State House Watch: January 20, 2023

By Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke

“It seems it's always the innocent who pay the highest price for injustice. It's seemed that way all my life.” - Leonard Peltier, Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance

Dear State House Watchers,

Last week may have felt like a busy one...because it was! But brace yourself; next week is packed with hearings related to immigrant rights, renter rights, funding for public education, renewable energy, bail reform, the closing of the Sununu Center and so much more.

Action Alerts

Please sign in, contact the committee, or show up to support this week’s key bills:

Support HB 374, relative to the application process for driver licenses and the privacy of motor vehicle records. This bill would expand access to driver licenses for undocumented immigrants. It was developed by Drive Safe NH, an immigrant-led coalition working to expand driver license access for immigrants in NH. Please show strong support. House Transportation Committee, Room 201-203 LOB on Tuesday, January 24 at 9 AM.

Support HB 375-FN, relative to the licensure of nonresident aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire. This bill is another priority of the Drive Safe NH coalition; it would shorten the waiting period for asylum seekers to obtain a license. House Transportation Committee, Room 201-203 LOB on Tuesday, January 24 at 10 AM.

Oppose HB 117, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. House Judiciary Committee, Room 206-208 LOB on Wednesday, January 25 at 9:45 AM.

Support HB 379-FN, requiring that attorneys be appointed to represent indigent tenants during residential eviction proceedings and making an appropriation therefor. House Judiciary Committee, Room 206-208 LOB on Wednesday, January 25 at 2:30 PM.

Support HB 567, relative to notice of rent increases in certain residential rental property. House Judiciary Committee, Room 206-208 LOB, on Thursday, January 26 at 9:45 AM.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day


At the Martin Luther King, Jr Coalition celebration in Manchester last Monday, Grace received the MLK award for her activism, organizing and leadership. She described her commitment to doing the work of justice: “Dr. King reminds us that we must do the right thing, even if it’s not easy, popular, or politically expedient. We do not have to wait for some mythic time when there will be enough. We have enough here, and we have enough now to do what needs to be done in our towns and cities, our own backyards and neighborhoods, and in our hearts and minds. No one person can do it all - no one person is meant to do it all - but we each must do our part, no matter how small or mighty. We must each show up with the humility to learn from those who are most directly impacted. The courage to imagine a better way. And the fiery resilience to do whatever it takes to turn that vision into action in order to reach the mountain top together.”  You can read her full speech here. And you can watch the full program here, thanks to Manchester Channel 22.

Later that same day, Grace shared her vision for racial justice organizing in New Hampshire, as part of NH Peace Action’s Peace & Justice Conversation: Reflections from a Justice Organizer on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  

Thanks to Arnie Alpert for his commentary at InDepthNH which retells the history of how the ‘banned concepts act’ became law in New Hampshire. He invites us to refute the distortions of Dr. King’s vision and purpose, while promoting truthful education in our public schools: MLK Was No Ally of NH’s ‘Divisive Concepts’ Law.

Want to learn more about the history of the MLK holiday in New Hampshire? We recommend this story produced by the staff at NH Public Radio: Civics 101: Inside the fight to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day in New Hampshire. You’ll recognize a few familiar voices of those who labored over decades to honor Dr. King’s legacy in NH.

Immigration news


In our op-ed, Restore Asylum and Build a Better World, which was published this week, we express our hope that the United States can live up to our professed values and welcome asylum-seekers: “New Hampshire has a strong network to welcome and care for asylum seekers. We know how to welcome people in ways that reflect our values. By doing so we demonstrate our integrity as a nation, as well as our respect and compassion for all who come to our shores seeking safety, hope, and a new life. The U.S. government knows how to do this too, when they want to. The humanitarian crisis we are witnessing now [at the border] is due to decades of inaction and systemic disinvestment by our Congressional leaders. Since the war in Ukraine began, more than 82,000 Ukrainians have been able to come to the United States and have been processed fairly and humanely. We need to extend the same welcome to those fleeing violence from Haiti, Central and South America, and Africa.”

