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Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Hampshire establishes Parental Bill of Rights, universal school vouchers
CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire's governor Kelly Ayotte signed two bills Tuesday to give parents more control over their children's education. House Bill 10, which cites the 'fundamental liberty' parents have to take care of their children, creates a 'Parental Bill of Rights'. It allows parents to opt their children out of health or sex education, and to exempt them from vaccinations for religious reasons. NH House passes bill to ban cell phones in schools The bill also allows parents to view their children's records and any educational material being taught to them, along with affirming the right of parents to choose to enroll their children in private, religious, or home schooling. Senate Bill 295 revises the requirements for school vouchers in the state. The state's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program offers grants to families who are home-schooling or enrolling their children in private school. Previously, these grants were only available to families with an income of less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $112,525 a year for a family of 4 as of this year. SB 295 removes this limit so that families of all events are able to apply for the grant. Hassan, Noem lock horns over habeas corpus Each bill passed in a near-party line vote. Democrats in New Hampshire's legislature were unanimous in their opposition to SB 295, with the House Democratic Office calling the bill a handout for millionaires that will cost the state over $50 million dollars. But New Hampshire education commissioner Frank Edelblut said the EFA program 'has already transformed lives by giving families access to the educational pathways that best fit their children's needs'. HB 10 also prompted criticism from House Democrats, who warned that the bill could make it harder to protect vulnerable children, while Ayotte said she was proud to sign the bill, saying it ensured 'parents are the central voice in their children's education.' New Hampshire bakery wins free speech case over a painting of doughnuts, pastries The parental bill of rights will take effect July 1, and the changes to the EFA program will be effective August 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump approval rating holds steady in NH, support over handling of economy drops. See data
New Hampshire residents' approval of President Donald Trump's handling of the economy has fallen since February, with majorities disapproving of his use of tariffs and believing there will be a recession in the next year, according to a new poll from the University of New Hampshire survey center. However, despite the decline in support over economic issues, New Hampshire residents' overall approval of Trump has remained steady since February, with 52% disapproving and 48% approving. His net approval rating of -4 is still higher than any point during his first term. When it comes to the economy, Trump has repeatedly threatened, imposed and then reversed tariffs on countries like Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, making the stock markets volatile. Starting April 2, Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks and some auto parts. The poll found that 53% of Granite Staters disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy and 46% approve. The net approval rating of -8 has declined six points since February, and it's also lower than his approval during most of his first term in office. The decline is partially due to the drop in support from Independents, which went from 51% approval in February to 43% in March. Per the poll, 53% of Granite Staters, including nearly all Democrats and half of independents, disapprove of Trump's use of tariffs. Similarly, 58% think a recession is likely in the next 12 months, including large majorities of Democrats and Independents and over a third of Republicans. That's up from the 46% who thought a recession was coming in August of 2024, before Trump's election. The poll is based on survey responses from 1,434 New Hampshire residents completed between March 20-24. The margin of error is +/- 2.6%. New Hampshire is the most positive state in New England about Trump's job performance, including his handling of foreign affairs. Trump has pledged to end the war between Russia and Ukraine but has clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, most notably telling him to leave after a meeting in the Oval Office. In New Hampshire, 54% and 51% of residents disapprove of his handling of foreign affairs and the Ukraine conflict respectively – the lowest disapproval ratings out of all New England states. New Hampshire residents are also less likely than Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island to believe that Russia is responsible for the war in Ukraine. Still, most Granite Staters (83%) see Russia as an enemy. In February, Trump signed an executive order banning transgender female athletes from competing on women's sports teams. Last year, New Hampshire also passed a bill banning transgender middle and high school girls in the state from competing on teams aligning with their gender identity. More: NH House passes bill banning hormone treatments and puberty blockers for trans minors According to the poll, 71% of those surveyed believe that transgender females should not be allowed to compete in women's sports. While 46% of Democrats feel transgender female athletes should be allowed to participate in women's sports, only 12% of Independents and 1% of Republicans agree. A plurality of Granite Staters, 48%, believe that this policy decision should be made at the federal level. However, it's split by party: 56% of Democrats would like it to be left up to the states to decide, 78% think it should be a federal decision, and Independents are evenly divided. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Trump approval rating NH: Overall approval holds steady, economy drops
Boston Globe
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Anti-sanctuary bill passes N.H. House nearly unanimously and without discussion
