NH senators passed their version of the state budget on June 5, 2025. William Skipworth/NH Bulletin
“Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people's minds the thought of victory and the thought of punishing the enemy coincide.” - Barbara Deming
“The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation.” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Greetings, State House Watchers,
We hope that Pride Month celebrations are nourishing your spirit with the creativity, resistance, and courage that are the gifts of queer folk living their authentic selves and insisting on their right to exist and thrive.
For additional encouragement, we recommend Daniel Hunter’s take on the people power that helped to drive Elon Musk from the White House: The Real Reason Musk Retreated. “Workers ignoring Musk orders. Institutional resistance to DOGE. Tesla Takedown. Pension letters. All these efforts beat back the salesmanship of Donald Trump hawking Teslas on the White House lawn and the richest man attempting to insulate himself from the people’s will. This is a collective achievement. And I know, it’s hard to hold any kind of victory in dire times of great loss, but trench warfare tells us that before you can fully stop a thing, you have to slow it down. This is a moment for marking a significant slowing.”
We’ve been mindful of the journey of the Madleen this past week, as the brave crew of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition are making their way to Gaza with humanitarian aid. The group, which includes climate activist Greta Thunberg, seeks to increase the international pressure for an immediate end to Israel’s catastrophic blockade of food. Read more here. In New Hampshire, Dartmouth College students began a hunger strike last week to urge their Board of Trustees to approve a divestment proposal.
At the State House, we continue to see lots of bad ideas win approval by majority votes in the House and Senate, although thankfully there have been some successful attempts at harm reduction.
The Senate passed their version of the state budget bills on Thursday; read more here, and here, and here. The Senate version restores the 3% cut to the Medicaid reimbursement rate made by the House; restores the Office of the Child Advocate (which was eliminated in the House version) but drastically reduces the positions and the resources necessary for the office to function; weakens the Housing Appeals Board; requires $50+ million in cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services; and, like the House version, establishes universal eligibility for school vouchers.
Senators restored some funding for developmental disability services that had been cut in the House version and added back some funds for the University System of NH. They also included the language of SB 246, also known as the Momnibus 2.0, which supports maternal and child health. Read more from New Futures.
Despite widespread recognition of the need for action to address the state’s affordable housing crisis, the Senate failed to support any substantive solutions. Read more from Housing Action NH.
Next week, we’ll find out if the House accepts the Senate’s version of the budget (not likely) or requests a Committee of Conference. Conferees will have until June 19 to reconcile differences, and the compromise budget will be voted on in both bodies on June 26. If an agreement is not reached, a ‘continuing resolution’ would be needed in order to fund state government operations.
Meanwhile in Congress, the federal budget reconciliation bill is getting scrutinized; advocates for children and families are sounding the alarm about the drastic cuts to health care access, food assistance and other family supports. Read more from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities here.
LGBTQ+ and Public Education
In a terrible step backward for transgender rights, Senators approved bills last week that will deny access to gender affirming care. Read more here. And both the House and Senate passed so-called Parental Bill of Rights legislation – HB 10 and SB 72 – as well as SB 96. All of these bills would erode safety for students who seek trusted adults at school. Read more here. It’s worth noting that amendments to deny access to birth control without parental consent were stripped from the parental rights bills before passage.
Piling on the harms for public education, the House approved (again) universal eligibility for school vouchers. We appreciate Garry Rayno’s commentary that those in the majority at the State House are attempting to “make a mess of public education.”
When the House and Senate meet in session on June 12, their work will be to address all bills that have passed both bodies but were amended in the non-originating chamber. In each case, the body will decide whether to concur with the amended version – in which case the bill moves on to the governor; to non-concur with the amended version – in which case the bill is defeated; or to non-concur and request a Committee of Conference (CoC). Committees of Conference must be formed by June 12, and must reach agreement on a final version of the bill no later than June 19. If the CoC fails to do so, the bill is defeated. If they do reach agreement, the full House and Senate must approve the final version on June 26. And then the 2025 state legislative session will be done, and we’ll all get a much-needed break.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayotte has been signing bills into law, with one veto last week. Read more here, and keep track of bill signings and vetoes here.
Immigration News
As we write this newsletter, there is breaking news of the Trump Administration sending 2,000+ National Guard troops to Los Angeles; the Secretary of Defense has suggested that US Marines may be deployed there as well. The machinery of authoritarianism is being rapidly deployed. More here.
