Photo credit: The King Center
“Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I am convinced that love is the most durable power in the world. It is not an expression of impractical idealism, but of practical realism. Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, love is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization. To return hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe. Someone must have sense enough and religion enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil, and this can only be done through love.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy Martin Luther King weekend, State House Watchers!
We hope you’ve had a good week, and that you are staying healthy. It seems clear that extra precautions are needed these days as cases and hospitalizations for COVID and other respiratory illnesses are on the increase.
We’re looking forward to a joyful weekend of celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King. We hope to see many of you at various gatherings throughout the state, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coalition event on Monday from 1 PM to 4 PM at Memorial High School in Manchester. Scroll down for a list of special activities and find inspiration during these challenging times. We appreciate this historical overview of the 20-year campaign for the King holiday in New Hampshire published in today’s Granite Post. Check out more history from the AFSC archives.
Remember to make sure your friends and colleagues subscribe here to receive State House Watch news every week. We all need some help to stay on top of what’s going on in Concord so that we can make our voices heard at key moments.
ACTION ALERTS
Support Immigrant Communities
OPPOSE HB 1110 relative to requiring certain employers to use the federal E-Verify system of the Department of Homeland Security. Please join us on Thursday, January 18 at 11 AM in House Labor (Room 307, LOB) to testify against this faulty and unnecessary bill. Sign in to oppose, and contact the committee. For a good overview of the longstanding problems with E-Verify, we recommend this resource from the ACLU.
NH is not an easy state to live in for undocumented immigrants, and state lawmakers are considering two bills this year that would make life harder by limiting people’s ability to work or travel in the state. Read more from NHPR here.
Support Alternative Sentencing
SUPPORT HB 1039-FN, relative to alternative sentencing for primary caregivers. Please join us on Friday, January 19 at 9:30 AM in House Criminal Justice (Room 202-204, LOB) to support this effort to promote alternatives to incarceration for people who provide care to elders, children, and people with disabilities. Sign in to support the bill, and contact the committee.
Protect LGBTQ+ Rights
OPPOSE SB 562, which provides a definition for "biological sex" and provides that certain designations by biological sex do not constitute unlawful discrimination. The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16 at 1:30 PM in Senate Judiciary (Rm 100, SH). Please sign in to oppose, and contact the committee.
OPPOSE SB 304, which creates a cause of action for medical injuries relating to the administration or prescription of gender transition surgery, cross-sex hormones, or puberty-blocking drugs and protects those who are medically de-transitioning from discrimination. The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16 at 1:45 PM in Senate Judiciary (Room 100, SH). Please sign in to oppose, and contact the committee.
Support Access to Housing
SUPPORT SB 518, relative to incentivizing landlords to accept housing choice vouchers. The public hearing is on Tuesday, January 16 at 9:30 AM in Senate Commerce (Rm 100, SH). Please sign in to support, and contact the committee.
SUPPORT SB 519, relative to evictions based on the owner's intent to renovate the property. The public hearing is on Tuesday, January 16 at 9:30 AM in Senate Commerce (SH, Rm 100). Please sign in to support, and contact the committee.
Protect Houseless Communities
SUPPORT HB 1544, which allows public property to be used to aid and shelter the homeless and indemnifies the government units in charge. The public hearing is on Wednesday, January 16 at 9:30 AM in House Municipal & County Government (Room 301-303, LOB). Sign in to support and contact the committee.
Protect Public Education
There are hundreds of bills this session that would impact public education, including multiple proposals related to the so-called Education Freedom Accounts (vouchers) that have hearings next week. We urge you to bookmark the Action Alert page at NEA-NH and follow their guidance each week. We also recommend this resource hosted by the NH School Funding Fairness Project.
Permanent Ceasefire Now!
Yesterday, the US and Britain bombed more than a dozen locations in Yemen. The Biden Administration claimed the bombings targeted sights associated with the Houthi party in response to Houthi attacks on ships traveling through the Red Sea. Houthi officials say the Red Sea attacks are an effort to disrupt shipping and pressure outside parties to stop Israel’s attack on Gaza. AFSC condemns these attacks on Yemen and calls on the US to avoid any further escalations against Yemen or any other country in the region. Read AFSC’s statement here, and take action today for a permanent ceasefire.
