State House Roundup

Dear Friend,

Last week Governor Sununu gave his budget address, where he laid out his priorities for the coming years. In his partisan and aggressive address, Sununu defended his $100 million tax cuts for the wealthiest 3% of corporations they didn’t need and didn’t want while refusing to address critical issues facing the state.

What was missing?
-Full Funding for DCYF
-Student Debt Crisis
-Increase Medicaid Reimbursements
-Property Tax Relief
-Transportation and Infrastructure
-And Much More

In the coming weeks, it is important that we hold Sununu and the Republicans accountable. One of the ways to do this is by writing Letters to the Editor to your local paper. This is a great way to reach a wide range of voters in all areas of the state about the issues important to you. And the best part, it is really easy to do.

Interested in learning more? Contact anyone below to get started!

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.

Best,

Slate Goodwin                                              Sarah Guggenheimer
Outreach Director                                         Deputy Communications Director                  sgoodwin@nhdp.org                                     sguggenheimer@nhdp.org

Donnie Spencer                                            Ben Ernst
Grassroots Director                                       Political Director
dspencer@nhdp.org                                      bernst@nhdp.org

Table of Contents

McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner

THIS FRIDAY! 

Buy your ticket today to hear from our special guest Senator Elizabeth Warren and to join hundreds of other Democratic activists and elected officials at the 60th annual McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner!

60th Annual McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner
Who: Senator Elizabeth Warren
Where: Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Downtown
700 Elm St, Manchester NH
When: Friday, February 22nd
6:00PM
Buy your ticket HERE!

Priority Hearings

Education Funding

Tuesday, February 19th, 10:00 AM / House Education/ Room 207, Legislative Office Building

HOUSE – Education – HB 709relative to the formula for determining funding for an adequate education.

Why this matters: This bill addresses two important issues at once – education and property tax relief. A child’s education should never be determined by their zip code. HB 709 establishes new ways to fund our schools while providing vital property tax relief to Granite Staters.

NOTE: This is Full Committee Work Session meaning people can not testify but can attend.

SMART ACT

Wednesday, February 20th, 10:00 AM/ Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs/ Room 102, Legislative Office Building

SENATE – Election Law and Municipal Affairs – SB 7, establishing the secure modern accurate registration act (SMART ACT).

Why this matters:  The SMART ACT would allow people to register to vote at the DMV, making registering to vote easier and more accessible for all eligible voters in New Hampshire. Democrats view it as our responsibility to encourage an engaged and active electorate, and this bill will help do just that. Currently a majority of states across the country have taken steps to encourage voter registration. The SMART Act is a New Hampshire solution that will modernize how people can register to vote.

On The Floor

Commuter Rail Project Development

Thursday, February 21st, Senate Chamber

SENATE – Transportation – SB 241relative to funding for the project development phase of the capitol corridor rail project.

Why this matters: This bill allows NH DOT to utilize federal funding for the purpose of completing the project development phase of the commuter rail project. Sununu helped kill this bill the last time it was up. This is a very important next step that will bring us closer to having more transportation options in New Hampshire.

Juneteenth Observance

Thursday, February 21st, Senate Chamber

SENATE – Executive Departments and Administration – SB174,  proclaiming an annual observance of Juneteenth.

Why this matters: Juneteenth, a combination of June and nineteenth, is an annual celebration across the United States marking the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. This bill will add New Hampshire to the ever-growing list of states who recognize this holiday.

Independent Redistricting Commission Bills

Why this matters: Creating fair, non-gerrymandered districts creates representation that accurately reflects communities across New Hampshire. For too long, New Hampshire’s legislative districts have been gerrymandered to make sure the party in power, stays in power. An independent commission will make sure every vote matters and that absurdly drawn districts are a thing of the past. There are multiple bills currently in the legislator addressing this issue.

Bill 1:
Wednesday, February 20th, Room 102, Legislative Office Building
SENATE – Election Law and Municipal Affairs – SB 8establishing an independent redistricting commission.

Bill 2:
HOUSE – Election Law – HB 706establishing an independent redistricting commission.

Bill 3:
HOUSE – Election Law – CACR 9relating to redistricting. Providing that an independent redistricting commission shall be established to draw boundaries for state and federal offices.

Results On The Floor

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Thursday, February 14th, Senate Chamber

SENATE – Finance – SB 1establishes a system of paid family and medical leave insurance.

Why this matters: Paid Family and Medical Leave support working families who need to take extended time away from work to care for a loved one. After torpedoing last year’s Paid Leave bill and calling the program a vacation (twice), Governor Sununu promised he would support the bill and laid out specific parameters that he required for viable legislation. Democrats complied with all of these specifications, but that didn’t stop Sununu from staging a photo-op announcing an underdeveloped and unrealistic plan that’s really nothing more than an idea.

PASSED: 13-10

Medicaid Rates

Thursday, February 14th, Senate Chamber

SENATE – Finance – SB 5, appropriation relative to Medicaid provider rates for mental health and substance misuse.