The Trump Administration announced several travel bans last week, barring people from traveling to the U.S. from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The ban also puts restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Read more from AFSC. “As a Quaker organization that recognizes the inherent dignity of every person, AFSC has long advocated for policies that welcome and protect all people. Barring people from the U.S. based on their country of origin is racist and immoral and must be categorically opposed.”
We learned last week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is holding people in ‘abysmal conditions’ at their New England Regional Office in Burlington, MA. Read more here. We are thankful that young Marcelo Gomes da Silva was released from immigration custody after five days in detention, most of which were at that same location. The Milford (MA) High School teenager was detained while on his way to a volleyball game.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was returned to the United States, after having been illegally deported to El Salvador. The Trump Administration will continue to incarcerate him while bringing criminal charges against him. We recommend this ProPublica report of the Administration’s utter disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
ACTION ALERTS
OPPOSE SB 13-FN, (New Title) invalidating out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants and prohibiting driver's license issuance and renewal to individuals with pending asylum claims, regardless of a grant of temporary work authorization. This harmful bill would misuse public funds to target immigrant drivers from out of state who are driving with valid licenses; it has been amended to include provisions that will deny driver licenses to asylum applicants and even to those who have been granted asylum but haven’t yet received a green card. We urge the Senate to ‘non-concur’ with the House version of this bill so that it is defeated. You can find your own senator’s contact information here.
OPPOSE HB 613, relative to use of accessible voting systems. This harmful bill would undermine accessible voting for people with disabilities. Please reach out to your own Representatives to urge them to non-concur with this bill. You can use this action alert and talking points from Open Democracy.
OPPOSE SB 287, requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application and OPPOSE SB 218, relative to absentee ballots. Both of these bills would impose unfair restrictions on absentee voting. Please contact your own senators and urge them to non-concur with this bill. You can use this action alert and talking points from Open Democracy.
Support Victory Women of Vision’s Youth Camp by donating non perishable staples, fresh fruits and/or kid friendly snacks for their summer youth camp. Donations can be made by drop off at 50 Bridge Street, Suite 203 in Manchester or to arrange a pickup, call 603-623-8968.
Key:
LOB – Legislative Office Building (33 N. State St. Concord)
SH – State House (107 N. Main St. Concord)
OTP – “Ought to Pass,” the recommendation for approving a bill or an amendment
OTP/A – Ought to Pass with Amendment
ITL – “Inexpedient to Legislate,” the recommendation for defeating a bill or an amendment.
ITL” can also be used as a verb.
“Without Recommendation” - This indicates that the committee vote was a tie for both ITL and OTP. During the House session, these bills will be considered first as Ought to Pass.
Re-refer – When a Senate committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The recommendation to re-refer must be approved in the full Senate. The committee will have until the end of the calendar year to meet about the bill and make a recommendation for further action.
Retain – When a House committee wishes to hold onto a bill for further consideration. The committee makes this decision for themselves; approval in the full House is not needed. The committee has until the end of the calendar year to make a recommendation for further action.
RC – Roll call vote. Each legislator’s vote is recorded and attributed to them.
VV – Voice vote
DV – Division vote
Last week in the House
The House met in session on June 5. Here are the outcomes for the bills on our tracking list.
On the Consent Calendar
COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
SB 47, requiring certain health insurance policies of a birth mother to provide coverage for a newly born child from the moment of birth. OTP by VV.
SB 89, enabling non-citizens who are legally authorized to work in the United States to deliver alcohol. This bill proposes to amend New Hampshire law to allow non-citizens who are legally authorized to work in the United States to deliver alcoholic beverages. This change would expand employment opportunities in the alcohol delivery sector to include individuals with valid work authorization, such as those holding work visas or permanent resident status. OTP by VV.
SB 245-FN, prohibiting surprise ambulance billing and regulating ground ambulance reimbursement. OTP by VV.
WAYS AND MEANS
SB 249-FN, relative to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund. OTP-A by VV.
On the Regular Calendar
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW
SB 72-FN, establishing a parents’ bill of rights in education. OTP-A by RC, 214-167.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
SB 14-FN, relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses. OTP-A by RC, 214-167.
EDUCATION POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 57, establishing a study committee to analyze reducing the number of school administrative units. OTP-A by DV, 214-154.
SB 69-LOCAL, relative to acceptance of or rejection of charitable contributions, gifts, or donations by local school boards. OTP by VV.