And elsewhere in the Concord Monitor last week, Grace described the work of the Stronger Together coalition to keep our elected leaders mindful of the need for humane immigration policies, and to listen to their immigrant constituents (“For immigrant constituents, Hassan’s support for Title 42 further cements frustration”).

Beyond the Dome


We were saddened to see that the eviction of a homeless encampment in Manchester went ahead last week. The judge denied a motion by the ACLU to delay the demolition until the City could offer the displaced persons adequate shelter and services. Advocates and allies were on hand to ease some of the anxiety and confusion, and to help people to make their way to some of the newly opened shelter locations in the city. Many thanks to NH Mutual Aid Relief Fund and all who continue to step up in solidarity and commitment to housing for all.

Obviously, the crisis of homelessness reaches well beyond Manchester, as tension grows between mayors and Governor Sununu over the responsibility to provide financial support for housing and essential services. As reported in Foster’s Daily Democrat, mayors responded in frustration to the governor’s recent response to their call for assistance: “[Somersworth Mayor Dana] Hilliard said, ‘The hard reality is New Hampshire cities continue to struggle with an issue that is beyond the means of them being able to manage. I am proud of the work the Tri-City mayors and county have done trying to pick away at the iceberg of homelessness. Our...approach will make a difference in the people's lives who are struggling the most. However, until the state acknowledges that this is a crisis that must be tackled, and supported through increased means from Concord, cities will continue to pick away at the iceberg with a toothpick.’" County commissioner George Maglaras added that “We need public and private partnerships to create systems that work. We need the state to be actively involved and I think they should take the leadership role on the need for more beds. To ask municipalities to take this on is insanity and not good public policy."

We’re glad to see that affordable housing and the high cost of rental housing are getting attention at the State House. Read more here about last week’s hearings.

Recommended reading


NH Fiscal Policy Institute (NHFPI) published an issue brief last week, The Effects of Medicaid Expansion in New Hampshire, which gathers relevant data about New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion program, and discusses the health, budgetary, and economic impacts of Medicaid Expansion in other states. If you aren’t already subscribed, we suggest that you sign up for NHFPI’s email updates.

We noticed this op-ed by Christopher Kozak, President of Community Partners in Dover, who makes the case for permanent reauthorization of Medicaid Expansion. We agree.

Overheard at the State House...


"A lot of workers who are low-wage workers, when they get money, they tend to spend that money in the economy. So, this money is not going to be used to buy second homes or invest in the stock market." – Viola Katusiime, Granite State Organizing Project, speaking in favor of HB 57 which would re-establish and raise the minimum wage

"The hardworking people of New Hampshire can't live off of minimum wage now, just like I couldn't live off it then. The minimum amount one must earn in order to house yourself and to take care of your basic needs is not an artificial standard. It's just math." – Grace Kindeke, American Friends Service Committee

Last week at the State House


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.
IS – Referred for interim study.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote

Last week in the Senate


The Senate met in full session for a voting day on Thursday, January 19. Watch it here. Here are some outcomes.

On the Consent Calendar

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
SB 40, relative to participation in net energy metering by small hydroelectric generators. Establishes certain requirements for small hydroelectric generators to be able to participate in net energy metering. OTPA by VV

JUDICIARY
SB 29, repeals the statute relating to police matrons which has been in existence since 1915. OTP by VV

On the Regular Calendar

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

SB 11, directing educational or research institutions, museums, historical societies and other collections to review, inventory, and catalogue any remains or materials from African American burial sites in consultation with descendants and the descendant community. OTP-A by VV

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 28, relative to adding a portrait in the likeness of Rogers Johnson at the state house. OTP by VV

JUDICIARY
SB 1-FN-A, relative to the Sununu youth services center. OTPA by RC vote (22-2)
SB 43, relative to a needs assessment for juvenile minors who are residents of New Hampshire. OTP by VV

Next week at the State House


You can watch the House hearings here, and the Senate hearings here. You can sign in for House bills here, and for Senate bills here. And you can contact House or Senate committees. So many options!

