Dear Friend,
January 5th marked one year since Governor Sununu’s inauguration. Since taking office, Sununu has worked steadily to line the pockets of his family, friends, donors, and corporations while leaving working families to fend for themselves. In honor of his anniversary, here’s a list of Sununu’s greatest accomplishments since taking office:
 Gave himself a $22,000 pay raise on Day 1
Gave $100 million in corporate tax cuts for the wealthiest 3% of corporations
Failed to fully fund the Alcohol Fund
Signed the concealed carry bill, as his first legislative “victory”
Signed the voter suppression bill, SB 3
Denied state workers a contract
Nominated New Hampshire’s own Betsy DeVos with Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut
Benefitted from then-Governor Hassan’s economic growth
Let’s make sure 2018 is the last year that Sununu can implement his radical and dangerous agenda by electing Democrats and winning back the Governorship, Executive Council, and State House.
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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Town Meeting Day
This year the NHDP is working with Town and County Committees to recruit and elect Democrats to run for local office. 2017 proved that every district can be competitive. Change starts at the local level. To run for office or help in your community, sign up below!
Filing Deadline: January 24th – February 2nd
Election Day: March 13th
Sign up to get involved here: https://goo.gl/forms/EeCfeSLn2DLA7D5W2
If you have questions – reach out to Erin Turmelle at eturmelle@nhdp.org |
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On the Floor
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
Tuesday, January 9th / Science Technology and Energy / House Vote
HOUSE – HB 592, relative to repealing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Why this matters: New Hampshire is one of 9 states that belongs to RGGI. Within this partnership, each state has pledged to cut pollution by 30% by 2030. Following President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords, Sununu supported the decision, going so far as to question the role carbon plays in climate change. He also refused to join the US Climate Alliance. If New Hampshire repeals RGGI, this will be one more instance of state Republicans refusing to acknowledge and combat climate change.
Banning Conversion Therapy
Tuesday, January 9th / Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs / House Vote
HOUSE – HB 587, relative to conversion therapy seeking to change a person’s sexual orientation
Why this matters: Last year, this bill that would ban gay conversion therapy for minors was retained in committee after it passed in the Senate. In the past two years, Republicans in the State House have blocked three bills that are fundamental to human rights: they retained the conversion therapy ban, voted down a bill that would have raised the marriage age from 13, and tabled a transgender rights bill.
If you’d like to attend a hearing or get updates on when the next session will take place, email Sue Ford ( sueford06@gmail.com) for more information. |
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Legislative Review
Last week, the Republican-led House of Representative passed SB 193, a school voucher bill that would divert funds away from public schools, sending the money instead to places like the Tri-City Christian Academy, that banned a student who was on track to be valedictorian because he was transgender. This bill would also harm disabled students as private schools are not required to be ADA compliant or have special needs teachers. SB 193 will go in front of the House Finance Committee next week.
New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion is up for reauthorization this year. This program benefits thousands of Granite Staters but still faces steep Republican opposition. In 2016, thanks to then-Governor Hassan’s leadership, the program was renewed, but Sununu’s support for this program has wavered. The bill will be up for review at the House Health and Human Services Committee next week.
Be sure to call your State Representative today and Governor Sununu’s office (603-271-2121) directly, to register your opposition to both of these bills.
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) for more information. |
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Platform Committee
The NHDP Platform Committee will prepare and propose the New Hampshire Democratic Party Platform for 2018-2019 to the State Convention. Committee members will travel the state to hold over a dozen public hearings with the Party membership prior to preparation of the proposed Platform. There will be multiple work sessions that all members must attend as well. Please keep in mind that with this position comes real dedication and time commitment.
If you would like to apply for a position on the Platform Committee, please email Amy Kennedy at akennedy@nhdp.org along with your resume and topics of interest by February 1st, 2018.
If you would like more information on the Platform Committee, please refer to the NHDP Constitution HERE. |
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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
Cheshire County – February 10
Click HERE to RSVP
Rockingham County– February 18
Click HERE to RSVP
Manchester – February 24
Click HERE to RSVP
Hillsborough County – February 25
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
Check out Sununu Reality Check, a project we designed to hold Governor Sununu accountable for his out-of-touch policies that favor his family, friends and corporate special interests when he should be fighting for working families. We’re tired of his phony bipartisan doublespeak and his ‘aw shucks’ act, so we’re saying enough is enough. We’re focusing on five key issues: education, the economy, health care, the environment and ethics.
If everyone knows what Sununu’s real record is, we can make him a 1-term governor. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and check out and share our website (SununuRealityCheck.com) to stay updated and spread the word.
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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
Tell lawmakers to oppose voter suppression bills
By: Sharon Rousmaniere (Roxbury)
Keene Sentinel: READ HERE
Separate church and state
By: Alfrieda J. Englund (Munsonville)
Strengthen RGGI for our health and economy
By: Carrie Becker (North Hampton)
Seacoast Online: READ HERE
Oppose SB 193
By: Kori Boeckeler (Bow)
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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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