The International Court of Justice heard the case this week filed by South Africa alleging that Israel has engaged in acts of genocide. Read the application here. You can watch the proceedings here, including the response from Israel, and some news coverage here.
In addition to weekly vigils in Dover (Wednesdays) and Concord (Thursdays), peacemakers in Nashua plan to gather for a silent vigil on Friday, January 19, 12 noon to 1 PM at the Nashua office of 2nd Congressional District Representative Annie Kuster, 184 Main Street. The vigil will call for an immediate end to the Israeli aggression against the people of Gaza and support for specific legislation to curb military aid for the Israeli Defense Forces. The following week, on Friday, January 26, 12 noon to 1 PM, the vigil will take place in front of Elbit Systems. To join this ongoing effort, sign up for news alerts from NH Peace Action.
Immigration News
Since last week, Congress has released top lines for agency budgets, including the Department of Homeland Security, whose total budget remains the same. For now. The January 19 and February 2 expiration dates for the Continuing Resolution (CR) remain the same and negotiations continue as Republican leaders push to attach nearly $4 billion for border enforcement in exchange for additional military aid for Israel and Ukraine. The Republican-led House has passed a $14.5 billion standalone bill for Israel aid (without Ukraine) but the Senate has yet to agree to it.
The White House’s initial supplemental funding request has been rejected by Congressional leaders who are seeking to strip away the non-enforcement requests (e.g. for additional immigration judges and USCIS agents) and include asks for more border wall construction, a third country transit ban, mandatory detention (for individuals and families), mandatory DNA collection and other harmful barriers to asylum and humanitarian parole.
The confluence of these two funding negotiations creates an acute urgency for us all to raise our voices to Senator Shaheen, Senator Hassan, Representative Pappas and Representative Kuster. We cannot accept negative changes to our immigration system in exchange for military aid. Sign our petition to send a message to the President and Congress that our tax dollars cannot be spent on harming and killing people and that NH people refuse to negotiate away the basic rights of all migrants, including asylum seekers. Check out this Defund Hate toolkit for more ways to safeguard asylum rights.
To stay up to date and plugged into ways we can act to protect migrant communities, please join the monthly NH Immigrant Rights Network meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 9 AM to 10:30 AM on zoom. Email us at afscnh@afsc.org for the zoom link.
Beyond the Dome
The Littleton Town Manager resigned earlier this week in protest of anti-LGBTQ+ words and actions by select board member (and NH state senator) Carrie Gendreau. Read more here.
Recommended Reading
“Most New Hampshire voters are not concerned about security at New Hampshire’s northern border with Canada, according to a new poll of likely voters in the Granite State conducted by the Boston Globe, USA Today, and Suffolk University Political Research Center.” Read more from the Boston Globe here.
“Combined state and local taxes in New Hampshire require residents with lower incomes to pay a larger percentage of their income than those with higher incomes. Most New Hampshire individuals and families earning less than $153,900 per year pay a combined state and local tax rate that, on average, is 6 percent of their incomes or more, which is a higher average effective rate than taxpayers earning above that amount. Individuals and families in the bottom 20 percent of income earners have a combined effective state and local tax rate more than three times the rate for those at the top 1 percent of the income scale in New Hampshire.” Read more from the NH Fiscal Policy Institute.
Last Week at the State House
It was a busy week of committee hearings in the House and Senate, on bills related to school funding, reproductive rights, worker rights, and a proposed constitutional amendment to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude. Read more here, here, and here for more information.
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
The full House did not meet in session last week.
Last Week in the Senate
The full Senate did not meet in session last week.
Next Week in the House
The full House will not meet in full session next week, but the Speaker has asked House members to hold January 25 for a session day.
Next Week 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.
Tuesday, January 16
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206-208, LOB
9:45 AM HB 1667-FN, relative to establishing a department for children, youth, and families.