Coming up in House committees


Monday, January 23

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
9 AM Presentation – Public Utilities Commission
1 PM HB 633-FN, relative to electric distribution company market share, prohibiting certain electric rate increases, and requiring enforcement against Eversource.
2 PM HB 234-FN, relative to renewable energy credits.
3 PM HB 246-FN, relative to uses of moneys in the renewable energy fund.
4 PM HB 211, relative to a report by the department of energy on the effectiveness of the system benefits charge.

Tuesday, January 24

CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW, Room 206-208, LOB
10:30 AM Executive Session on HB 34-FN, relative to raising the age of marriage to eighteen.
3 PM HB 120-FN-A, relative to the closure of the Sununu Youth Services Center and operation of a replacement secure facility.

EDUCATION, Room 205-207, LOB
12:45 PM HB 334-FN, relative to determination and cost of state adequate education.
1:45 PM HB 430-FN-L, relative to applications for the education freedom accounts program.
2:30 PM HB 529-FN-A-L, relative to additional aid grants for schools based on free and reduced price meals and fiscal capacity disparity.
3:15 PM HB 309-FN, relative to civil rights education in public elementary and secondary schools.

ELECTION LAW, Room 306-308, LOB
10 AM HB 324-FN-A, relative to campaign contributions and expenditures and making an appropriation therefor.
1 PM HB 195, relative to the definition of political advocacy organization.
1:30 PM HB 196, establishing a commission to review and make recommendations on campaign finance laws.
3 PM Executive Session on HB 115, relative to changing the date of the state primary election; , relative to changing the date of the state primary election and adding a run-off election if necessary; HB 345-FN, enabling ranked-choice voting for state party primary elections and municipal elections; HB 350, relative to ranked-choice voting.

ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE, Room 301-303, LOB
11 AM HB 462-FN-A, making an appropriation to the solid waste management fund and targeting food waste reduction and diversion.

FINANCE, Room 210-211, LOB
10 AM HB 332-FN-A-L, relative to school building aid for eligible projects.
10:30 AM HB 541-FN-A-L, relative to school building aid grants and making an appropriation therefor.
11 AM HB 546-FN-L, relative to the school building aid program.
1 PM HB 207-FN, relative to school district unanticipated funds.
1:15 PM HB 129-FN-L, relative to menstrual hygiene products in schools.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 302-304, LOB
10:30 AM HB 418-FN, relative to eliminating the rebates distributed by the energy efficiency fund.
1 PM HB 576-FN-A-L, establishing an energy conservation program and an energy conservation project fund and establishing the state PACE reserve fund.
2 PM HB 92, requiring the adoption of innovative vehicle emissions standards pursuant to section 177 of the federal Clean Air Act.
4 PM Executive Session on HB 633-FN, relative to electric distribution company market share, prohibiting certain electric rate increases, and requiring enforcement against Eversource; HB 211, relative to a report by the department of energy on the effectiveness of the system benefits charge; HB 234-FN, relative to renewable energy credits; HB 246-FN, relative to uses of moneys in the renewable energy fund.

TRANSPORTATION, Room 201-203, LOB

9 AM HB 374-FN, relative to the application process for driver’s licenses and the privacy of motor vehicle records.
10 AM HB 375-FN, relative to the licensure of nonresident aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.
11 AM HB 597-FN, relative to race and ethnicity data on driver’s licenses, and race and ethnicity data collection.
1 PM HB 650-FN, relative to prohibiting suspension of driver’s licenses due to nonpayment of fines or fees.

WAYS AND MEANS, Room 202-204, LOB
10 AM HB 15-FN, relative to the rate of the business enterprise tax.
1 PM HB 192-FN, relative to the rate and exemptions of the interest and dividends tax.
2 PM HB 100-FN-A, to repeal the interest and dividends tax.

Wednesday, January 25

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
11 AM, HB 465-FN, restricting use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in certain consumer products.
1:15 PM HB 639-FN-A, relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.
1:20 PM HB 544-FN, legalizing cannabis for retail sale.

