Category Archives: Granite State Progress

Granite State Progress Praises NH House Vote Against Abolishing Paper Paycheck Options in New Hampshire (SB 100)

  By Granite State Progress | May 29, 2013 - 6:01 pm | , , ,
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NH House-2

Jeb Bradley and the American Payroll Association would have subjected
New Hampshire workers to fees to collect paychecks

Concord, NH – Granite State Progress praises the bi-partisan decision of the New Hampshire House to vote SB 100, abolishing paper paycheck options, inexpedient to legislate. The House voted 235-93 today to reject SB 100, legislation which follows a dangerous pattern supported by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

“SB 100 sought to abolish paper paycheck options in New Hampshire and push employees without bank accounts over to payroll cards with few to no consumer protections,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “Jeb Bradley and a DC lobbyist from the American Payroll Association fought hard to push this bill, but the House wisely recognized that it would have hurt New Hampshire workers.”

Payroll cards act as a form of debit cards, often carrying a brand such as Visa or Mastercard, and are used as such – right down to the fees for withdrawals, payments and balance checks. An amendment to SB 100 provided by the American Payroll Association removed the requirement that employers collect a signed form demonstrating that employees have been given an updated list of all of the fees associated with the cards. In committee, the NH Department of Labor testified that fees associated with payroll cards may come at a cost to employees, and noted that not all cards are the same and that each card has its own rules. Examples of payroll withdrawal caps and fees can be pages long, and include things like a $5 fee for a balance print-out.

“SB 100 would have been purposefully harmful to employees, creating additional fees and expenses for them to collect and use their paycheck, and specifically avoiding sharing that information upfront,” Rice Hawkins said. “Granite State Progress is proud of the House members who stood strong to protect workers and small businesses in our state.”

Corporations like Visa have been eager to transition workers to payroll cards to collect more fees from the transactions, including transaction fees charged at local businesses who accept the cards for payment. At an ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force meeting in 2011, a lobbyist from Visa brought forward a resolution in support of payroll cards. Rep. Gary Daniels, a long-time ALEC member and current ALEC State Co-Chair, is a member of that ALEC task force. Daniels wrote the minority blurb in support of SB 100 and spoke in its favor on the House floor.

The American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, allows corporate special interests to sit next to legislators and draft legislation that specifically benefits their bottom line, often at the expense of everyday Granite Staters.

Help Fight Back! Medicaid Expansion Pulled from NH Budget

  By New Hampshire Labor News | May 24, 2013 - 7:16 pm | , , , ,
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35 inch (support medicaid expansion)

35 inch (support medicaid expansion)On Wednesday, State Senators Bragdon, Forrester, Morse, and Odell voted to pull Medicaid expansion from the state budget, sacrificing billions in federal dollars and hundreds of jobs. But the fight’s not over yet! Please read below about upcoming events where you can help fight back. Even if you can’t make it, please sign the petition.

It appears that these Senators are willing to leave 22,300 more hardworking Granite Staters uninsured for the sake of party politics. They claim that accepting the federal funds is a “gamble” even though they know D.C. has always kept its Medicaid promises, especially during recessions. They also know that New Hampshire can decide to opt-out of Medicaid expansion later, unlike the programs they keep falsely comparing it to. Denying or even delaying Medicaid expansion will hurt the health of Granite Staters.

Rally

protestersNH Citizens Alliance is gathering Medicaid expansion supporters for a rally outside Senate President Bragdon’s $100-per-person fundraiser. Senator Bragdon’s vote on this is especially troublesome because he wouldn’t make time to meet with constituents to discuss Medicaid expansion before his vote, despite multiple requests. There will be plenty of signs, but feel free to bring your own! Be sure to invite your Facebook friends.

Where: Sidewalk outside O Steak and Seafood, 11 South Main St., Concord

When: Wednesday, May 29, 4-5pm

RSVP: Email Jillian at jdubois@nhcitizensalliance.org, call 603-724-4047, or say you’ll come on Facebook.

Phone Banks

phonePlease sign up for a phone bank! You’ll be able to grab a slice of pizza and call fellow progressives in target State Senate districts and patch them through to their Senators to ask them to support Medicaid expansion. Stop in for an hour or stay for the evening.