1:00 PM HB 1266-FN, relative to permitting recordings of open family court proceedings by parties.
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 306-308, LOB
11:00 AM HB 1430, relative to electric rates approved by the public utilities commission for residential condominium property.
EDUCATION, Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM HB 1128-FN, relative to the definition of a scholarship organization for purposes of the education tax credit.
10:00 AM HB 1402-FN, establishing a procedure for a high school proficiency exam waiver of mandatory school attendance.
10:45 AM HB 1212-FN-L, relative to eligibility for free school meals
11:30 AM HB 1516-FN, relative to enrollment in public schools by children of school district employees.
1:00 PM HB 1165, relative to procedures for school facilities under the department of education.
1:45 PM HB 1153-FN, relative to mandatory and elective public school curricula.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
10:00 AM HB 1036, relative to assessment of cost effectiveness of the systems benefit charge.
1:30 PM HB 1700-FN, prohibiting the intentional release of polluting emissions, including cloud seeding, weather modification, excessive electromagnetic radio frequency, and microwave radiation and making penalties for violation of such prohibition.
TRANSPORTATION, Room 203, LOB
11:20 AM HB 1127, relative to the revocation and suspension of drivers’ licenses.
1:20 PM HB 1118, relative to the issuance of drivers’ licenses for aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202-204, LOB
10:00 AM HB 1422-FN-A-L, relative to the rates of the business profits tax, business enterprise tax, communications service tax, and meals and rooms tax
10:30 AM HB 1492-FN, relative to the rate and exemptions of the interest and dividends tax.
11:00 AM HB 1531-FN, relative to allowing a business profits tax adjustment for the depreciation deduction permitted under Internal Revenue Code Section 168(k).
Wednesday, January 17
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
1:45 PM HB 1538, relative to credit card late fees and interest.
2:15 PM HB 1694, relative to establishing a committee to study a New Hampshire public bank.
2:45 PM HB 1633-FN-A, relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.
EDUCATION, Room 205-207, LOB
9:00 AM HB 1670-FN-L, relative to including all special education costs under state education grants.
10:00 AM HB 1678-FN, establishing a New Hampshire farm to school local food incentive pilot program.
10:45 AM HB 1634-FN, relative to universal eligibility for the education freedom account program.
1:00 PM HB 1677-FN, relative to participation in education freedom accounts based on school or school district proficiency scores.
1:45 PM HB 1561-FN, relative to qualifications for student eligibility in the education freedom accounts program.
2:30 PM HB 1665-FN, relative to student eligibility for the education freedom accounts program.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
11:15 AM HB 1003-FN, relative to name changes for inmates, parolees, and convicted violent felons.
MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301-303, LOB
10:00 AM HB 1105-FN-L, relative to application of a local tax cap.
10:20 AM HB 1461-FN, relative to live-streaming all properly noticed meetings and hearings of elected and appointed municipal bodies.
11:10 AM HB 1544, relative to indemnification for municipalities adopting policies to address homelessness.
11:50 AM HB 1641-FN-L, relating to requiring large parking lots to have a solar power canopy.
1:30 PM HB 1124, relative to limiting conflicts of interest and excessive concentration of power for municipal board and committee members.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202-204, LOB
12:00 PM HB 1551-FN, relative to distinguishing between C corporations and S corporations for purposes of calculating business profits taxes.
Thursday, January 18
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
11:15 AM HB 1571-FN, relative to requiring insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices for people with diabetes.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
9:30 AM HB 1011-FN, relative to prohibiting male genital mutilation.
10:00 AM HB 1012-FN, exempting from criminal penalty certain parenting decisions intended to encourage a child’s independence and freedom.
11:00 AM HB 1026-FN, relative to resisting arrest.
11:30 AM HB 1372-FN, relative to prohibiting torture.
EDUCATION, Room 205-207, LOB
9:30 AM HB 1419-FN, relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools
10:45 AM HB 1570-FN-A-L, relative to administration of school building aid funds by the department of education and making an appropriation therefor.
12:45 PM HB 1216, relative to cross-district bullying and cyberbullying.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
10:00 AM HB 1689-FN, relative to the use of personal identifying information by state agencies.