EDUCATION, Room 205-207, LOB
1 PM HB 626-FN, requiring the department of education to administer the education freedom account.
2 PM HB 601-FN-L, relative to state participation in the Medicaid direct certification program for free and reduced price school meals.
3 PM HB 435, relative to relief aid calculation in determining grants for adequate education.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION, Room 306-308, LOB
1:30 PM HB 620-FN, establishing a department of early childhood education and relative to a pre-kindergarten pilot program

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Room 210-211, LOB
2 PM HB 582-FN, requiring the division of vital records to collect induced termination of pregnancy statistics.
2:45 PM HB 615-FN, requiring independent audits of reproductive health care facilities.

JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9 AM HB 112, relative to tenant’s right to notification prior to the sale of a multifamily home.
9:45 AM HB 117, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term.
10:30 AM HB 235, establishing a commission to study the expansion of the landlord tenant mediation program in circuit courts.
11:15 AM HB 261, authorizing residential tenants to terminate their lease in instances of domestic violence or following a disabling illness or accident.
1 PM HB 283, to limit application fees charged to prospective residential tenants.
2:30 PM HB 379-FN, requiring that attorneys be appointed to represent indigent tenants during residential eviction proceedings and making an appropriation therefor.
3:15PM HB 401, relative to evictions based on the owner’s intent to renovate the property.

MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Room 301-303, LOB
10:30 AM Executive Session on HB 95, enabling municipalities to adopt rental practice regulations; HB 422-FN, to create a public county registry of the monthly rent charged by landlords for each owned unit.

RESOURCES, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Room 305-307, LOB
9 AM HB 212-FN-A, appropriating funding for investigations, testing, and monitoring relative to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
11 AM HB 534-FN-A, relative to water assistance for natural disasters.

Thursday, January 26

COMMERCE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Room 302-304, LOB
11 AM HB 353-FN, establishing an interstate compact for universal healthcare.
1:15 PM HB 389, relative to consumer protection relating to hospital price transparency.
2 PM HB 414-FN, relative to health insurance coverage for preventative PFAS care.
2:30 PM HB 373-FN, relative to billing for ambulance services.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Reps Hall, SH
9 AM HB 318-FN-A, eliminating bail commissioners, and relative to the release of a defendant pending trial and establishing new circuit court judge positions.
9:45 AM HB 560-FN-A, establishing a contact person notification program to assist law enforcement personnel who have contact with a person with mental or physical disabilities and making an appropriation therefor.
10:30 AM HB 643-FN-A, relative to legalizing marijuana.
11:15 AM HB 581-FN, repealing the controlled drug act and establishing a committee to study the policy and statutory changes necessary to implement the repeal.
12:45 PM HB 473-FN, relative to penalties for controlled drug violations.
1:30 PM HB 360-FN, an act legalizing cannabis for persons 21 years of age or older.
2:15 PM HB 344-FN, relative to the home cultivation of cannabis plants and the possession of certain cannabis-infused products.
3 PM HB 328-FN, an act legalizing certain controlled substances for persons 21 years of age or older.
3:45PM HB 470-FN, relative to fentanyl test strips and other drug checking equipment.

FINANCE, Room 210-211, LOB
1 PM HB 49-FN-A, relative to postponing the closure of the Sununu Youth Services Center.

JUDICIARY, Room 206-208, LOB
9 AM HB 469-FN, prohibiting discrimination against tenants holding certain vouchers for purposes of renting dwellings.
9:45 AM HB 567, relative to notice of rent increases in certain residential rental property.
11:15 AM HB 362-FN, relative to complaint procedures in cases before the commission for human rights.
1 PM HB 533-FN, relative to public school human rights complaints.
4 PM HB 396, relative to state recognition of biological sex.

LABOR, INDUSTRIAL AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Room 305-307, LOB
10:45 AM HB 190-FNrelative to the duration of unemployment benefits.
1 PM HB 232-FN, adopting section 1910 OSHA standards for public sector employees in New Hampshire.
2 PM HB 150, relative to the certification of a collective bargaining unit.
3 PM HB 125, relative to youth employment during the school year and at night.

