.
SB 491, authorizing municipalities to enter into voluntary agreements with owners of private roads. OTP-A by VV.
SB 530, making provisions for the reporting of receipts and expenditures filed by political committees of candidates and candidates. OTP-A by VV.
SB 552, relative to lapse of funds from the education trust fund. This bill requires that amounts which exceed $175 million in the education trust fund at the close of a fiscal year shall be transferred to a dedicated fund to be expended on teacher shortage and teacher retention programs. It also creates a legislative advisory group to provide advice and consent for the use of such funds. Referred for interim study by RC (14-10).

This Week in the House
There will be no session day during the week of February 26, when most schools are on vacation. The next session day is scheduled for Thursday, March 7.

This Week in House Committees
There are very few House committee hearings this week, and none on bills that we’re tracking. Later this week, we’ll have a full House committee schedule for the week of March 4.

This Week in the Senate
There is no session day this week in the Senate. The next session day is scheduled for Thursday, March 7 at 10 AM. You can watch it here. Later this week, we’ll share the bills that will be up for a vote on the consent and regular calendars during the March 7 session.

This Week in Senate Committees
There are no Senate committee hearings this week on bills that we’re tracking. Later this week, we’ll have a full Senate committee schedule for the week of March 4.

Upcoming Events & Actions

Are you, or do you know, a social justice minded young person, aged 18-22, who wants to learn about community organizing with AFSC? Consider applying for AFSC’s 3rd annual Emerging Leaders for Liberation cohort! Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2024. You can read here about the recently concluded 2nd cohort, which included New Hampshire community leader Bol Nakdimo!

Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire now! Humanitarian access to Gaza! No tax dollars for war crimes! – Join us from 2 PM to 3 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action, AFSC & interfaith partners.
February 28: Congressman Chris Pappas – Dover District Office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover, NH

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. Hosted by AFSC. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.

Monday, February 26
Peace & Justice Conversations: Iran & The Mid-East Turmoil - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action. The current Israeli attacks on the Palestinians have already spilled over into neighboring countries. The U.S. has now bombed Yemen. The stark possibility that Iran will be pulled into this war is looming larger and larger. Over forty years of U.S.-Iran tensions may soon reach their breaking point, along with other political realities in the region. Jamal Abdi will join us to help us understand the history and implications of the current crisis.

Tuesday, February 27
Understanding our Immigration Process - 7 PM. Hosted by AFSC. In this session we'll look at what pathways exist for migrants to enter the U.S. lawfully under current laws, and discuss the challenges that arise for those in different situations. We will walk through the process and have a time for conversation about our vision for a process that would ensure that all migrants are treated with dignity and respect regardless of circumstance.

Thursday, February 29
Local Solutions Webinar Series: YIMBYism: A Different Approach to Development - 12 PM. Hosted by ODP. This presentation will focus on how two different communities worked to not only change their zoning ordinances, but also their approaches to development, focusing more on working with applicants to help them fit their proposals to their respective zoning ordinance.

February to March
Finding Your Place in the Climate Justice Movement – Hosted by 350 NH. We're calling this a training series but really what we want is to bring all of our community members together so we can make a greater impact on the climate justice issues we face. All are welcome to join us for one or all of the Zoom calls and the in-person sessions:
Mar 5 at 6:30 PM - Climate and Militarism (Zoom)
Mar 23 at 10 AM - Finding Your Story in the Climate Movement (In person, Concord, TBA)

February to April 
Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks 2024: A New Deal for a Great Society - Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH in Portsmouth, Keene, Nashua. Registration is open for the 2024 annual Elinor William Hooker Tea Talks. This year's program will explore how two federal programs geared toward building a more just society -- Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" and Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" -- played out in New Hampshire. We will ask what impact these programs had on our state and what happens now when changing demographics meet programs designed during the New Deal and Great Society. February talks will be held in Portsmouth, the March talk in Keene, and the April talk in Nashua. 

Mar 10 - Equity and Adequacy: Public Education in NH 
Apr 21 - Envisioning the Future

Sunday, March 3
Remembering Selma in NH: Past, Present & Future – 2:30 PM. Hosted by Open Democracy, AFSC NH & partners. NEP House of Praise, 245 Maple St. Manchester. Join us to learn more about our history, and ways you can support current efforts to sustain and expand the gains of the Civil Rights era and ensure that voting remains inclusive and accessible to all NH citizens. We will gather at 100 Granite Street, Manchester, have a short introduction and prayer by Pastor Renee Rouse and march across the Granite Street Bridge and back.  We'll then proceed with a car rally to the Valley St. jail and from there we will head to NEP House of Praise to enjoy lunch and hear stories from members of our community who will share their reflections on the past, present and future impacts of the march in Selma and the fight to preserve every citizen’s right to vote.

Monday, March 4
Manchester Housing Alliance Meeting - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by Rights & Democracy. Once Monthly, we meet to discuss local housing policies to make sure that Manchester is a place everybody can afford to live. Join to find out how to get involved at the local level to push Manchester elected officials to take action on the Housing crisis

Friday, March 8 
Parent/Caregiver Support Group – 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by Seacoast Outright. Part of supporting LGBTQ+ youth is making sure their own familial networks have the support and information they need! The Parent Support Group is an opportunity for caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth to connect in an empathetic and casual setting. Email Christine at christine.s@seacoastoutright.org to sign up and for more information about these hybrid meetings.

Sunday, March 10
An Evening with NH Secretary of State Scanlan - 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Hosted by Hillsborough County Democratic Committee. Join us for a discussion with Secretary Scanlan about campaign finance, election law and processes ahead of the 2024 elections. If you would like to submit a question ahead of time, please email it to hcdccomunications@gmail.com.

Monday, March 14
NH Healthcare Survey- Kick-Off Event - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Hosted by Rights & Democracy. Join us and other healthcare advocates across the state for an exciting Kick-Off Event for the New Hampshire Healthcare Survey. We'll have a short presentation about the status of healthcare in NH and why we are facilitating this survey and we'll also walk you through the survey folks can fill out the survey, share it with friends, and join us for outreach phone calls and sharing the survey link with friends and families.

Tuesday, March 19
Introduction to Deep Canvassing: The Proven Method to Change Hearts & Minds - 6 PM. Hosted by People’s Action. Are you an organizer, community leader, or activist looking to engage with your community around deeply polarizing issues? Are you an individual hoping to understand how to have compassionate, non-judgmental conversations across lines of difference? Join The Deep Canvass Institute to learn more about deep canvassing; what it is, how it’s used and why it works.

State House 101 - 7 PM. Hosted by 603 Forward. Have you ever considered running for stat office? We'll take you through what to expect as a potential State Representative and why this role is so important. We'll also feature a panel of young elected leaders to talk about their experience serving as a State Representative.

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. Subscribe today to receive State House Watch news every week!

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. Read our 2023 highlights here. Kathleen Wooten is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.

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!