SB 96, relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. OTP-A by RC, 198-172.
SB 100-FN, relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination. OTP-A by RC, 194-165.
SB 206-FN, requiring public schools to adopt policies to limit the use of cell phones by students. OTP-A by DV, 314-42.
SB 210, establishing a study committee to study the issue of school bullying. OTP-A by RC, 193-159.
ELECTION LAW
SB 213-FN, relative to absentee voting. OTP-A by DV, 189-148.
SB 218, relative to absentee ballot outer envelopes. OTP-A by RC, 192-149.
SB 221, relative to the verification of the checklist. OTP-A by RC, 184-153.
SB 287, requiring applicants for absentee ballots to present a copy of their photo identification with their application. OTP-A by RC, 187-149.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION
SB 178, relative to the department of health and human services laboratory services for testing of water supplies. OTP-A by VV.
SB 180-FN, designating Coos county as a distressed place-based economy. OTP-A by DV, 323-6.
FINANCE
SB 118-FN, (New Title) relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; and establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund. OTP by VV.
SB 295-FN, (New Title) relative to education freedom accounts. OTP-A by RC, 190-178.
Last week in the Senate
The full Senate met in session on June 5. Here are the outcomes of the bills we’re tracking.
On the Regular Calendar
CAPITAL BUDGET
HB 25-A, making appropriations for capital improvements. OTP-A by VV.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY LAW
HB 560, relative to parental access to a minor child’s medical records. Special ordered to end of the calendar, without objection.
COMMERCE
HB 60, relative to the termination of tenancy at the expiration of the tenancy or lease term. OTP-A by VV.
EDUCATION
HB 10-FN, establishing the parental bill of rights. OTP-A by VV.
HB 115-FN, relative to universal eligibility for the education freedom account program. Laid on table.
HB 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. OTP by RC, 16Y-7N.
EDUCATION FINANCE
HB 718, requiring the state board of education to report the unfunded financial impact to school districts for rules adopted by the board which exceed state or federal minimum standards. OTP-A by VV.
FINANCE
HB 71-FN, prohibiting the use of the facilities of a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education to provide shelter for aliens who have not been admitted into the United States and relative to department of health and human services contracts. OTP-A by RC, 16Y-7N.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HB 377-FN, relative to health care professionals administering hormone treatments and puberty blockers. OTP-A by RC, 16Y-7N.
HB 712-FN, limiting breast surgeries for minors. OTP-A by RC, 16Y-7N.
Coming Up in the House
The House will meet in session on June 12 starting at 10 AM. Watch it here. House members will take action on all remaining House bills that were amended in the Senate. They will decide to concur with the changes, non-concur, or non-concur and request a Committee of Conference (CoC). Here are the bills we’re tracking. You’ll notice that the House has aleady taken action on some of them.
House Bills Amended by the Senate
HB 10-FN, (New Title) establishing a parental bill of rights. House concurs.
HB 57, (New Title) relative to the standards applicable to bail in criminal matters.
HB 67-FN-A, relative to agreements with the secretary of state for the use of accessible voting systems. House requests CoC.
HB 92, (New Title) requiring recusal of members of zoning boards of adjustment and planning boards in certain circumstances. House concurs.
HB 123, (Second New Title) defining pre-sequestration timber tax revenue, establishing a moratorium on carbon sequestration and establishing a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration in New Hampshire forests upon state and local tax revenue, effective forest management, and the health of New Hampshire’s logging industry.
HB 132-FN, (Second New Title) eliminating liability for support and recovery over certain indigent relations. House requests CoC.
HB 151, relative to the term for supervisors of the checklist.
HB 154, enabling voters to request to have their ballots hand-counted.
HB 189, (New Title) relative to the department of energy’s 10-year state energy strategy and removing references to the energy efficiency and sustainable energy board.
HB 200, relative to the procedure for overriding a local tax cap.
HB 218-FN, relative to providing victims of crime with a free police report of the investigation.
HB 248, (New Title) relative to notice requirements regarding state employee investigations and relative to legislative ethics requirements. House non-concurs.
HB 270, (New Title) requiring the preservation of electronic ballot counting device external storage devices.
HB 273, relative to a parent’s access to their minor child’s library records. House requests CoC.
HB 309-FN, relative to making electronic rent payments optional.
HB 374, (New Title) relative to local tax cap and budget laws.
