Inform & Connect
In the maelstrom of media we are exposed to, it is sometimes difficult to know what’s true, what it means, and what can we do about it.
Truth matters, and we can help you find it.
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The Legislative Docket
One of the most powerful things we can do to influence legislative action is to show up, proving that we are paying attention and putting our position in the record.
Attend legislative sessions and hearings (schedule links above)
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Check the schedule and follow your interests. Democracy dies in darkness!
You may watch House sessions live or recorded here.
You may watch Senate sessions live or recorded here.
Why is NH in a fiscal hole?
On the surface it just doesn’t make sense. We have high property taxes, services have been cut by a republican legislature everywhere you look, and NH is a relatively prosperous state. Shouldn’t be a problem you would think…
The reality is that over the past two decades the legislature, in pursuit of a “free-state“ agenda has pushed our budget to the brink. They continue to sell voters on a pig in a poke. Reduce revenue streams to inspire some promised benefit and then disappoint.
For example, The Business Enterprise Tax and Business Profits tax have been cut with the promise of increased revenues due to businesses thriving with less taxes. Well,… what has happened is a different story. First the good news, business taxes were reduced and business related revenues increased. Now the bad news, The lost revenues are estimated to be between $795M and $1.17B. The increased business related revenues were due to other factors and in fact, NH underperformed our neighbors in terms of business growth. Note that our neighboring states did not reduce their business taxes.
Now come school vouchers. Not expensive and great benefits Republicans say! Remember this when property taxes must rise yet again to make up for the squeeze!
What’s happening and how do we fix it?
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Write a Letter - Links Underlined
NEW BOSTON BEACON (10th of the month, 200 word max)
MANCHESTER UNION LEADER (anytime, 250 word max)
CONCORD MONITOR (anytime, 250 word max)
Letters to the Beacon reprinted with the authors permission…
Speak up for Financial Stewardship!
Our NH legislature has repeatedly chosen to “downshift” responsibility for state obligations. They have done this by reducing revenue sources such as the Business Enterprise/Business Profits taxes, and Interest & Dividends taxes, while mandating local funding of state obligations. Examples include Education, County Services, and Public Safety, Roads and Infrastructure Maintenance.
When revenues are reduced the money has to come from somewhere so what happens? Our property taxes grow at an unsustainable rate. We are all reaching into our pocket twice a year for an ever-increasing tax bill.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The state legislature must fund state obligations from state revenue sources. Our representatives haven’t gotten the message. HB 155 is only the most recent example, passing with votes from all three of our reps. Another $24M up in smoke.
New Boston town administration does a fabulous job of delivering excellent service on a modest budget. Property tax increases have been minimized by their efforts at the expense of local priorities. The solution is in Concord. Demand that our Representatives vote in our interest.
Send Concord this message by supporting the voter-proposed warrant article to Protect Local Taxpayers.
Pete Ryder
Vouchers, Taxes, and our Future
Republicans control our state legislature, the governorship, and our local government. Have you seen our taxes go down under this leadership? In fact, the school voucher program increased in cost (from $8.1 to 51.6 million). The increase is due to an increase in eligibility to all families regardless of wealth; it was supported solely by Republicans. Moreover, business taxes have been reduced and dividend and interest taxes, largely paid by the well-to-do, have been removed starting in 2026 (loss of ~$37 million compared to last year but will be more in the future). These policies were also generated by Republicans.
There need to be sources of money other than our property taxes for our schools and government. More than 50 state fees increased Jan. 1, including vehicle registration. But higher fees are a punitive answer for many.
Perhaps if the voucher program was reduced to its original limits, and dividend taxes were reinstated on those in upper income brackets things could improve. We need practical, realistic solutions to affordability in NH. Support new, thoughtful leadership in our coming November election. We need government that works for us.
Ellen Anderson
A peaceful candlelight Vigil was held on January 9th for Renee Good, in Concord. Renee Good was the women shot by an ICE officer on January 7th in Minneapolis. She was an American citizen with a family.
In spite of the rain, 100s of people attended, according to one of the attendees.
Join the GSOP vigil on 1st Tuesdays of the month to support our immigrant neighbors
Voucher Accountability at Deliberative Session
New Hampshire communities value strong public schools and responsible use of public funds for education. But despite New Boston’s strong stand at the polls last year against the expansion of the Education Freedom Account program (school vouchers), our statewide representatives ignored the voters’ wishes and doubled its size, now estimated to cost more than $110 million this budget cycle, doling out more public funds for private education without regard to financial need, nor guardrails to evaluate fiscal responsibility nor educational performance.
NH’s Education Trust Fund was created to pay for adequate education grants to public school districts. These grants fund public schools, money that does not come from local property taxpayers. Vouchers are being distributed from that same Education Trust Fund. Every dollar paid for vouchers cannot be used to ease New Boston’s escalating property tax burden. Additionally, the legislature and governor refuse to follow NH Supreme Court rulings ordering the State to increase adequacy funding to cities and towns.
In early February, New Boston’s voters will have another opportunity to speak up in opposition to this wasteful diversion of taxpayer dollars. Please attend the deliberative session for the school ballot and support my petitioned warrant article to repeal universal school vouchers and place financial limits and accountability on the program.
Teri Harkins
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