New Hampshire Has Issues

Do children in New Hampshire have a constitutional right to a public education? The State of New Hampshire is currently asking its Supreme Court to say...nope.  In this episode, Liz talks with Zack Sheehan, executive director of the NH School Funding Fairness Project, about thirty years of school funding lawsuits ( Claremont , ConVal , and Rand ), the state's appeal asking the court to throw...

If you throw a seltzer can into a blue recycling bin in New Hampshire...where does it go?  In this episode, Liz talks with Andrea Folsom, the executive director at NH Recycles, about all things recycling (and a little bit trash). Liz vaguely remembers needing to recycle things as a youngster that had a "1" or a "2" on them, but wonders if that was a dream.  * Batteries Included...

Every day this week, Liz interviews a candidate running in the Democratic Primary for the 1st Congressional District in New Hampshire.  Today's guest is Christian Urrutia !  CD1 Minisode rules and questions are below these very important links about voting in New Hampshire. The NH State Primary is on Tuesday, September 8!  NH Has Issues does not make endorsements. Neither does Liz Canada! But...

Every day this week, Liz interviews a candidate running in the Democratic Primary for the 1st Congressional District in New Hampshire.  Today's guest is Maura Sullivan ! CD1 Minisode rules and questions are below these very important links about voting in New Hampshire. The NH State Primary is on Tuesday, September 8!  NH Has Issues does not make endorsements. Neither does Liz Canada! But Liz...

Every day this week, Liz interviews a candidate running in the Democratic Primary for the 1st Congressional District in New Hampshire.  Today's guest is Stefany Shaheen ! CD1 Minisode rules and questions are below these very important links about voting in New Hampshire. The NH State Primary is on Tuesday, September 8!  NH Has Issues does not make endorsements. Neither does Liz Canada! But Li...

Every day this week, Liz interviews a candidate running in the Democratic Primary for the 1st Congressional District in New Hampshire.  Today's guest is Sarah Chadzynski !  CD1 Minisode rules and questions are below these very important links about voting in New Hampshire. The NH State Primary is on Tuesday, September 8!  NH Has Issues does not make endorsements. Neither does Liz Canada! But...

Every day this week, Liz interviews a candidate running in the Democratic Primary for the 1st Congressional District in New Hampshire.  Today's guest is Carleigh Beriont !  CD1 Minisode rules and questions are below these very important links about voting in New Hampshire. The NH State Primary is on Tuesday, September 8!  NH Has Issues does not make endorsements. Neither does Liz Canada! But...

Liz was asked a simple question ("what do you know about these CD-1 candidates?") and made a lot of work out of it. Coming up this week, five candidates running for CD-1 in the Democratic primary have their own individual minisode of New Hampshire Has Issues: Monday, 8/17: Carleigh Beriont Tuesday, 8/18: Sarah Chadzynski Wednesday, 8/19: Stefany Shaheen Thursday, 8/20: Maura Sullivan Fri...

There's a new, statewide question on this November's ballot and it sounds simple: do you want to cap your school district budget? Spoiler alert: it's not simple. At all. And you know Liz LOVES simple questions! In this episode, Liz talks with Alex Tilsley about how the New Hampshire Legislature mandated a local question on the statewide ballot (?) this November and AGAIN in November...

Yes, Liz asks Cinde Warmington about her professional history. And, no, not just about the Executive Council. By the way, if you're wondering " What the heck is the Executive Council? " - there is an episode of New Hampshire Has Issues with that exact title! Liz and Cinde cover a lot of ground, including many issues previously covered on this podcast! Can you spot them all? Become a...

Liz has a few quick updates from recent episodes, plus a peek behind the curtain at a new law that requires a question on every New Hampshire ballot this November.  Links: HB 232: With Today’s Veto, All Anti-Abortion Bills Defeated (PPNHAF) New Hampshire’s ‘bathroom bill’ vetoed again, one of 29 vetoes for the year   (NH Bulletin) Governor Signs HB 155 and HB 1300 as State Leaders Choose Downshift...

An anti-abortion bill walks into the governor's office...a governor who promised to veto anti-abortion bills. What will happen? Kayla Montgomery (VP of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England) is back with updates since the very first episode of this podcast, including some ideas of what New Hampshire leaders can do to supp...