HB 504, relative to the state energy policy.
HB 566-FN, requiring permit applications for new landfills to contain a detailed plan for leachate management.
HB 606, (New Title) relative to a patient’s right to appropriate reproductive care for medical conditions. House concurs.
HB 672-FN, to allow for off-grid electricity providers in New Hampshire.
HB 682, relative to the office of offshore wind industry, the offshore and port development commission, and the office of energy innovation.
HB 685, permitting in all residentially zoned areas by right the construction of manufactured housing. House requests CoC.
HB 690-FN, directing the department of energy to investigate the state’s withdrawal from ISO-New England and other strategy decisions that impact ratepayers in relation to New England’s environmental policy.
HB 710-FN, (New Title) enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators. House requests CoC.
HB 752, relative to procedures for the closing of a charter school.
HB 768, (New Title) allowing public schools to contract with any approved nonpublic school.
HB 771-FN, relative to funding for open enrollment schools.
HB 778-FN, (New Title) authorizing the director of the police standards and training council to detail law enforcement training specialists employed by the council for law enforcement and crowd control services and relative to disability retirement benefits.
Coming Up in the Senate
The Senate will meet in session on Thursday, June 12 starting at 10 AM. You can watch it here. They will take action on all remaining Senate bills that were amended by the House. They will decide to concur with the changes, non-concur, or non-concur and request a CoC. Here are the bills we’re tracking. You’ll notice that the Senate has already taken action on some of them.
Senate Bills Amended by the House
SB 13-FN, (New Title) invalidating out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented immigrants and prohibiting driver's license issuance and renewal to individuals with pending asylum claims, regardless of a grant of temporary work authorization.
SB 14-FN, (New Title) relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses; relative to establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting; and relative to amending the penalties for the possession and use of a quantity of psilocybin for persons 18 years of age or older.
SB 18, permitting the commissioner of health and human services to authorize additional beds for a pediatric intermediate care facility under certain circumstances.
SB 57, (New Title) establishing a study committee to analyze reducing the number of school administrative units and establishing a commission to study the costs of special education.
SB 58-FN, (New Title) relative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting. Senate concurs.
SB 62, (New Title) relative to law enforcement participation in a federal immigration program and relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Senate concurred. Signed by Governor.
SB 69-L, (Second New Title) relative to acceptance of or rejection of charitable contributions, gifts, or donations by local school boards, establishing a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program, and specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right-to-know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status.
SB 72-FN, (New Title) establishing a parental bill of rights.
SB 96, (New Title) relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents and relative to enforcement of parental rights against school districts and school employees.
SB 97-FN, relative to intra-district public school transfers.
SB 100-FN, (New Title) relative to the prohibition on teaching discrimination.
SB 108-FN, relative to the department of energy.
SB 118-FN, (Second New Title) relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund; and permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.
SB 119-FN, (New Title) relative to Medicaid pharmaceutical services and relative to standing orders for Ivermectin.
SB 174, prohibiting planning boards from considering the number of bedrooms a given unit or development has during the hearing and approval process.
SB 178, relative to the department of health and human services laboratory services for testing of water supplies.
SB 180-FN, (New Title) designating Coos county as a distressed place-based economy and requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills.
SB 188-FN, (New Title) relative to the state building code.
SB 206-FN, (New Title) requiring school districts and chartered public schools to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education.
SB 210, (Second New Title) relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention and relative to allowing parents to send their children to any school district they choose.
SB 249-FN, relative to the uncompensated care and Medicaid fund.
SB 267-FN, relative to the penalty for engaging in prostitution as a patron.
SB 291, relative to the religious use of land property tax exemption.
SB 292-FN, (New Title) relative to education freedom accounts. Senate concurs.
SB 295-FN, (New Title) relative to education freedom accounts. Senate concurs.
Recommendations
The YOCOP (Youth Organizing Community of Practice) 2025 Mutual Aid Fund is open and accepting applications. Find more information here: YOCOP Mutual Aid Fund Application and the YOCOP Mutual Aid Fund Policy.
Are you finding it hard to keep up with all of the harms being enacted by the current administration? Here’s a helpful but daunting report: Documenting the Damage - 100 Harmful Policies from the First 100 Days of the Second Trump Administration. And you can track all Trump executive orders and actions here.