Friday, January 27

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Room 202-204, LOB
10 AM Executive Session on HB 560-FN-A, establishing a contact person notification program to assist law enforcement personnel who have contact with a person with mental or physical disabilities and making an appropriation therefor.
11:30 AM HB 504-FN, relative to the adult parole board and making an appropriation therefor.
12:15 PM HB 545-FN, amending the victims’ bill of rights.
1:30 PM HB 588-FN, relative to the criteria for applying for parole.
3 PM HB 503-FN, relative to the rights afforded to a person accused of a crime.

EDUCATION, Room 205-207, LOB
9:15 AM HB 572-FN, relative to eligibility for free school meals.
3:15 PM HB 440-FN, relative to the uses of education trust fund.

STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, Room 206-208, LOB
9:30 AM HR 8, urging Congress to enact legislation regulating and banning certain semi-automatic as­sault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
10:30 AM HR 9, calling for the federal government to enact an American Marshall Plan to rebuild eco­nomically impoverished communities and strengthen climate resilience infrastructure.
11:15 AM HR 13, affirming support for the people of Puerto Rico.

Reps Hall, SH
1 PM HR 10, supporting statehood for the District of Columbia.
1:30 PM HCR 1, a resolution applying for a convention of the states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States.

Coming up the Senate

The Senate be in session again on Thursday, January 26, 2023. It will be live streamed here.

On the Consent Calendar

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 42-FN, relative to overpayment of unemployment compensation. This bill provides that the state shall not charge interest on the collection of an overpayment of unemployment compensation unless the person knowingly or willfully made a false statement in their application for benefits.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SB 35, relative to RSV vaccine administration. SB 35 authorizes pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and licensed advanced pharmacy technicians to administer an RSV vaccine to adults. This is a standard process that the General Court has gone through as new vaccines emerge in an effort to expand the network of availability for vaccines. RSV is a serious illness and expanding access to vaccinations, once FDA and CDC approval have been granted, will be important in creating a healthy population in New Hampshire.

On the Regular Calendar

ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
SB 47, establishing a commission to study barriers to increased density of residential development in New Hampshire. This bill will establish a commission to study barriers to increased density of residential development in New Hampshire. It will be the continuation of a prior commission that was unable to finish important studies due to the COVID pandemic. Much of the work done by this Commission is needed to address the housing crisis in New Hampshire and promote expansion of residential housing all across the state.

Coming up in Senate committees


Tuesday, January 24

COMMERCE, Room 100, SH
9:45 AM SB 102, relative to the Jones Act’s effect on New Hampshire’s heating and energy fuel market.
10:15 AM SB 101, relative to penalties for violations of manufactured housing park sales requirements.

EDUCATION, Room 101, LOB
9:30 AM SB 109, relative to school safety and coordination with law enforcement.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Room 103, SH
9 AM SB 68-FN, relative to municipal host for purposes of limited electrical energy producers.
9:15 AM SB 69-FN, relative to allowing certain nonprofits to participate as a customer generator group hosts under net energy metering.
9:30 AM SB 61, relative to surface water setbacks for landfills.
9:45 AM SB 62, relative to landowner liability under RSA 147-B, the hazardous waste cleanup fund.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Wednesday, January 25

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Room 101, LOB
9:30 AM SB 85-FN-A, relative to emergency behavioral health services and behavioral health crisis programs.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

Upcoming events


Sign up for the DEI workplace innovation challenge hosted by NH Businesses for Social Responsibility

Saturday, January 21

New Hampshire Women's Rally - 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. 72 Concord Street, Manchester. Hosted by YWCA. Join Us! It's been a rough year for women with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. All the more reason to come together and take action! You are invited to join us for a rally to defend our rights!

Community Listening Tours - 12:30 PM. 72 Concord St, Manchester. Hosted by YWCA. YWCA NH will host community listening tours facilitated by Dr. Chris Matthews, professor at Southern New Hampshire University and former Queen City Pride board member, to gather and connect feedback from a diverse group of LGBTQ+ community members and allies in an effort to hear about the needs, concerns and interests of the community as a newly forming LGBTQ+ community group comes together to plan Pride and activities for Manchester in 2023 and beyond.