There was no discussion of the measure on the House floor Thursday, but ahead of the votes Democrats worked with Republicans to narrow the bill's scope. The amended legislation applies to people already in custody for an alleged criminal violation. The original bill language said 'a law enforcement agency shall use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law.' Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up HB 511 requires law enforcement agencies to comply with immigration detainers of inmates and it bans sanctuary policies that 'prohibit or impede' the enforcement of federal immigration law. Local law enforcement would not be allowed to enact a blanket policy against compliance with immigration detainers, and they could not restrict use of inmate immigration information. Advertisement But the bill also includes a provision barring New Hampshire law enforcement from investigating an inmate's citizenship status. 'It essentially codifies the practices that existed in New Hampshire municipalities, but ensures they're being followed,' said Representative Alissandra Murray, a Manchester Democrat, who worked on the amendment. Representative Jonah O. Wheeler, a Peterborough Democrat, called it 'a really hard vote,' and said Democrats will still support the state's immigrant communities. 'I think you can support immigrants without having to say that we're going to not follow the direction of the federal government, which could put the state in a seriously risky position,' he said. He said the amendment makes sure local law enforcement won't be responsible for enforcing federal immigration law, while at the same time ensuring local cooperation with federal immigration law. The amendment was pitched to Democrats as a 'harm reduction measure,' since Republicans, which have a 44-seat majority in the House, had the votes to pass the original, broader bill, according to Wheeler. That's how Representative David Meuse, a Portsmouth Democrat, also described it in a post on Advertisement On Friday, the committee I serve on, the NH House Criminal Justice & Public Safety committee voted unanimously to... Posted by 'The amendment to the bill makes changes to the language that make it less harmful and narrow the scope of the bill to already incarcerated people,' Meuse wrote. 'Without the amendment, NH police would have been required to hand over to ICE any undocumented immigrant they encounter with an immigration detainer out on them—even those who have not committed a crime." Meuse did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the House vote. While there's no legal definition of a sanctuary city, it's become a political shorthand for places that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities and detain someone based solely on immigration status. In New Hampshire, there's no state-wide sanctuary policy, although after President Trump began his first term in 2017, several local communities began enacting policies regulating how local police cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The Cheshire County Sheriff Eli Rivera, who in 2017 Lebanon, N.H., enacted a ' Advertisement It also stops local agents from helping or participating in immigration enforcement actions, and it stops local authorities from permitting federal immigration authorities access to someone who has been detained locally. Karen Liot Hill, a Lebanon Democrat now serving on New Hampshire's powerful Executive Council, chaired the task force that created the ordinance after residents voted on a ballot measure asking elected city officials to do so. She said the aim was that local police officers should not do the work of federal immigration agents. 'We did not want our local resources to be co-opted by the federal government,' she said. 'Federal resources should be used to implement federal law.' Hill said she anticipates the city will review the ordinance in light of state legislation, but she doesn't anticipate major changes will be necessary. 'There might be some minor tweaks that are needed but we'll get to the bottom of those and address those as needed,' she said. In the five years since the welcoming ordinance took effect there have been around 5,000 arrests, and only three involved people with 'questionable immigration status issues,' according to City Manager Shaun Mulholland. Amanda Gokee can be reached at
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Death with dignity, police station delays and anger over pardons: Letters
Death with dignity, police station delays and anger over pardons: Letters Relieve the suffering of the dying in New Hampshire Jan. 25 − To the Editor: I am a retired clergywoman, with many years of experience working with the terminally ill. I am also the widowed spouse of a dear man who, despite having excellent hospice care at the end of his life, had much unrelieved suffering and a traumatic death. HB 254, the NH End of Life Freedom Act, gives qualified terminally ill, mentally competent adults who are able to self-ingest medication the compassionate, ethical health care option of obtaining a medication to experience a peaceful, painless death at a time of their choosing with their loved ones by their side. It breaks my heart that my husband did not have access to this option, one he wanted when his time was short and his suffering was great. With over three decades of the safe practice of Medical Aid in Dying in other states in our country as precedent, we know such laws to have been administered responsibly, because of the many guardrails in place. One must go through a rigorous qualifying process, full of checkpoints. No one can make this decision for anyone else, and one must be able to self-administer the medication, which is mixed into liquid and ingested. This compassionate option is a blessing, a comfort, and a personal decision, allowing the time of death to be a peaceful passage, should a qualifying person choose to exercise it. I find it entirely compatible with my religious belief. My religious freedom is impeded by those who would oppose this legislation. I urge our NH House members to support HB254. The Reverend Mary James Durham More: 'We treat our pets with more respect': Dying NH