Politics

N.H. legislators continue to ignore three-year-old school-funding recommendations

The N.H. Senate is considering a bill to ban gender-affirming surgeries on minors. Hospitals statewide say they don't perform these procedures.

By JAMES RINKER

A bill that would ban gender-affirming surgery for minors in New Hampshire will have a public hearing before the state Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.But representatives from a dozen hospital systems statewide say they don’t perform this type...

Republicans have made illegal immigration a top issue in NH – sometimes with misinformation

On the trail: NH GOP leaders urge ‘decorum and respect’

By PAUL STEINHAUSER

Top Republican Party leaders in New Hampshire are calling for “decorum and respect” as candidates face off in the GOP gubernatorial primaries.The statement from NHGOP chair Chris Ager and New Hampshire’s two committee members on the Republican...

NH mayors want more help from state on homelessness prevention funds

By ETHAN DeWITT

When homeless residents request housing assistance from Keene, the city must help, even when shelters are full. As the number of New Hampshire’s homeless has grown, that has become increasingly expensive.During the fiscal year that ended in June 2023,...

Two democrats with parallel views run for same State Senate seat

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Angela Brennan of Bow and Rebecca McWilliams of Concord, both Democratic State Representatives, have entered the race for the New Hampshire State Senate in District 15, to fill the shoes of Sen. Becky Whitley, who is eyeing a congressional seat.The...

On the Trail: New congressional candidate spotlights border, inflation, overseas conflicts

By PAUL STEINHAUSER

Vikram Mansharamani charges that “Washington D.C. is completely dysfunctional,” but he’s hoping voters send him there to help fix the gridlock.Mansharamani, a businessman, entrepreneur, and author who made an unsuccessful run for the 2022 Republican...

Van Ostern ready to jump in as soon as Kuster steps down

By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI

Colin Van Ostern, a former state Executive Councilor with a long resume as a political operative, will run for Congress this fall, he announced Thursday, the day after U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster announced she would not seek a seventh term.Van...

On the trail: Kuster not seeking re-election this year

By PAUL STEINHAUSER

After six terms in Congress, Democrat Annie Kuster says she won’t seek re-election to the House of Representatives this year.“I always said I wouldn’t be there forever and most of my colleagues don’t realize this,” the Hopkinton lawmaker...

House takes up bevy of bills related to free speech in schools

By ETHAN DeWITT

Since the mask debates of COVID-19, New Hampshire schools have become fervent battlegrounds for ideological debates around race, sexuality, and gender identity. And last Thursday’s House session was no exception. Over a series of floor votes,...

House passes bill removing exceptions to state voter ID law

By ETHAN DeWITT

The House narrowly approved a bill Thursday that would eliminate any exceptions to the state’s voter ID laws and require documentary proof of citizenship to vote, 189-185. The bill, House Bill 1569, would require a person registering to vote to...

League of Women Voters suing over AI robocalls sent in NH

By HOLLY RAMER

CONCORD, N.H. — The League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to prevent those who sent robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden’ s voice to New Hampshire voters from using artificial intelligence for future deceptions.The lawsuit was...

As NH lawmakers eye statewide housing solutions, local control remains a barrier

By ETHAN DeWITT

The goal behind the bill is bold: Allow any property owner to build residential housing units in a commercial zone – whether the zone allows for it already or not.Proponents of the legislation, House Bill 1053, argue it is a way to fast-track the...

On the trail: Biden comes to kiss and make up with N.H. Democrats

By PAUL STEINHAUSER

Steve Shurtleff said he forgives President Joe Biden, but he won’t forget.“I forgive, but I haven’t forgotten how New Hampshire was treated,” the longtime Democratic state representative from Concord and former state House speaker told the Monitor...

President Biden cites his record of capping prescription drugs costs and vows to keep fighting for ‘fundamental fairness’

By ERIC RYNSTON-LOBEL

Sticking to the message that has sustained his presidency, Joe Biden made the case that working and middle-class Americans shouldn’t be forced to pay high costs for prescription drugs and healthcare while corporations and the wealthiest Americans use...

Biden’s budget proposal offers tax breaks for families and lower health care costs

By JOSH BOAK and FATIMA HUSSEIN

MANCHESTER, N.H. — President Joe Biden on Monday released a budget proposal aimed at getting voters’ attention: It would offer tax breaks for families, lower health care costs, smaller deficits and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations.Unlikely...

Lawmakers back several bills benefiting charities, casinos

By ANNMARIE TIMMINS

Lawmakers moved forward Thursday with bills that would mean significant changes for casino owners and the charities their gaming revenue supports. One would revise rules for gambling tournaments.Here’s the breakdown as the House and Senate near their...

NH Senate passes ‘anti-sanctuary’ bill

By RICK GREEN

In a partisan vote, the Republican-controlled N.H. Senate on Thursday passed, 14-10, a bill that would prohibit state and local governments from adopting policies that prohibit or impede enforcement of federal immigration law.Opponents of Senate Bill...

Following State of the Union address, Biden to visit Manchester on Monday

By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI

President Joe Biden will make his first appearance in the Granite State on Monday since before the presidential primary where his name did not appear on the ballot because of party politics.Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks on lowering costs for...