Sunday, January 22

Centering in Conflict – 10 AM. 58 Lowell St. Nashua & Zoom. Hosted by UU Church of Nashua. The ability to center doesn’t mean living a life free of conflict. What lessons can we learn about centering by leaning into conflict, rather than avoiding it? Join us in one of the following ways: In person in the Sanctuary: masks and vaccinations are strongly encouraged. Online: https://zoom.us/j/606344193
 Telephone: 1-646-558-8656, meeting ID: 606 344 193. Or listen to our livestream: http://stream.uunashua.org/uunashua

Abenaki Past, Present, and Future: Our Inherited History – 3 PM. Zoom & at Christ Church, 33 Central Street, Andover, MA. Hosted by Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People. Denise and Paul Pouliot will discuss Indigenous history of the area, present issues, the importance of Land Acknowledgement, and the Town Seal of Andover. Denise is the Sag8moskwa (Head Female Speaker) and Paul is the Sag8mo (Head Male Speaker/Grand Chief) of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, headquartered in Alton, NH.

Civil Rights Sunday: Bigger than ROE - 3 PM to 4 PM. Market Square, Portsmouth. Hosted by Occupy NH. Join us this Sunday to show that we are paying attention! Join us as well for Ukraine, and all of our Civil Rights! Civil rights are an essential component of democracy. They are guarantees of equal social opportunities and protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics!

The Fight for Reproductive Rights is Bright! – 6 PM. Hosted by Planned Parenthood NH Action Fund. January 22, 2023 marks the first year we won’t be celebrating the anniversary of Roe v. Wade since the landmark decision was announced in 1973. We should be celebrating the 50th anniversary of nationwide abortion rights; instead, our country is confronting a stark reality in which younger generations have fewer rights than the last and one in three Americans no longer have the right to safe, legal abortion in their home state. Let’s show the brightness of our solidarity and light the path forward. Put a candle in your window on Sunday, January 22 to mark what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe and remind the world that the fight for reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy burns bright. Snap a pic of your candle lit window and share it on Instagram with #FightForReproRightsIsBright #BiggerThanRoe.

Tuesday, January 24

#NoWayToTreatAChild Webinar January 2023: Arbitrary By Default – 12 PM. Hosted by the No Way to Treat A Child Campaign, Defense for Children International - Palestine & American Friends Service Committee. This webinar will offer a sneak peek of DCIP's forthcoming report, Arbitrary by Default, which asserts that Palestinian children detained, arrested, tortured, and prosecuted by the Israeli military are done so arbitrarily, a violation of international law. We will share DCIP's analysis on the Israeli military detention system as well as testimonies from Palestinian children who have been detained by the Israeli military.

Child Care Webinar – 1 PM to 2 PM. Hosted by New Futures. Affordable childcare is a critical tool in keeping New Hampshire’s families physically and economically healthy. Learn about the senate bill that aims to ease the burden on Granite State families in this one-hour webinar with New Futures Kids Count Policy Director Rebecca Woitkowski.

Wednesday, January 25

Alcohol Fund Webinar – 4 PM to 5 PM. Hosted by New Futures. New Hampshire’s Alcohol Fund is an innovative, fiscally responsible, common-sense approach to support programs that address substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery in the Granite State. However, it has been historically underfunded or diverted. In this one-hour webinar, learn more about how your voice is needed to help protect this critical funding from New Futures Vice President of Advocacy Kate Frey.

Friday, January 27

Human Trafficking Info Session – 6 PM. Hosted by Addiction Recovery Coalition of NH. This info session is hosted by ARCNH with presenter Jasmine Grace Marino- a survivor of human trafficking. Please join us for this event open to all in our community. During this info session Jasmine Grace will share her story and you will learn how to notice the warning signs of human trafficking; how substance misuse and the commercial sex trade intersect; and how best to support someone who may be involved.

Saturday, January 28

Crying in the Wilderness: An Immigrant’s Journey in Detention – 3 PM to 5 PM. Cheshire Mills Complex – 69 Main Street, Harrisville. Sharing a message of compassion and care for all our immigrant neighbors. Powerful photos, words and artwork illustrating the emotional toll of immigrant detention. Join us for the opening reception of a traveling exhibit with 10 large photos printed on canvas and suspended in black metal frames, illustrating the physical and emotional impacts of detaining and shackling an asylum seeker.

