On this week’s edition of State House Watch, hosts Arnie Alpert and Maggie Fogarty of the NH American Friends’ Service Committee review the past week’s developments at the NH State Legislature, as well as other topics of interest.
The Governor will give his State of the State address next week, even while his administration has failed to reach a negotiated contract with the state employees’ union. Bills relating to health and safety for workers in the public sector, as well as DOL protection of public sector workers.
Congratulations to another new manufactured housing coop – owned and operated by the community of tenants.
The impact of deportation on NH families, including American citizen children whose parents may be deported because they were not citizens.
Song: “You Are My Sunshine” by Mississippi John Hurt.
Our guest is Madeleine Mineau, Executive Director of Clean Energy NH. She introduces us to the work of Clean Energy NH, and explains her organization’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
In particular, she described the concept of net metering, and how it benefits NH energy consumers who also operate sustainable energy projects (like solar panels).
Song: “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles.
Ken Barnes joins the discussion, as Maggie and Arnie talk about the proposed budget which Trump sent to Congress today. 56% of the discretionary budget is devoted to the US military. The budget also proposes increases to Trump’s immigration enforcement programs: deportations, incarceration, and the MPP (Return to Mexico) policy which forces asylum seekers to wait across the border in Mexico before they may even file their asylum applications (much less receive a hearing and a final determination of their right to asylum).
Outro: “Goin’ Down the Road.”