Where: 3rd floor, 4 Park Street, Concord

When: Wednesday, May 29, 5:15-8:30pm (right after the rally) and Wednesday, June 5, 5-8:30pm

RSVP: Email Jillian at jdubois@nhcitizensalliance.org, call 603-724-4047, or RSVP on Facebook for May 29 or June 5.

Press Conference

microphonesPlease come to the press conference on Medicaid expansion hosted by NH Voices for Health. Hear stories from people who will be impacted by Medicaid expansion’s benefits for NH’s families, communities, and businesses, and show you care! Check out the Facebook event for more information.

Where: Legislative Office Building (LOB), 33 North State Street, Concord

When: Tuesday, June 4, 11am

Hope to see you next week! Don’t forget to sign the petition!

NH Senate Republicans Vote Against State Minimum Wage & Senator Jeb Bradley’s Refusal to Answer Whether He Supports a Minimum Wage

  By Granite State Progress | May 23, 2013 - 2:29 pm | , , , ,
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from http://standupfl.org/event/national-raise-the-wage-day/

NH Senate Republicans Vote Against State Minimum Wage & Senator Jeb Bradley’s Refusal to Answer Whether He Supports a Minimum Wage

Former Congressman and current State Senator Jeb Bradley refuses to answer question posed on floor of Senate

CONCORD, NH – Granite State Progress releases the following statement regarding New Hampshire Senate Republicans’ uniform vote against a state minimum wage law today, and lead opponent former Congressman and current State Senator Jeb Bradley’s refusal to answer whether he supports a minimum wage at all. Executive Director Zandra Rice Hawkins:

“Our organization believes that working people should be able to pay their bills and we support a minimum wage that reflects the real needs and economic climate in our state. HB 501 would have restored local control in New Hampshire. Several of those who spoke in opposition to this bill in committee don’t believe in a minimum wage, period. Senator Jeb Bradley was the lead opponent to New Hampshire having its own minimum wage, and he twice refused to answer whether he supports a minimum wage at all.

“The working families and small businesses of New Hampshire deserve leaders who understand the importance of a strong middle class. The Senate Republicans have signaled, once again, that they are out of touch with Granite State values.”

GSP Video: NH Sen. Jeb Bradley Refuses to Answer Whether He Supports a Minimum Wage


 

The NH Senate voted 13-11 along party lines to kill HB 501, which would have simply restored New Hampshire’s ability to set its own minimum wage. According to media reports, New Hampshire had its own minimum wage law from 1949 until 2011, when the Republican-led House and Senate repealed it.

NH Senate Flip-Flops On Voter ID Provisions. Advocate Spending $1 Million Dollars After Slashing HHS Budgets

  By Granite State Progress | May 22, 2013 - 10:15 am | , , ,
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get out and vote

Senate Republicans change position on expensive camera provision at the polls, whether student identification cards are an acceptable form of Voter ID 

Advocate to spend $1 million dollars on Voter ID law same week they drastically cut services for elderly and disabled, mental health community in New Hampshire  

CONCORD, NH – Senate Republican leaders are flip-flopping on key provisions of the Voter ID fix bill up for a Senate floor vote this week, advocating for measures they disapproved of last session and opposing provisions they supported.

The New Hampshire State Senate will vote on HB 595 as amended by the Senate Public and Municipal Affairs Committee on Thursday, May 23rd. The Senate amendment does not allow student identification cards or county and municipal identification cards to be used as acceptable forms of voter ID to obtain a ballot. In 2011 Senator Russell Prescott (R – Kingston) – who was the prime sponsor of the Voter ID law last session – testified in front of the House Election Law Committee that student identification cards should be included in the list of acceptable ID’s under the Voter ID law. He also testified that the Senate opposed wasting taxpayer dollars on the costly camera provision which requires colored photographs to be taken of individuals without acceptable forms of photo identification; this along with other phase II provisions of the Voter ID law are anticipated to cost the state nearly $1 million dollars over the next four years.

America Votes and Granite State Progress call on the Senate to not flip-flop on Voter ID provisions, and to instead prioritize Granite State families over costly Voter ID laws.

“It is unconscionable that the Senate would reverse their position and support one of the most restrictive ID laws in the country in order to target voters, specifically students, from exercising their right to vote,” said America Votes State Director Jessica Clark. “Even House Republicans agreed during recent committee meetings that we should not further restrict the forms of identification used during the last election, and not one person spoke in opposition.”