Why this matters: New Hampshire is continuing to fight the battle to provide adequate health coverage for mental health and substance abuse. This bill would increase subsidies for Medicaid, encouraging doctors to cover more procedures under this program, thereby giving Medicaid recipients better coverage and care. This will be a positive impact on communities across New Hampshire.

PASSED: 23-0

DCYF Staffing

Thursday, February 14th, Senate Chamber

SENATE – Finance – SB6, relative to child protection staffing and making an appropriation therefor.

Why this matters: For years we’ve seen how a poorly funded Department of Children and Youth Family Services can hurt Granite State children. Following the recommendations from the recently released DCYF audit, this legislation would gradually provide enough funding to support adding additional workers to ease the burden on current staffing and lower case numbers. In proposing this bill, Democrats seek to remedy past problems and give families the attention and resources they deserve.

PASSED: 23-0

Feminine Hygiene Products in Public School Restrooms

Thursday, February 14th, Senate Chamber

SENATE – Education and Workforce Development – SB 142, requiring feminine hygiene products in school restrooms.

Why this matters: It is important that all students have a distraction-free learning environment. This bill does just that. Many students do not have access to feminine hygiene products which causes a distraction in the learning. Feminine Hygiene Products would be made available for free in public schools restrooms.

PASSED: 17-6

Salary History on Job Applications

Thursday, February 14th, House Chamber

HOUSE – Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services – HB 211, relative to inquiries by prospective employers concerning salary history.

Why this matters: Would bar companies from asking for a candidate’s salary history on an application. This process helps keep women from getting salary equity in the workplace and maintains systemic sexism in the workplace.

PASSED: 212-139

Criminal Record on Job Applications

Thursday, February 14th, House Chamber

HOUSE – Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services – HB 211, relative to criminal records checks in the employee application process.

Why this matters: Would bar companies from asking for a candidate’s criminal record in the job application process. As job seekers look for upward mobility, they can hit a brick wall due to these background checks. This bill would end discrimination based on the applicant’s past.

PASSED: 212-139

Action Alert

Knock Doors in Nashua

Join Democratic candidate for Nashua Alderman, Ben Clemons, and knock doors for his upcoming special election on March 5th. As the first election following the historic 2018 Midterms, we can’t let the Republicans steal away any of the momentum we gained last cycle.

When: Saturday and Sunday at 10:00AM in Nashua.
Where: 188 Ash St, Nashua

FACEBOOK EVENT LINK

For more info, contact Slate at sgoodwin@nhdp.org.

Town Meeting Day

As Town Meeting Day quickly approaches, the NHDP is here to support your town and county committees to get Democrats elected in these important elections.

If you know anyone running for the March 12th Town Meeting Day, please email our political team at political@nhdp.org
Here’s to even more Democratic victories in 2019, 2020 and beyond!

Upcoming FITN Visits

As the First in the Nation Primary season officially heats up, please use this section to learn about when candidates will be visiting the state!

February 18th – Kamala Harris
Portsmouth Town Hall
South Church, 292 State Street, Portsmouth
4pm

February 20th – Marianne Williamson
Exeter Meet & Greet
Water Street Bookstore, 125 Water Street, Exeter
6pm

February 24th – Eric Swalwell 
Concord Meet & Greet
10 Pine St., Concord
11:30am

February 25th – Eric Swalwell 
Dover Meet & Greet
Flight Coffee Co. Cafe
6pm

March 5th – John Delaney
Raymond Democratic Meeting
Tucker Lodge, Raymond NH
7PM

April 3rd – Andrew Yang
“The War on Normal People”
Gibbons Bookstore, Concord NH
6PM

Please note: This is a list of public events that candidates have made us aware of. The New Hampshire Democratic Party does its best to track all candidate and potential candidate visits to the state, however, if you are aware of a pending trip not listed or have more details on an event, please reach out to the office at political@nhdp.org to let us know!

This communication does not imply an endorsement or favoritism of any kind to any Democratic candidates actively engaged in competitive primary contests.

Reminder: Per DNC bylaws, all public events hosted by the NHDP, County Committees, Regional Committees, and Town Committees must be open to the press. 

Check out the NHDP Store

Click HERE to buy your NHDP swag today!

Contact Your Regional Staff!

All members of town and county committees with specific issues should reach out to their regional point of contact.

Donnie Spencer is the NHDP’s new Grassroots Director after serving as a Field Organizer for the Coordinated Campaign. He will also be the point of contact for Belknap and Carroll Counties and can be reached at dspencer@nhdp.org.

Slate Goodwin is now the Party’s Outreach Director after serving as a Regional Organizing Director during the Coordinated Campaign and will be the point of contact for Coos, Grafton, and Merrimack Counties and the cities of Manchester and Nashua. He can be reached at sgoodwin@nhdp.org.

Ben Ernst is the former State Senate Campaigns Director and is the NHDP’s Political Director. He will be the point of contact for Cheshire, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan Counties and the towns of Hillsborough County. He can be reached at bernst@nhdp.org.

Social Media

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