With two anti-LGBTQ+ bills on Gov. Ayotte's desk right smack in the middle of Pride month, Liz is trying so hard to not make a pride and prejudice joke... Liz talks with Aimee Terravechia (Executive Director of 603 Equality) and welcomes back Heidi Carrington Heath (Executive Director of New Hampshire Outright) to talk about the onslaught of attacks this year -- and what we should know and do...

Previously, on New Hampshire Has Issues ...McKenzie told us about voting in New Hampshire.  Today, she has some important updates! And it turns out, New Hampshire changes its election laws with some frequency...I wonder why? Remember : you are eligible to vote in New Hampshire if (1) you are a US citizen, (2) you will be 18 years or older on or before Election Day, and (3) New Hampshire is your ho...

What happens when “school choice” collides with disability rights, school funding, and supporting students with disabilities? Whose choice is it, actually? Liz talks with ABLE New Hampshire Executive Director Dr. Louis Esposito about special (supportive!) education, EFAs, open enrollment...which is perfectly timed after last week's committee of conference change-up. And to find out what the h...

Liz hears from Jack, a local youth activist (spoiler alert: he's in elementary school!), about changes he wants to see in this world (and his cafeteria) and how you can help. He also has some advice for other kids who might see a problem they want to fix... Liz then talks with his mom, Katie, who recently testified at the New Hampshire State House for the first time. She also shares some #Boy...

What does a planning board actually do...and why does it matter for whether people can afford to live in a community? Liz talks with Kara and Ryann about how local decisions shape the housing crisis in New Hampshire, from zoning rules to who shows up (and who doesn’t) at public meetings. Topics include workforce housing, common misconceptions, and the real people being priced out of the communitie...

Strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we identify at least three of them to run for office.  If you've ever thought about running for office...or, perhaps more likely, if you've ever assumed you're not qualified, this episode is for you.  Okay, to be honest, if you know a woman, this episode is for you. P.S. Happy 1-year anniversary to this little podcast! Half a bienn...

A fan favorite, Phil Sletten (Research Director at New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute), is back! Liz and Phil talk about what even are property taxes? Who actually pays them? Why is New Hampshire so dang reliant on them? And is there ANYONE who can do ANYTHING about them? Spoiler alert: yep.  But first! A flashback to the Interest and Dividends Tax discussion from last summer's episode. Be...

Hop in a canoe and join Liz and Adrienne Lennon as they talk about what is and is not ... water, actually.  We always talk about New Hampshire's issues, but as a special treat, this episode features how one of New Hampshire's issues paved the way for federal law: the Clean Water Act. What is the Clean Water Act? What was supposed to happen with pollutants by the mid 1980s? Did we do it? ...

This episode might not be what you expect: yes, Liz talks with Christina and Pat from AARP New Hampshire about seniors, but the issues they face (housing! broadband! transportation! the terrifying and rapid evolution of technology!) apply to everyone. Come for the potential discounted trips to Europe, stay for the three critical tips on how not to fall for cryptocurrency scams.  Whether you'r...

What exactly happens at a New Hampshire town meeting? Hopkinton Town Moderator Sara Persechino breaks down how town meeting (day? night?) works, what a moderator does, and why local democracy matters. Liz regrets not making the joke, "it's like 10,000 brooms when all you need is a street sweeper." The show notes will have to do.  New episodes on Tuesdays. Become a supporter of the s...

Holy smokes, everything feels pretty dang stressful right now. How do we take care of ourselves? This is *not* a commercial for CrossFit, but it IS a conversation with the Head Coach of Dauntless Academy , Meg Trombley, about how she supports members of the gym (like Liz !) in showing up for themselves and one another. Liz and Meg talk about being athletes and not athletes in their younger years,...

Maybe we shouldn't bring back polio? Question mark?  Liz talks with Rep. David Nagel (a physician! a Republican!) about vaccines, public health, and why he is no longer on a New Hampshire House standing committee. Spoiler alert: not his choice. This episode was recorded on December 22, 2025. Pairs well with the Medicaid: It's Health Insurance! episode with Kristine Stoddard .  Become a m...

This is all Liz can think about right now. Maybe you feel the same. Liz talks with Al, a former Granite Stater who now lives in Minneapolis.  Looking for places to donate? Here are some recommendations from Granite Staters and Mainers: Maine Needs Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Maine NH UCC Immigrant and Refugee Support New Hampshire Legal Assistance Black Lives Matter NH Mutual Aid Fund Links :...