10:45 AM HB 1454-FN, relative to benefits for New Hampshire child care employees.
1:15 PM HB 1601-FN-A, relative to the prescription drug affordability board.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 210-211, LOB
11:00 AM Executive session on HB 1520-FN-A, establishing a family assistance car ownership pilot program in the department of health and human services.
JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9:00 AM Executive session on CACR 23, relating to the right to abortion; HB 1248-FN, relative to restrictions on access to abortion; HB 1541-FN, relative to conditions for an abortion performed after viability or 15 weeks gestation.
LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 307, LOB
9:45 AM HB 1051, relative to prohibiting certain deductions from wages of restaurant employees.
11:00 AM HB 1110, relative to requiring certain employers to use the federal E-Verify system of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
3:00 PM HB 1315-FN, relative to the definition of wages for purposes of unemployment compensation.
Friday, January 19
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
9:30 AM HB 1039-FN, relative to alternative sentencing for primary caregivers.
12:00 PM HB 1587-FN, relative to the installation of video surveillance equipment in special education school buses.
STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, Room 206-208, LOB
9:00 AM HR 24, reaffirming support for the child labor amendment to the United States Constitution.
9:30 AM HCR 8, applying to congress for a limited national convention for the exclusive purpose of proposing an amendment to the United States Constitution relative to elections.
10:45 AM HCR 9, rescinding the application to the Congress of the United States of America to call a convention pursuant to the terms of Article V of the United States Constitution.
1:00 PM HCR 11, condemning medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion
2:00 PM Executive session on CACR 20, relating to declaring independence from the United States of America. Providing that if the national debt reaches $40 trillion, New Hampshire shall declare independence and proceed as a sovereign nation; HB 1130, establishing a commission to study the economic, legal, and sociological aspects of New Hampshire exerting its sovereign state rights; HCR 10, urging Congress to increase federal funding for special education services to reduce property taxes in New Hampshire; HB 1338, relative to New Hampshire’s enforcement of the Military Selective Service Act; HR 28, urging for the compensation for injuries from PFAS and for the closure and cleaning of sites affected by PFAS; CACR 13, relating to slavery and involuntary servitude. Providing that slavery and involuntary servitude shall be prohibited in the state of New Hampshire.
Next Week in the full Senate
The Senate will meet on Thursday, January 18 at 10 AM. You can watch the proceedings here.
On the Regular Calendar
COMMERCE
HB 261, authorizing residential tenants to terminate their lease in instances of domestic. OTP-A, Vote 5-0.
EDUCATION
SB 442-FN, relative to student eligibility for education freedom accounts. OTP-A, Vote 3-2.
JUDICIARY
HB 135-FN, (New Title) relative to requisites for a criminal search warrant. Pending Motion: OTP-A
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.
Tuesday, January 16
COMMERCE, Room 100, SH
9:15 AM SB 519-FN, relative to evictions based on the owner’s intent to renovate the property.
9:30 AM SB 518-FN, relative to incentivizing landlords to accept housing choice vouchers.
EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
9:00 AM SB 343, relative to school based health services.
9:30 AM SB 376, relative to establishing a corrections education and vocational planning group.
ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 103, LOB
9:00 AM SB 382, relative to election recounts and audits.
9:15 AM SB 380, relative to moving the state primary date.
9:45 AM SB 445-FN-A, establishing a voter-owned elections fund for eligible candidates to executive councilor and making an appropriation to the fund.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
9:30 AM SB 387-FN, relative to a state parks pass pilot program for recovery centers and community health centers.
9:45 AM SB 320-FN, requiring the public utilities commission to establish a gas and electric performance incentive mechanism.
FINANCE, Room 103, SH
1:00 PM SB 348-FN-A, relative to emergency crop relief.
1:10 PM SB 494-FN-A, relative to establishing a farmer assistance fund.
JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:30 PM SB 562-FN, relative to state recognition of biological sex.
Wednesday, January 17
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 101, LOB
10:00 AM SB 558-FN, relative to insurance coverage for infertility treatments, protection from discrimination during IVF treatments, parental leave, and adoption.
