This week’s episode features interviews with Senator Dan Feltes and Joan Ascheim of the NH Public Health Association, both talking about public policy in this time of pandemic.
Senator Feltes, who represents Concord, Hopkinton, Henniker, and Warner and serves as Senator Majority Leader outlined policy choices he supports, for example increasing access to testing and protecting the rights of workers. He also explained the conflict between the governor and other elected officials over authority to spend federal COVID-19 relief and recovery funds. Senator Feltes told Maggie he believes legislators will get back to work on their 2020 agenda in June.
Joan Ascheim, Executive Director of the NH Public Health Association, spoke with Arnie about the work of the Equity Task Force convened by the Association last month. In recent weeks, the Association has sent letters to the governor urging attention to vulnerable workers and those who reside and work in correctional facilities. She also spoke about changes need to address food insecurity intensified by the pandemic and its economic consequences.
Maggie and Arnie reviewed recent developments, including the Stay-at-Home 2.0 process, which includes re-opening of several sectors. They gave a shout-out to Nancy West and InDepthNH, which has been covering the state’s response to the pandemic and trying to make them more transparent. Check out InDepthNH, too, for call-in information about the various task forces now meeting to allocate federal funds and adjust the voting system.
On the music side, we played two songs Joyce Andersen performed at her 3rd annual Mother’s Day Concert last Saturday over YouTube. From a thoroughly great set of traditional and original songs, we selected Joyce’s anti-war anthem, “Filled with Love,” and the traditional hymn, “Bright Morning Star Arising,” both performed with accompaniment from Harvey Reid. Go to joyscream.com for information on Joyce’s concerts, recordings, and postcards.
And since Maggie spent the weekend painting her living room, we also played a live version of Lou and Peter Berryman singing and asking, “Why Am I Painting the Living Room?”
