When we launched the New Hampshire People’s Platform on the first day of the 2019 legislative session, we pledged to work on issues that a majority of Granite Staters care about, including affordable health care, a stronger public education system, more rights for workers, and a healthy environment for future generations.
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Can you take action on an issue you care about this week?
Top 3 recommended actions–
We turn our eyes to Governor Sununu this week who is threatening to veto several bills we have been fighting for. Please make just one call to Sununu’s office this week to ask him to reconsider:
Call Governor Sununu at (603) 271-2121 and ask him to:
- Support paid family & medical leave by signing SB 1
- Repeal the death penalty by signing HB 455
- Raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour by signing SB 10
Also consider attending the hearing for the minimum wage bill to show you support it. The hearing is on Wednesday, April 24, at 2pm at the Legislative Office Building (Room 305-307)
Other bills we are following:
Immigrant Rights
Tuesday, April 23, Transportation, Room 103, LOB – 1:30 PM HB 397, relative to driver licenses for New Hampshire residents who do not possess a Social Security card. This will enable immigrants who can prove their identity and NH residency to get driver licenses regardless of their immigration status. Join immigrant justice advocates for visibility in the LOB lobby at 12:45 PM.
Raising the Minimum Wage
Wednesday, April 24, 2:00 PM (LOB 305-307) – SB 10, establishing the state minimum hourly rate based on whether an employer offers paid sick days to an employee. This bill would increase the minimum wage to $10 on January 1, 2020 and $12 on January 1, 2022. However, the minimum would be $11 if the employer offers at least 10 paid sick days for workers. It also increases the tipped minimum wage from $3.27 to $4.00.
Energy & Climate
Wednesday, April 24, 1:00 PM, Science, Technology, and Energy, Room 304, LOB -SB 165, relative to net energy metering by low-moderate income community solar projects. This modifies the method for calculating net energy metering credits for low-moderate income community solar group host projects.
Wednesday, April 24, 2:30 PM, Science, Technology, and Energy, Room 304, LOB – SB 159 Relative to net energy metering limits for customer generators. This increases the capacity for customer generators and modifies the tariffs applicable to customer generators.
Voting Rights
Tuesday, April 23, House Election Law Committee, Room 308, LOB, 1:00 PM Executive session on SB 7, establishing the secure modern accurate registration act (SMART ACT); SB 8, establishing an independent redistricting commission; and SB 206, excluding the cost of lobbying and political activity from the rates of public utilities.
Thursday, April 25, Election Law, Room 308, LOB, 11:00 AM Executive Sessions on SB 67, relative to the definitions of resident and residency. This bill would undo some of the provisions of last year’s HB 1264, including returning “for the indefinite future,” into the definition of resident and residency; and SB 106, relative to the definition of political advocacy organization. This lowers the threshold of spending on communications that refer to the defeat of a measure or candidate from $5000 to $2500. (??? Should this be included? -KC)
Wednesday, April 24, Election Law and Municipal Affairs, Room 102, LOB, 10:45 AM HB 611, allowing voters to vote by absentee ballot. This allows any voter to vote absentee without excuses.
Wednesday, April 24, Election Law and Municipal Affairs, Room 102, LOB, 11:30 AM HB 651, allowing the use of campaign funds for child care expenses.
Affordable Housing
Tuesday, April 23, 10:00 AM SB 15, Finance, Rooms 210 – 211, LOB, making an appropriation to the affordable housing fund. This bill makes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2021 for deposit in the affordable housing fund and directs an annual transfer of $5,000,000 to the fund from real estate transfer tax revenue. This is larger than the $5,000,000 proposed by the governor for the budget.
**The above info was compiled with major help from American Friends’ Service Committee’s weekly State House Watch email, published by Arnie Alpert and Maggie Fogarty. Thank you AFSC!