Do you live, work, attend school, or do business in Concord? The City of Concord’s Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging (DEIJB) Committee is seeking to understand the lived experiences of Concord’s diverse community groups regarding access to city services, programs, and opportunities, and feelings of belonging and inclusion. Sign up now for a focus group interview here.
Job Postings
The Resource Organizing Project (ROP) is hiring two positions to focus on donor and funder organizing across New England. The first position is a Donor Organizer who will be working to recruit and engage cross-class individual movement donors. The second position is an Associate Director for Resource Mobilization who will co-lead our overall strategy for expanding the pie of movement resources through collective fundraising projects. Learn more about both positions and apply here.
Upcoming Events
Many thanks to Mike Franklin for creating this list of weekly vigils for peace and justice across the state. Find it here.
Much gratitude to Occupy Seacoast for this comprehensive calendar of actions across the state. Find it here.
June is Pride Month!
We thank Queerlective for this statewide calendar of events. Find the ones near you!
Every Third Tuesday
Protect, Resist and Build with AFSC– 8 PM to 9:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC. Monthly webinar series that brings together AFSC constituents to learn about how to protect, resist, and build just peace, just migration, and just economies.
Every Wednesday
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now - 2 PM in Dover at the district offices of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Chris Pappas. The June 11 vigil will be at Shaheen’s office, 340 Central Avenue, Dover. The June 18 vigil will be at Pappas' new district office location, 15 Third Street, Dover; we gather at the entrance to Henry Law Park.
Every Thursday
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Peace in Palestine & Israel - 5:30 PM. Hosted by AFSC.
Solemn Vigils for Ceasefire Now – 12 noon at City Hall Plaza, in front of the State House, Concord.
Every Friday
AFSC Action Hour for a Ceasefire – 12 noon. Join AFSC staff every Friday at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action with us as we contact our elected officials and call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us.
Stronger Together: Protect Our Neighbors Weekly Visibility – 4 PM to 5 PM. Hosted by the Stronger Together Coalition. Corner of North Main Street and Loudon Road, Concord. Join us for a weekly visibility to stand against the war being raged against our communities. Our immigrant loved ones and neighbors are being targeted and kidnapped off the streets. Our public dollars are being funneled into a violent, bloated deportation and detention machine while local police are being weaponized against the communities they are supposed to serve, and life-giving programs are being defunded. Stand with us to protect our communities. All are welcome!
Saturday, June 7
Manchester, NH Ward 5 Community Meeting - 10 AM to 12 PM. Manchester Community Resource Center - 434 Lake Ave, Manchester (Floor 4, Oddfellows Hall). Hosted by Owen Westover. This gathering is completely resident‑led and unsponsored by the City of Manchester. Invite friends, family, and any Ward 5 neighbors; every voice matters! Spanish interpretation will be offered at future meetings to ensure full participation.
Monday, June 9
What is an Electricity Peaker Plant? How Can "Peak Busters" Save Me Money? - 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Hoste by NH Network. Join us to learn about peaker plants and how ratepayers can take action to shut them down. Why do we want to shut down fossil fuel peaker plants?
Money – 10-20% of our utility bills go to operate more than 60 peaker plants in New England. Fewer peakers means cheaper utility bills.
Pollution – Dirty fossil fuels like oil and gas power most peaker plants. They increase pollution, affect our health, and exacerbate climate change.
We don’t need them – ISO-New England will tell you this is the only way to have reliable electricity, but there are other options. Find out how peaker plants are used, and how we can help avoid the peaks by “peakbusting” together.
Wednesday, June 11
Paint Me a Road Out of Here Film Screening & Panel Discussion - 6 PM. Colonial Theater – 20 Commercial Street, Keene. Featuring artists Faith Ringgold and Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, Paint Me a Road Out of Here uncovers the whitewashed history of Ringgold’s masterpiece, “For the Women’s House,” following its 50-year journey from Rikers Island jail to the Brooklyn Museum in a poignant, funny, and true parable of a world without mass incarceration. The screening will be followed by a talk back with Joseph Lascaze from The Sentencing Project, and AFSC’s Ophelia Burnett, founder of O So Beautiful: The Women’s Reentry Initiative.
Thursday, June 12
Advocate & Partner Organization Appreciation Event - 4 PM to 6 PM. State House Lawn - 107 North Main St. Concord. Hosted by New Futures. In the world of policy advocacy, progress isn't always measured in legislative victories. Sometimes, it's about the strength we build together, the voices we amplify, and the foundations we lay for future change. While this legislative session has presented challenges, one thing remains clear: the dedication of our community has been truly remarkable. Your tireless efforts advocating for evidence-based solutions to New Hampshire's health challenges deserve recognition and appreciation.