doctor's wish for death with dignity They put their lives on the line and Trump pardoned their attackers Jan. 23 − To the Editor: I am writing to express my deep concern for all those who were directly affected by the attacks on Jan 6, 2021. I believe that the pardons of the perpetrators re-violates and re-traumatizes all of the victims and all of us who care about them. As a psychologist I know that life can hand out betrayal and heartbreak. Usually, with enough time and support most people are resilient enough to heal from these painful hurts. However, when the source of betrayal and heartbreak is our own country, I worry that the hurt will seem unbearable to those who put their lives on the line for their country. I want them to know that their lives matter, their loyalty and bravery matter and that people of conscience care about, support and honor them. Donna Melillo Portsmouth Trump freed insurrectionists. Are you still proud of voting for him? Jan. 23 − To the Editor: Shame. That's what anyone who voted for our current president should feel today − shame. This bully, this so-called man, who has slithered back into the oval office has unleashed more than 1500 criminals so they can proudly tour the very Capitol building which they attacked and boast that they can now buy ****ing guns and seek retribution for their prison time. This bully has even suggested he will invite these lowlifes whom he refers to as victims and patriots to the White House to thank them for their actions. This is the bully who claims that other countries have emptied their jails and their mental institutions of criminals so that they can be free to invade the United States when it is the bully himself who is emptying our jails of traitors and criminals. And when Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, dressed down this bully from the pulpit of the National Cathedral at a prayer service for the new president in front of God and the nation asking him to have mercy on the vulnerable population that he is now targeting, he lashed out at her, demanded an apology, and called her a radical left hard line Trump hater which resulted in numerous wishes for her death. It is hard to believe that the small majority of Americans (no not by any means a mandate) that turned their backs on January 6th and voted for this bully are citizens of a country that I grew up loving and being thankful for. I have heard some of his supporters say they realize the bully is not a man of great character, but they like his policies. Well look at his policies now. Are you proud of having voted him back into office? You must realize that you have made a horrible mistake and that the bully now in power could care less about you and your misguided support. And yes, you should be ashamed. Carl Vancelette Barrington Portsmouth can't afford more police station delays Jan. 26 −To the Editor: Costs for Portsmouth's Community Policing Facility increased by at least $2.5 million, without any changes to the plan. Why? The $43M estimate was based on breaking ground in 2024. It is now 2025 and with the new Blue Ribbon Municipal Building Committee, ground breaking won't occur until 2026. Two years of inflation increases this estimate to $45.5 million+. We'll also have two more years of abatement, sick time, worker's compensation and FMLA claims, low morale, hiring and retention challenges and other issues. The Blue Ribbon Committee will consider better space utilization, a significant challenge. Based on the Space Needs Assessment, the latest version of the Community Policing Facility proposes a 31000 SF addition. Let's assume the municipal building footprint remains the same to eliminate any Connors Cottage view impact. One option has the entire first floor becoming the police station. Another takes all floors of the newer section that faces the mill pond. Even with hybrid proposals, multiple city departments would still move off campus. But the City Council wants a common campus. So it appears the Committee is doomed to fail. The LA wildfire disaster spotlights how slowing investment in public safety needs has major consequences. Bad policies, cutting budgets and special interest pandering all contributed to significant property damage and loss of life. Rebuilding from these recent disasters also increases construction costs across the country, which impacts our Policing Facility. We can't afford any more delays. Stop kicking the can down the road. Pick it up and recycle! Jim Fernald Portsmouth Shame on congressional delegation voting for Laiken Riley Act Jan. 23 − To the Editor: Shame on our Federal Representatives Senators Hassan and Shaheen, Representatives Pappas and Goodlander, for voting for the Laiken Riley Act. In this bill, proposed as some sort of "fix" to curb crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, is the erosion of due process for suspected criminals. The bill provides that anyone may suspect someone of a crime, round them up, and send them off for deportation. All of this without seeing the inside of a courtroom or any provisions of due process our country provides. Are we to allow vigilantes to administer this street justice or accusations to people they think are undocumented? Are we to allow the xenophobes of the Trump Administration to smudge our Constitutional rights? I urge our representatives to get out of their bubbles more and talk with folks in the immigrant communities. You'll find hard working, dedicated people who came here for a better life and means to support their families. You'll find children wanting a free and fair education in our schools. To be sure, there are criminals in our country but not disproportionately in the immigrant communities. I want to be inspired by leaders in these times, not angry for their capitulation of eroding our freedoms. Scott Nichols New London Send your letters to opinion@ Please keep letters to 250 words or less. Submissions must include the writer's first and last names, city or town and a daytime telephone number (which is for verification purposes only and will not be published). Send letters or commentaries to opinion@ Letters from Seacoast-area writers addressing local topics will be given priority for publication.