WAYS AND MEANS, Room 100, SH
10:00 AM SB 584-FN, relative to application of the utility property tax to certain renewable electric generating facilities, and relative to communications services tax revenues.
Thursday, January 18
JUDICIARY, Room 100, SH
1:00 PM SB 356-FN, relative to the return of property collected in the course of a police investigation.
1:30 PM SB 565-FN, relative to discrimination in education and employment based on hairstyles historically associated with race.
1:45 PM SB 508-FN, relative to the duties of the superintendent of the county department of corrections concerning mental health and substance use disorder screening of inmates and coordination for services upon reentry into the community.
2:00 PM SB 569-FN, relative to the powers and duties of the attorney general as the state’s attorney.
Upcoming Events
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 PM. 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.
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.
January 17: Rep Pappas - Dover District Office, 660 Central Avenue, Dover, NH
January 24: Senator Shaheen – Dover District Office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover, NH
January 31: Rep Pappas - Dover District Office, 660 Central Avenue Dover, NH
Saturday, January 13
Tools of Independence: Community Resources for Young People – 4 PM. Hosted by AFSC NH & the SNHU Center for New Americans. YWCA - 72 Concord St. Manchester. Join us for this community resource event for young people learn more about the tools and information that are available to help them succeed as a young person in NH. Connect with community resources in Manchester and beyond and enjoy free dinner, fun presentations and activities!
Martin Luther King, Jr Day
Sunday, January 14
1 PM - Martin Luther King Celebration - Hosted by Laconia Human Relations Committee. Colonial Theatre - 1 Canal St, Laconia. Join us to celebrate the inspiring life and enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr with an art exhibition, live music and speakers. Solidarity march in honor of Dr. King following the ceremony – starts at 4 pm. The event is free and open to the public, but attendees must obtain a free ticket from The Colonial Theater box office. Tickets can be picked up at the Colonial Theater box office Tuesday through Friday between 10 am and 2 pm, or you can call the theater at 1.800.657.8774
1 PM - America the Dream: Keynote Address – Hosted by the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Committee. Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Michael Klarman, Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History at Harvard Law School and a distinguished expert in civil rights and constitutional law. Commemorating the 60-year anniversary of the signing of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, Professor Klarman will speak on “Brown v. Board, the Civil Rights Movement, and Where We Are Today on Race.” A question-and-answer session will follow along with a meet-the-professor reception.
7 PM - Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: Civil Rights and Equity for All People. Hosted by the Dover Area Religious Leaders Association. On Zoom and at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Dover. The celebration will feature Steve Curwood as the keynote speaker.
Monday, January 15
8:30 AM - Seacoast NAACP Annual MLK Breakfast & Program - Hosted by Seacoast NAACP Youth Council. South Church Portsmouth - 292 State St, Portsmouth. a memorial breakfast honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program will include food, music and tributes that lift up and celebrate this luminary of social change. The keynote speaker will be Joanne Kelley, Assistant Mayor of Portsmouth.
11 AM to 3 PM - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Hosted by the Currier Museum, Manchester. Join us for a special celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of free programming and community building. Visitors are invited on curator-led tours of our diverse collection, and to collaborate on art-making activities including paper bead creation and responsive exercises rooted in the teachings of Dr. King. There will also be special spoken word performances by The Racial Unity Team of NH, as well as a screening of Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
1 PM - 42nd Annual MLK Jr Community Celebration at Memorial High School, Manchester. Our annual MLK Jr Community Celebration returns for its 42nd year! This year, the theme is “Connect for Action, Act for Justice.” The program will include breakout groups to connect you with groups living MLK Jr's vision here in New Hampshire. You can learn how they embody his legacy and also join their work. Our celebration will include food, music and also recognize individuals with our annual awards presentation.
1 PM - America the Dream: Community Celebration – Hosted by the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Committee. Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge. Join us for this free community event.
