The Democrats are the party of the New Deal, Civil Rights Act, and the Affordable Care Act. While not perfect, these are milestone policies that are committed to racial and economic justice. Given that marriage of ideals, I should be the perfect contender for a proud Democrat– but I’m not.
Fueled by New Hampshire’s low unemployment rate, the Unemployment Trust Fund has grown to a robust balance of just under $400 million. My bill would have added six new steps and topped out at $52,000. New Hampshire Department of Employment Security projections found that with this modest increase in benefits, the trust fund would remain solvent even in the event of a recession similar to 2007.
In a flip-flop that was as unsurprising as it was disingenuous, Mayor Jay Ruais ditched his opposition to building a new Beech Street School, enabling the $80-plus million project to move forward.
Life sciences industries are driving high growth in economic output, jobs and business creation in New Hampshire. However, New Hampshire could lose momentum on the growth of these ground-breaking companies without additional investment in research and development.
Congress’s passage of the Laken Riley Act – supported by New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation – has only heightened anti-immigration rhetoric in the New Hampshire State House and emboldened those in the New Hampshire legislature to advocate for harmful anti-immigration bills that, if enacted, would directly harm local immigrant communities.
I had passing knowledge that Ross Ulbricht was a cause celeb of the Libertarian Party and it’s more radical Free Stater offshoot. But my curiosity was piqued by his pardon by President Trump bringing local politician, Brittany Ping, to tears on live television. It was then I decided I needed to know more about this man and what would seem to be such an egregious conviction.
The charter revision was never adopted, but the city’s Board of Mayor and Alderman did subsequently approve a long-overdue salary bump for the person who captured the mayoralty in 2023, a bit of nuance the Ayotte campaign fails to note in its TV spot, thereby intentionally creating the false impression that Craig was feathering her own nest despite never receiving a raise as mayor.
Most Americans describe themselves as socially tolerant and fiscally responsible. “Live and let live” has always been our gold standard, and keeping our neighbors and government out of our lives as much as possible has always been the goal.
Today, no political party stands for the fundamental liberal values that we claim to support.
For decades, I have been involved with many other advocates in efforts to end homelessness in NH and worked for many years in agencies involved with housing and low-income people. I grew up in and have worked in Manchester. I have also worked all over the state including Nashua, where I live now. Since homelessness is caused by multiple economic, social, and health-related factors, it is not easy to find effective solutions.
The following is a letter to the editor and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester Ink Link or its sponsors.