New Hampshire Has Issues

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 :...

What 1,000 facts do we need to know to figure out why health care costs so much?  Liz asks Sabrina (Brinie) Dunlap who should be blamed for the cost of health care. The answer is complicated.  This episode was recorded on November 4, 2025. Pairs well with the Medicaid: It's Health Insurance! episode with Kristine Stoddard .  Glossary of Health Coverage and Medical Terms (HealthCare.gov) Risk...

Fun fact: saving money *and* the environment is (or...can be) bipartisan!   Liz talks with Andrew Schuyler from Granite Outdoor Alliance about the outdoor economy (we see you, walkers), what New Hampshire companies are doing to make a difference (teamwork), and how even YOU (and Liz) can go sustainable. Live event alert! Friday, February 20 at 8:00 p.m. at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth  - NH Has Issue...

Happy New Year! And...considering all of the changes coming - and here - in the health care and Medicaid space in New Hampshire, this feels like a good time for a refresher from the August 2025 episode about Medicaid.  In this episode, Liz and Kristine Stoddard (health care super nerd/wonk) cover what Medicaid really is (health insurance!) and what the impacts will be on *all* of Granite Staters.....

New Hampshire has issues, but what about Congress?   Liz and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander talk about it all: the US Constitution, war powers, John McCain, post offices, what to do at the holidays if your family's views are vastly different than your own... Pairs well with Niko Papakonstantis’ episode about Select Boards and Property Taxes New episodes coming in 2026! Become a monthly suppo...

Spoiler alert: Liz and Pat talk about Wicked. And housing. And curb cuts! Oh my. Pat shares with Liz the significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing affordable and accessible housing in New Hampshire.  New episodes on Tuesdays. Become a monthly supporter of the show Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Em...

Should we feed people? What about kids? Why are these questions that Liz has to write? In an episode that should be the least controversial, Liz talks with Kate Constantine from Gather about food pantries, SNAP benefits, food waste, and school meals. New episodes on Tuesdays. Become a supporter of the show --> this helps Liz continue to make episodes! Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email...

It's Veterans Day - how does Congress work to support veterans?  Liz talks with Congressman Chris Pappas, who serves on the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, about what is happening in D.C. (and New Hampshire, of course).  Celebrate 6 months of the podcast by becoming a supporter of the show --> this helps Liz continue to make episodes! Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email...

It's Veterans Day - how is New Hampshire doing when it comes to supporting our veterans? Liz talks with President and CEO of Harbor Care, Henry Och, about initiatives to support veterans in New Hampshire, particularly when it comes to homelessness, health care, and employment.  If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or need support, call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 help. T...

Liz goes solo in this first-ever "mini-sode." Perhaps also the last...? In less than 10 minutes, Liz covers the basics about what's happening with SNAP benefits given the government shutdown...and how some New Hampshire lawmakers are choosing to punch down instead of leading with empathy. If you'd like to be a monthly supporter of the show, become a Patreon subscriber ! Links -...

What the heck is a "warrant article" and what does it have to do with property taxes? Should you go to a deliberative session? (yes!) Okay, fine, but what is it?  Liz talks with Niko Papakonstantis, the Chair of the Exeter Select Board, about what issues towns face when New Hampshire and the federal government cut services and funding. Niko asks Liz what folks have against street sweeper...

Someone needed to ask: who would want to be governor of New Hampshire? Jon Kiper does! He ran in the 2024 Democratic primary and he's running again. He talks with Liz about why he's running and what exactly the governor does in New Hampshire. New Hampshire Has Issues (including Liz!) does not endorse candidates. New Hampshire Has Issues (including Liz!) does, however, love to have a good...