Small Business Community Networking Celebration – 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Arlington Street Community Center – 36 Arlington St. Nashua. Hosted by SBDC NH & City of Nashua. Join us for delicious bites from local spots, great company and a chance to connect with fellow business owners and community champions. Learn more about how NH SBDC can support your business with free resources, connections and opportunities!
Supporting Our LGBTQIA+ Community - 6 PM. Hosted by Unitarian Universalist Action NH. In this time of discrimination and oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community in New Hampshire and in our nation, will you be someone who rises to the occasion to support our siblings?
United Through Color Exhibition Reception - 6 PM to 8 PM. 48 Bridge Street #3F, Nashua. Hosted by Positive Street Art & NH Council on Developmental Disabilities. New Hampshire's first fully integrated Residency and Exhibition! Experience Art created by artists across the spectrum of abilities.
Open Democracy Book Club: Ungoverning - 7 PM. Hosted by Open Democracy. In this unsettling book, Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum trace how ungoverning—the deliberate effort to dismantle the capacity of government to do its work—has become a malignant part of politics. Democracy depends on a government that can govern, and that requires what’s called administration. The administrative state is made up of the vast array of departments and agencies that conduct the essential business of government, from national defense and disaster response to implementing and enforcing public policies of every kind. Ungoverning chronicles the reactionary movement that demands dismantling the administrative state. The demand is not for goals that can be met with policies or programs. When this demand is frustrated, as it must be, the result is an invitation to violence.
Friday, June 13
Erased Bloodlines: The Black Descendants of the 'Founding Fathers" and Those They Enslaved - 6 PM. 3S Artspace, Portsmouth. Hosted by Black Heritage Trail of NH & 3S Artspace. History is often told in fragments, leaving out the voices that disrupt America's founding myth. This Juneteenth, we invite you to join a groundbreaking conversation that brings together some Black descendants of America's early Presidents alongside a descendant of the enslaved from New Hampshire’s Moffatt-Ladd House. Their stories challenge the myths we tell about our founding fathers and deepen our understanding of freedom, democracy, and resilience. This vital conversation reclaims history, reshapes perspectives, and reaffirms the power of truth.
Saturday, June 14
No Kings, Yaaas Queens! NH 50501 National Day of Protest - 1 PM to 5 PM. 107 N Main St, Concord. Hosted by 50-50-1 NH. Come one, come all! We will celebrate pride while ALSO protesting the gross universal harm and negligence of the Trump administration! We will have free refreshments as well as port-a-potties donated by one of our amazing volunteers! Speakers, music, outreach, and fun!
Still We Rise: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Resistance, Joy & Liberation - 7 PM to 9 PM. The Venue at Portwalk Place - 22 Portwalk Place, Portsmouth. Hosted by BLM New Hampshire and the Black Heritage Trail of NH. Join us for a night of radical remembrance, communal joy, and unapologetic Black liberation. This Juneteenth, we’re not just celebrating freedom; we’re reclaiming space, honoring ancestors who fought to break chains, and gathering in the spirit of resistance that still fuels our movement today. Join us for an evening rooted in legacy and love — with food, live performances, and the stories they tried to erase. This is more than a dinner; it’s a declaration: that Black lives, Black history, and Black futures are sacred, and we will never stop fighting for them.
Tuesday, June 17
Immigration & the Immigrant Experience in NH: Panel Discussion feat. Immigration Advocates Debbie Leavitt, Grace Kindeke, Peggy Kieschnick, & Jim Verschueren - 7 PM to 8 PM. Location shared with registrants. Hosted by the Dover Democrats. Join the Dover Democrats as we host a panel of Immigrant Justice Advocates to discuss Immigration and the Immigrant Experience in New Hampshire. Led by a panel of community advocates, we will explore the current state of immigration in New Hampshire to include the immigrant experience, the myths, the facts, and the ways to offer support. This is a unique opportunity to learn about this critical issue from people engaged on a daily basis in support of our new friends and neighbors.
BLM NH Community In Conversation Monthly Series - 7 PM. Hosted by BLM NH. Join BLM NH in this monthly zoom series as we uplift the stories of Black Leaders in the Nonprofit Space in New Hampshire. This month’s speaker panel includes: Julianne Gadoury, Carrie Neill, Lionel Loveless, Emmett Soldati and Jyoma Tamang.