4 PM - At the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth, a public reading of "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in its entirety, followed by a reflection/discussion. So often we experience the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s eloquence in truncated quotations. This is an opportunity, on his 94th birthday, to experience one of his masterpieces from start to finish, out loud, from many voices, and then briefly reflect on it together. The reading will take about an hour, and then we’ll allow half an hour for discussion. For more info, call Andy Davis at 603-452-4446.
7 PM - Peace & Justice Conversations: Connecting Across the Racial Divide - Hosted by NH Peace Action. Join Kimberlee Yolanda Williams, author of “Dear White Woman, Please Come Home”, for a night of discovery, authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy. Come put your heart on the line and entrust it to the care of Kimberlee’s healing words and compassionate approach to the systemic divides that keep us from truly seeing and honoring one another.
Tuesday, January 16
Immigrant Rights Network – 9 AM to 10:30 AM. Hosted by AFSC. Email: afscnh@afsc.org for the zoom link.
Wednesday, January 17
School Funding & Property Taxes: Manchester – 6 PM. Hosted by the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project. Manchester City Library Auditorium - 405 Pine St. Join NHSFFP at the Manchester City Library to learn about how New Hampshire downshifts the cost of public education funding to property taxpayers, and how this system creates huge disparities in tax bills town to town and in the quality of education students receive. This is an hour-long presentation that includes plenty of time for Q&A.
Thursday, January 18
UU Action NH Monthly Climate Meeting – Hosted by Unitarian Universalist Action NH. 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Join our monthly zoom meetings as we discuss various ways to affect climate change in your home, your church, and your community. Attendance is free but registration is required. Please register here to receive the Zoom link.
Saturday, January 20
#VoteTogetherNH Meetup – 6 PM to 12 AM. Hosted by AFSC NH. Boards & Brews – 941 Elm Street, Manchester. Did you know that the primary election is coming up in 2 weeks on Jan 23rd? Learn more about voting and why the votes and voices of young people matter in NH! Come hangout with us for a night of games, food & drinks. Meet other young people to connect, have some fun and get ready for the primary together! Free to join and play, food and drinks must be purchased separately. See you there!
Saturday, January 27
Manchester Housing Alliance 2024 Summit - 10 AM – 12:30 PM. Hosted by Manchester Housing Alliance. City Library, Winchell Room – 405 Pine St. Manchester. We are pleased to announce our first ever in person Manchester Housing Alliance summit. We will: Give a state of housing in Manchester and how we got here; Identify new supporters of affordable housing; and Figure out what specific issue we want to fight for this year. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Monday, January 29
Peace & Justice Conversations: Making a World Beyond War - 7 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by NH Peace Action. In this webinar, World BEYOND War advisory board member Rivera Sun will offer stories and examples of how people used alternatives to war, including nonviolent campaigns, creative resistance, peacebuilding strategies, violence de-escalation teams, and mass movements. We will look at case studies from Liberia, Algeria, Colombia, United States, Canada, and beyond. Together, they reveal how a World BEYOND War is not only possible, it is already on its way.
Wednesday, January 31
Raising Culturally Competent, Anti-Racist Kids – 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Zoom. Hosted by Portsmouth Public Library. As parents and caregivers, we have both the opportunity and responsibility to foster the skills and compassion our children need to thrive in a diverse world. Many parents and caregivers are looking for ways to engage effectively around such topics as injustice, bias, prejudice, valuing difference, marginalization and more. While it may appear challenging, there are many wonderful ways to bring age-appropriate learning into the home and raise children who can be part of making this a more equitable, just world. In this three-part online program, we will establish a “safe/brave space” to: Identify what, where and how racism exists in our society; Consider our own “racial awareness journey” and how it informs our parenting; Explore best practices, provide resources and encourage “active, antiracist parenting.”
February - 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.
Feb 4 - New Deal or Raw Deal: Why It Matters
Feb 11 - Home Sick: Attaining the American Dream
Feb 18 - A Question of Access and Quality: Health Care in NH
Feb 25 - Close to the Edge: Policing and Criminal Justice in NH
Mar 10 - Equity and Adequacy: Public Education in NH
Apr 21 - Envisioning the Future
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. 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!