Friday, February 3

In Person Advocacy Training – 9 AM to 2 PM. 100 N Main Street, 4th Floor, Concord. Hosted by New Futures. Learn how to advocate in the 2023 legislative session in this five-hour in-person training at the New Futures office in Concord covering the basics of the NH legislature, how a bill becomes a law, tips on writing your advocacy message, and best practices for different ways of advocating. This session features breakfast and lunch, guest speakers, hands-on practice, and a tour of the State House.

Black History Month Unity Concert with Martin Toe and Destin Boy Official – 8 PM. Bank of NH Stage, Concord. Hosted by Destin Boy Official & Bank of NH Stage. Sink your feet into some Afrobeat and Hip hop with Martin Toe and Destin Boy Official! Martin Toe is a dynamic American Afropop/Hip-Hop artist from New Hampshire. From African roots, Martin inspires his fans to be unstoppable through a combination of raw energy and undaunted lyrics. His music promotes diversity and overcoming all obstacles, pulling from his past experiences with loss, war trauma, and hurt. Destin Boy Official is an Afrobeats and dancehall fusion artist, based in Manchester NH. He was born in Democratic Republic of Congo but raised in Kenya. When he was growing up he developed a love for music and performing.

Saturday, February 4 to Saturday, April 8

Black Quaker Lives Matter Film Festival & Forum – 1 PM. Hosted by The Black Quaker Project. We are proud to announce the 2023 Black Quaker Lives Matter Film Festival & Forum, a groundbreaking exploration of Black Friends who made a difference throughout both USA and world history.  From February 4 to April 8, we will hold screenings, dedicated to Quakers of Color, over Zoom.

Sunday, February 5 to March 22

Bringing It Back: Conversations We Still Need – 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Portsmouth Public Library, Livingston Room, 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth. Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH. In 2023, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will celebrate four hundred years as an incorporated town by honoring the city’s diverse and dynamic social, political, intellectual, cultural, economic, and spiritual history from the time of the first Native American settlements to the present. In recognition of this four-hundred-year milestone, BHTNH’s annual Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talk series will revisit significant themes from past conversations. The 2023 series will dig deeper into complex issues that often divide us in order to build inclusive communities in which we all can thrive.

Sunday, February 5

Before European Contact: Changing The Ways We Present Our History – 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Portsmouth Public Library, Livingston Room, 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth. Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH. Many rich stories about the complex history of our region remain hidden, oftentimes erased in the conventional dominant stories. These narratives start with European contact on these shores and the arrival of enslaved Africans. This conversation aims to foreground the silenced stories of the Indigenous and African American experiences before European contact. Panelists also will discuss how we can change the language we use to tell a truer history when that history is told from an Indigenous and African point of view.

Monday, February 6

Free Her NH Campaign Kickoff Town Hall – 6 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. Join organizers with the FreeHer NH campaign and some special guests, including Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, Joseph Lascaze (ACLU) and a NH mom to learn about how we are working to end the incarceration of women and girls in our state. Learn our priority legislation and other work to #FreeHer!

Sunday, February 12

The Paradox of Education for Black & Brown Children – 2 PM to 3:30 PM. Portsmouth Public Library, Livingston Room, 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth. Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH.  It has been a year since NH Legislators joined a wave of states across the country to pass laws prohibiting teaching critical perspectives on histories, laws, social practices, and literature that have excluded opposing voices and histories of African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and People of Color. For this panel, presenters will discuss the effect these “divisive concepts” laws have had on teaching excluded perspectives in their classroom with a particular focus on NH. The panel will also explore the paradox of an educational system based on the notion of socializing young people into the existing structure of society, while also claiming to have, as its core mission, the goal of teaching students to be critical thinkers.

Be well,

Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke 

AFSC’s New Hampshire "State House Watch" newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord which relate to racial, social, and economic justice. Bookmark www.afsc.org/State-House-Watch to read past and upcoming newsletters, including our 2022 End of Session Report. 

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. Check out our 2022 Highlights brochure!

‘State House Watch" received financial support for more than a decade 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!