Wednesday, June 18
Don’t Imprison Our Neighbors – 5 PM. 329 Mast Rd. Goffstown. For all Hillsborough County residents only. Please join us at the next Hillsborough County meeting to speak out against local resources and local law enforcement being used to arrest and detain our immigrant neighbors and loved ones.
Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth!
A Drumbeat For Spiritual Renewal – 11 AM – 12:15 PM. African Burying Ground Memorial Park – Portsmouth. Hosted by the Black Heritage Trail of NH. Join us for a powerful and moving celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the African Burying Ground Memorial Park. This extraordinary public space honors the lives of enslaved Africans buried beneath the streets of Portsmouth. This year's commemorative event weaves together ritual, remembrance, and resistance through the vibrant language of African drumming and dance, spoken word, and community connection. This is not just a ceremony but a call to presence, action, and collective healing.
Juneteenth Celebration - 5 PM to 8 PM. Central Sq, Keene. Hosted by the City of Keene, Keene Family YMCA & Monadnock International Film Festival. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, it took two and a half years for slaves in the state of Texas to be told of their freedom. Juneteenth is the celebration of the day when all enslaved individuals became aware of their freedom. This free, family-friendly community event will feature musical performances by Sayon Camara & Landaya and Crys Matthews. All are welcome at this free, family-friendly event. Join us as we celebrate freedom!
Saturday, June 21
Juneteenth New England - 1 PM to 5 PM. Crossway Christian Church - Downtown Campus, 33 Pine St, Nashua. Hosted by the Black Womxn in NH Collective. Join us for a vibrant celebration of Black American culture, history, and joy! This year’s event will feature: Live Performances, Educational Exhibits, Delicious Food, Music & Games.
Tuesday, June 24
Fight for Our Future Rally – 5 PM. State House – 107 N. Main St. Concord. Join local organizations, community members and advocates to protest the terrible state budget that has been passed which leaves too many people in our communities behind. All are welcome!
Wednesday, June 25
How Affordable Housing Happens - 8 AM to 10 AM. Hosted by NH Housing. the first event in our 2025 Affordable Housing Seminar Series. This dynamic session is designed to connect partners, spark collaboration, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the newly structured Multifamily Housing Division at New Hampshire Housing. Whether you’re a longtime stakeholder or just starting to work in this space, this is a valuable chance to connect, ask questions, and stay informed about the evolving landscape of affordable housing development in New Hampshire.
Saturday June 28
Manchester Frederick Douglass Reading - "What to the Slave is your Fourth of July?" - 11 AM to 2 PM. Manchester City Library - 405 Pine St. Manchester. Hosted by Manchester NAACP & the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire.
NH Communities Read Frederick Douglass: "What to the Slave is your Fourth of July?" - 12 PM. Various Locations Across NH. Hosted by Black Heritage Trail of NH & Local Community Groups. For the past several years, the BHTNH has collaborated with community leaders around the Granite State to bring people together to read Douglass’ historic protest speech and to reflect on its meaning. This event happens on the Saturday before the 4th of July at 12:00 pm (noon.)
While reading Frederick Douglass’ work is a powerful experience for many, it is only one piece of the long-overdue conversations that our communities need to have. We hope that these readings will be a starting point for these difficult dialogues and that they will provide an opportunity for us to engage in deeper conversations that will lead to actions to help build more inclusive and just communities today.
With best wishes,
Maggie Fogarty, Grace Kindeke and Kathleen Wooten
AFSC’s New Hampshire “State House Watch“ newsletter is published to bring you information about matters being discussed in Concord including housing, the death penalty, immigration, education, civil liberties, and labor rights. We also follow the state budget and tax system, voting rights, corrections policy, and more.
The AFSC is a Quaker organization supported by people of many faiths who care about peace, social justice, humanitarian service, and nonviolent change. Maggie Fogarty and Grace Kindeke staff the New Hampshire Program which publishes this newsletter. Kathleen Wooten is AFSC’s State House Watch researcher and database manager.
"State House Watch" is made possible in part by a grant from the Anne Slade Frey Charitable Trust. Your donations make our work possible. Click the DONATE NOW button on our web page to send a secure donation to support the work of the AFSC’s New Hampshire Program. Thank you!.