“Senate Republicans are fighting for an unnecessary law that will cost our state one million dollars in the short term alone, the same week they are drastically cutting essential health services for the elderly and disabled,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “Senate Republican leaders have misplaced priorities. They should be working to help Granite Staters instead of attacking voting rights in our state.”

GSP Video: State Senator Russell Prescott on Voter ID: Student ID’s Acceptable (http://youtu.be/CHzKHXg3gZY)

“On the topic of, do we in general, accept student identification? And that should be yes, we should.”

GSP Video: State Senator Russell Prescott on Voter ID: Student ID’s Acceptable (http://youtu.be/J2kpbchE2O4)

 “The Senate position believes that if a person fills out a challenged voter affidavit, they are taking a large responsibility upon telling the truth and there really is no need to accept the funds.”

Sen. Prescott testified before the NH House Election Law Committee, April 10, 2012. The Senate must pass legislation that alters the New Hampshire Voter ID law this session or only four types of ID will be accepted to obtain a ballot starting September 2013. Individuals without an acceptable form of Voter ID will be required to have a color photo taken by a poll worker.

 

**ICYMI: Nashua Telegraph today also reports:  “Young Democrats, Republicans align to ask for change to voter ID”

**NHLN post on college students opposing new voter ID changes include a letter from the NH Young Republicans and NH Young Democrats.

Granite State Moms Tell Senator Ayotte “No Mother Should Have to Bury Her Child”

  By Granite State Progress | May 10, 2013 - 8:02 pm | ,
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Mothers Day Cards

Mothers Day Cards Just Days Before Some Families Face First Mother’s Day Without Child Due to Gun Violence, Mothers and Concerned Family Members Deliver Cards to Senator Kelly Ayotte Calling on Her to Support Life-Saving Background Checks

 NASHUA, NH – New Hampshire mothers, children and others publicly delivered Mother’s Day cards to Senator Kelly Ayotte’s Nashua office today, calling on the Senator to support life-saving background checks. The event was created by local gun violence prevention advocates who wanted to do something in solidarity for families who would be spending their first Mother’s Day without a child or family member due to gun violence.

Last month Senator Ayotte voted against bipartisan legislation proposed by NRA A-rated Senators Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey that would have closed the loopholes that make it easy for criminals and dangerous people to get guns. Over 89 percent of Senator Ayotte’s constituents support background checks.

Reading a statement on behalf of New Hampshire mothers and allies, Nona Storer of Nashua said:

“Senator Ayotte, no mother should have to bury her child. This Mother’s Day, our hearts go out to all the mothers whose children were murdered with guns. The moms of Columbine. Virginia Tech. Tucson. Aurora. Newtown. And the mothers of the 33 people who are murdered with guns every day in this country. Now is the time for Congress to stand with moms across the country instead of with the NRA. Please support background checks for all gun sales.”

Storer and others then delivered more than 250 Mother’s Day cards signed by constituents from across the state, each bearing a similar message to the Senator. Several local community members also delivered their own, handmade cards urging Senator Ayotte to take action to reduce gun violence.

To mark Mother’s Day, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has also released a video message by Roxanna Green, whose nine year-old daughter Christina-Taylor Green was killed in the 2011 Tucson mass shooting.

Granite State Progress Wants Sen. Ayotte To Hold Town Hall Meeting Specifically On Gun Violence

  By Granite State Progress | April 30, 2013 - 9:01 pm |
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Gun

Sen. Ayotte refused to acknowledge the family member of Sandy Hook victim, or to answer constituents about her vote against gun violence prevention; Granite State Progress calling for Sen. Ayotte to host town hall specifically on gun violence prevention

TILTON, NH – Just one day after community members rallied at the State Capitol calling on U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte to answer directly why she sided with the NRA lobby over the 89 percent of her constituents who support background checks, Ayotte refused to explain her vote at a town hall and her campaign team even limited questions on the topic. Ayotte also chose not to acknowledge the daughter of a Sandy Hook victim who attended the event.

Granite State Progress Executive Director Zandra Rice Hawkins issued the following statement:

“We are ashamed of Senator Ayotte’s actions today just like we are ashamed of the vote she took against commonsense gun violence prevention measures. If the family of a victim of any other national tragedy had been present, Senator Ayotte would have acknowledged them. Senator Ayotte is afraid to talk about her vote against gun violence prevention, because it was also a vote against 89% of her constituents. It is clear from her under-publicized town halls and refusal to engage in real conversation that she thinks her constituents will just forget about her vote.”

