Dear Friend,
Happy President’s Day!
This holiday is meant to honor our nation’s first President, George Washington, a man who fought to free our nation of tyranny, respected the Constitution and the limitations it placed on him, and even created many of the extra-constitutional norms that made our country the most admired democracy in the world.
President Trump has done much to disgrace the office George Washington once held, but few things are as disappointing as his reaction to the devastating Parkland shooting that left 17 children dead. His severe lack of empathy and unwillingness to push for action highlights just how much is at stake in the upcoming elections.
We are still a long way off before the 2020 presidential election, but the 2018 midterms are just around the corner. Over the next nine months, let’s remember to stay focused and work to elect a Congress that will hold our President accountable and a Governor & State House that will protect New Hampshire from Trump’s radical policies. 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.
Let America Vote Phone Bank with Jason Kander
Join Jason Kander TOMORROW at a Let America Vote phone bank calling Governor Sununu to urge him to oppose HB 372, which would establish a modern day poll tax (and its 2018 twin, HB 1264). It’s so important that we work together to stop Republicans in the state legislature from their continuous attacks on eligible Granite Staters voting rights. If you can’t make it to Manchester you can still call from home. The event will take place tomorrow, February 20th, from 5pm – 7pm. RSVP HERE and please bring your phone and laptop!
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Priority Hearings
Medicaid Expansion
Tuesday, February 20th, 1:30PM / Finance / Representative’s Hall
SENATE- FINANCE- SB 313-FN, reauthorizing New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion program
Why this matters: New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion program is up for reauthorization this year. After the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted down the Democrat-sponsored Medicaid Expansion plan last week, the Republican plan is now up for debate in the Senate. 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.
Birth Control Insurance Coverage
Tuesday, February 20th, 1:45PM / Commerce / Room 100, State House
SENATE – Commerce – SB 421, relative to insurance coverage for birth control
Why this matters: Democratic Senator Donna Soucy has taken the lead on this bipartisan bill that seeks to secure rights for women to access birth control without jumping through extra hoops with their insurance plans. In the face of federal attacks on women’s rights to access birth control, this bill would shore up New Hampshire women’s ability to access birth control at no cost and allow them to to receive a 12 month dissension in a single pharmacy visit.
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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On the Floor
Urging the pardon of Jerry DeLemus
Thursday, February 22nd / House of Representatives / Floor Vote
HOUSE – HCR 11, urging the pardon of Jerry DeLemus
Why this matters: Jerry DeLemus is currently in jail after famously aiding anti-government white supremacist Cliven Bundy in a standoff against the federal government in Nevada. DeLemus is the founding member of the fringe right-wing group, Rochester 9/12, which Governor Sununu secretly met with last Summer.
Phasing out the interest and dividends tax
Thursday, February 22nd / Senate / Floor Vote
SENATE – SB 404, phasing out the tax on interest in dividends
Why this matters: This Republican-sonsored bill is just the latest example of New Hampshire Republicans only cutting taxes for those at the top. Less than one year ago, Governor Sununu signed his budget that gave a $100 million tax cut to the wealthiest 3% of corporations instead of funding workforce development or job training. Clearly, the Republicans are only looking out for their wealthy family, friends, and corporate donors.
Annulling prior marijuana arrests
Thursday, February 22nd / House of Representatives / Floor Vote
HOUSE- HB 1477, annulling arrests or convictions for possession of 3/4 of an ounce of marijuana or less
Why this matters: When the New Hampshire legislature decriminalized the possession of 3/4 of an ounce of marijuana or less last year, they declared that act acceptable in our state. It is now only right to apply this same standard to those who have been previously convicted of this crime.
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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Legislative Review
Last week, New Hampshire Senate Republicans voted along party lines to kill a Senate Democrats’ amendment to New Hampshire’s Constitution, requiring the governor to fully fund the alcohol fund at 5%. This fund has played a vital role in New Hampshire’s fight against the opioid epidemic. Last year, Governor Sununu ignored Democratic objections and only funded the alcohol fund at 3.7%.
Senate Republicans also rejected the RESCUE Act on a party line vote. This bill was introduced last fall with the support of every single New Hampshire Senate Democrat and sought to access 10% of the $100 million Rainy Day Fund to provide additional resources in the fight the opioid epidemic, using no new fees and taxes and taking nothing away from the general fund. New Hampshire has the 3rd-highest per-capita opioid overdose death rate in America. |
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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!
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
In his State of the State speech last Thursday, Governor Sununu consistently manipulated his record to try to create the appearance he’s doing anything other than looking out for his wealthy family, friends, donors, and corporations while in office. Read about his so-called “accomplishments” so far in office, and the reality behind them, on the Sununu Reality Check website and check out Senate Democrat Leader Jeff Woodburn’s response HERE.
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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
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In the News
Good faith in Olympics and politics
By: Senator David Watters
Senate must remove New Hampshire from the damaging Crosscheck program
By: Senator Bette Lasky
Concord Monitor: READ HERE
Not impressed by Gov. Chris Sununu
By: Robert Bogardus
Union Leader: READ HERE
Sununu forgets about North Country constituents
By: Sue Ford
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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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