Dear Friend,
Last week, President Trump continued to push his baseless voter fraud conspiracy, this time expanding his theory that he lost in New Hampshire because of voter fraud to include accusations of bused in voters from Massachusetts AND Connecticut.
Governor Sununu, who propagated a voter fraud conspiracy himself, and the New Hampshire Republicans will almost definitely use Trump’s comments as fuel to their growing fire on their voter suppression efforts, which already resulted in SB 3.
This year, New Hampshire Republicans have introduced three bills that would suppress the student vote: HB 372 and HB 1264, which both function as modern day poll taxes, and HB 1543, which would deny the right of college students to vote outright.
These attacks on our voting rights are an assault on our democracy and in the coming months we must all work together to make sure they don’t pass. Please continue to use this regular newsletter as a tool for your local committee meetings or as a supplement to your own regular newsletter.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have.
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Action Alert
Volunteer for Phil Spagnuolo for State Rep!
Help us kick off 2018 with another Special Election win by volunteering for Phil Spagnuolo in Laconia!
Phil Spagnuolo has been involved in Laconia’s community since moving there in 1979 with his family. He is a founding member of Navigating Recovery, working as part of the grassroots community group since March 2016, and has been a full time Recovery Support Worker since January 2017. Phil is passionate about being an advocate for those suffering from substance use disorder and uses his own journey of recovery to help others.
Election day is February 27th and we need YOUR help to get out the vote!
We’re canvassing every Saturday at 10 am at 345 South Main St., Laconia. Click HERE to sign up to help out by knocking doors or making calls. Email McKenzie St. Germain at mstgermain@nhdp.org with any questions.
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On the Floor
Gay Conversion Therapy Ban
Wednesday, February 7th / House of Representatives / Floor Vote
HOUSE – HB 587, relative to conversion therapy seeking to change a person’s sexual orientation
Why this matters: Weeks ago, Republican Speaker Gene Chandler cast two tie-breaking votes to continue the practice of gay conversion therapy for minors. On Wednesday, the legislature has another chance to ban this archaic and destructive practice.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Wednesday, February 7th / House of Representatives / Floor Vote
HOUSE – HB 628-FN, relative to a family and medical leave insurance program
Why this matters: This legislation would bring paid family and medical leave to New Hampshire. HB 628 seeks to provide families with the opportunity to seek medical treatment for themselves and their families without fear of losing their jobs.
Medicaid Expansion
Wednesday, February 7th / House of Representatives / Floor Vote
HOUSE – HB 1811-FN-A, relative to Medicaid Expansion reauthorization
Why this matters: New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion program is up for reauthorization this year. In 2016, the reauthorization passed by only one vote in the House of Representatives. This program benefits over 50,000 Granite Staters and has proven to be one of our best tools fighting the opioid crisis.
Condemning Hate Crimes
Wednesday, February 7th / House of Representatives / Floor Vote
HOUSE – HCR 13, relative to condemning hate crimes and any other form of racism in New Hampshire
Why this matters: In the wake of a New Hampshire resident playing a leading role in the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville and an attempted lynching of a biracial child in Claremont, this concurrent resolution would send a message that there is no place for racism or hate crimes in our state.
These bills are all scheduled for votes on Wednesday, February 7th. However, the Legislature may delay some of these votes to Thursday, February 8th.
To receive status updates for these bills or to learn when the House will next be in session, email Sue Ford (sueford06@gmail.com)
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Priority Hearings
Marcy’s Law
Tuesday, February 6th, 9:00AM / Judiciary / Room 101, Legislative Office Building
SENATE – CACR22, relating to rights for crime victims
Why this matters: This proposed amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution would allow survivors to be notified of all court proceedings involving their offender, giving them a chance to attend or participate. The amendment has received bipartisan support, with Democrats making a huge push to give victims the rights they deserve.
Be sure to call your State Representative and Governor Sununu’s office (603-271-2121) directly, to register your opinions on these important issues. If you’d like to attend one of these hearings or find out when the next session will take place, email Sue Ford (sueford06@gmail.com)
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Upcoming Events
This winter and upcoming spring, the NHDP staff is hitting the road for thirteen County Summits that will be packed with trainings and discussions relevant to strategic planning for 2018 elections! With more than 50% of statewide local committee officers being new members this year we are traveling the state to provide the training and organizing skills that will lay the foundation for success in 2018. We have the momentum, we are fine tuning our skills, and we are building our capacity in every town and county. Please add the following dates to your calendar and RSVP to join us at your county summit!
Click HERE to RSVP
Manchester – February 24
Click HERE to RSVP
Grafton (Upper Valley/Mascoma) – March 10
Click HERE to RSVP
Nashua – March 17
Click HERE to RSVP
Sullivan County – April 14
Click HERE to RSVP
Merrimack County – April 21
Click HERE to RSVP
Locations and times to follow.
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Sununu Reality Check
Despite his supposed “zero tolerance” policy on sexual misconduct, Governor Sununu has been silent about the members of his own party who have been accused of serial sexual assault and harassment. The New Hampshire Democratic Party has called on Sununu to condemn the behavior of three Republican elected officials with ties to the New Hampshire governor, but Sununu has deflected, ignored or refused all requests.
We put a clock up on the Sununu Reality Check website tracking the days that Governor Sununu has remained silent on three major cases of sexual misconduct: RNC Finance Chair Steve Wynn, State Rep. Eric Schleien, and President Trump.
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Follow Sununu Reality Check on Twitter, Facebook, and check out our website (SununuRealityCheck.com) to get updates on how we’re holding Sununu accountable.
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Social Media Buzz
Click on the Tweet to View it on Twitter
Share on Facebook
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In the News
Turning our backs on public schools
By: Anthony McManus (Dover)
We should encourage young people to vote
By: Ronna Flaschner (Rye)
Seacoast Online: READ HERE
Will school choice bill end up increasing taxes?
By: Lori Mahar (Barnstead)
Laconia Daily Sun: READ HERE
The GOP playbook
By: Jeremiah Minihan (Rochester)
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Get Involved
We are going to need all hands-on-deck in 2018. If you’d like to get involved, please let us know. There are many ways to help out! You can volunteer to write letters to your local paper, call your local representatives, testify at hearings, or share posts on social media.
SIGN UP HERE |
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