Week in review and the road ahead
NH Senate Republicans made some swipes at affordability this week. Meanwhile, some good and bad things around the corner. Lets discuss...
Happy Friday to all our readers, and a preemptive happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day. This weekend, we should all take pause to recognize the message and efforts of Dr. King, and the Civil Rights movement. As we speak, our federal government is violating the 4th amendment of our Constitution in their unlawful searches, seizures, and detentions of Americans. Our federal government refuses to reckon with the fact they used horrific excessive force in murdering our fellow citizen, Renee Good. Our federal government continues to proliferate a nativist and nationalist messaging while flirting with invoking the Insurrection Act. America is resilient, as are her people. We will only overcome these dark, challenging times by standing on the shoulders of the brave, historic champions of our past like Dr. King and his contemporaries.
Just this week, signal chats were leaked which revealed that a member of the NH House Republican Leadership advocated for segregating our schools again. They rebuffed the criticism by insisting they meant political segregation — as if that were okay. Evidently, we have a long way to go, and can never give up in working toward a future for our children and grandchildren where there truly is dignity, liberty, and justice for all.
In other news, numerous tariff-related proposals were struck down in the Senate this week which would have provided relief to farmers, small businesses, and food affordability to consumers. All fell by the wayside at the hands of Senate Republicans who insisted that tariffs really weren’t an issue. This took place while their House counterparts were gearing up for hearing bills to repeal the business enterprise and business profits tax in the days to come. Republican leadership does not find lending you a hand, or conducting themselves in a respectful manner prudent. Yet they find lending a helping hand to corporations — ultimately putting even more pressure on your own property taxes — far more necessary. These actions convey no leadership, just subservience to interests that are neither yours nor mine.
The Senate Democrats, on the other hand, are preparing to introduce another slew of bills this coming week which do demonstrate leadership, and service to our shared interests as working Granite Staters. While the Senate Republicans are getting ready to discuss Medicaid work requirements, rolling back substance use treatment options, and more universal EFA expansions, the Senate Democrats are working toward housing affordability, education affordability, and cannabis legalization this coming week.
On Tuesday, January 20th at 1:50p.m., Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) will be introducing the Afford a Home Act (SB 419-FN-A) before the Senate Finance Committee. The Afford a Home Act expands the Housing Champions Program — which has delivered grants to dozens of communities — contributing to improved infrastructure funding and affordable housing development. Time and time again we hear that improved housing is a three legged stool, requiring zoning reform, permitting reform, and infrastructure development. We can cut all the red tape we want — if there is no water, no sewer, no utilities, there are no homes. Just dirt lots waiting for someone to magically call it a home. Senator Perkins Kwoka has worked on the Housing Champions program for years, and these grants are exactly what our towns and cities have been asking for to actually prop up the proverbial stool. You can sign in to show your support here, or appear before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.
On Thursday, January 22nd, Senator Debra Altschiller (D- Stratham) will be introducing her Standing up for Students Act before the Education Finance Committee. The Standing up For Students Act (SB 582-FN) complies with the numerous court orders for the State to contribute more to student’s adequate education aid — rather than relying on your property taxes to fill the gaps made by the State’s lack of contributions. The State is almost $3000 behind in necessary adequate aid per student, and your towns are picking up the tab. Sen. Altschiller is taking the helm to right the ship and turn the course toward a more equitable path. You can sign in here, or appear before the Senate Education Finance Committee on Thursday morning,
Also on Thursday, January 22nd, Senator Donovan Fenton (D-Keene) will be introducing SB 651-FN-A before the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:40p.m. This bill moves to legalize and regulate recreational cannabis for adults above the age of 21, something which the State has tried to do time and time again but routinely falls short on. It has always been ironic that the live free or die state has neglected to adopt these measures, especially considering we’re surrounded on all sides by States earning millions from their recreational cannabis programs. Vermont’s State government had earned roughly $20m in 2023 from cannabis revenue, Maine had earned $35m, and Massachusetts has earned a whopping $263m. If we fail to act, we are leaving that money on the table — money we desperately need to further relieve your property tax burden. You can sign in to support Sen. Fenton’s bill here, or show up Thursday afternoon to let the committee know how you feel on the record.
Despite the challenging week it’s been, we are grateful to be working for the average Granite Stater, and are full steam ahead in giving all our friends, families, and neighbors a fighting chance for a brighter, better future. As always, thank you for reading, stay tuned, and take care.