“We are here to tell her that’s not true. New Hampshire is a pro-gun state, but it is also a pro-gun safety state. We call on Senator Ayotte to host a town hall solely focused on gun violence prevention and explain in full why she sided with the NRA lobby over constituents.”

During the Tilton town hall, staff of Granite State Progress called out for Ayotte to answer questions about her vote after she dodged the sole question she took on the topic. The Granite State Progress staff was sitting directly behind Erica Lafferty, the daughter of the Sandy Hook school principal killed protecting children in December, when the Senator refused to answer. After Ms. Lafferty left in disgust, Granite State Progress stood up with signs that read “Shame on You.”

Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Rally at State Capitol; “Shame on Sen. Ayotte” for Siding with NRA Lobby Over Granite State Constituents

  By Granite State Progress | April 29, 2013 - 5:34 pm | ,
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Erin+Liam Murray

Community members and advocates take Sen. Ayotte to task on recent votes, call on her to answer for her vote at three town halls scheduled for this week. 

Press conference wide view

CONCORD, NH – More than thirty community members participated in a press conference at the State Capitol today to highlight opposition to U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte’s recent votes against gun violence prevention, and to call on her to answer during her three upcoming town halls this week why she sided with the NRA lobby over constituents.

A New England College poll earlier this year confirmed that Granite Staters overwhelming support stronger gun violence prevention measures – with nearly 9 in 10 supporting criminal background checks for every gun sale – but Sen. Ayotte voted against the popular provision and constituents this month. Public Policy Polling released numbers last week that found Sen. Ayotte is facing serious backlash over her vote against commonsense background checks, a sentiment echoed by letters to the editor and editorial pages across the state – and soon to be seen at town halls this week.

Speakers at the press conference made the case for urgent and swift action to prevent more gun violence in our communities, and called on Senator Ayotte to answer why she is blocking efforts to do so. They vowed that gun violence prevention advocates would turn out for the Senator’s three town halls this week to demand answers (RSVP to the town hall in Tilton). Here are some of the statements from today’s event:

Judy Stadtman is a co-founder of NH Project for Safer Communities. She lives in Portsmouth with her husband and two children.

“It seems that Senator Ayotte needs a reminder that New Hampshire is not just a ‘pro-gun’ state – it is also a ‘pro-gun safety’ state. A full 89 percent of Granite State residents support expanded background checks as a moderate, commonsense measure to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. By voting against bi-partisan compromise legislation to require expanded background checks, Senator Ayotte chose to take sides with gun lobbyists who want to weaken federal and state guns laws so that virtually anyone can buy any kind of gun with no questions asked, and carry it in every public place in America. That’s not in line with the views of responsible, mainstream gun owners, who overwhelmingly support expanded background checks, and it’s not in line with mainstream New Hampshire values.” – Judy Stadtman, co-founder of NH Project for Safer Communities

Judy Stadtman and Rep Steve Shurloff

Judy Stadtman and Rep Steve Shurtleff

Rep. Steve Shurtleff (D-Penacook) is a Retired Deputy U.S. Marshall and current NH House Majority Leader.

“As a former teacher and a member of law enforcement my heart breaks every time I think about these terrible tragedies. We must act to protect our communities in New Hampshire and across the country.   And we must do it without delay.  Too much is at stake. That is why I was very disappointed with the vote in the US Senate last week – these were bipartisan compromise bills focused on the very basic commonsense steps we can take to reduce gun violence. I have been told that New Hampshire’s own Senator Ayotte is holding several public town hall meetings this week. I commend her for that. Anytime you vote contrary to the opinion of 90% of your constituents it is important to honestly and personally explain why you did so. I sincerely hope – and without any partisan feelings here at all – that she offers that kind of an explanation this week.  It is clear that the people of New Hampshire are looking for one, are expecting one, and deserve one.” – Rep. Steve Shurtleff, Retired Deputy U.S. Marshall

Bill Kingston is a retired airline pilot, combat veteran, gun owner, NRA member and one of the founders of New Castle Promise (modeled after Sandy Hook Promise). He lives in New Castle with his family.

“Let me tell you about your constituents here in New Hampshire, Sen. Ayotte. We are disgusted at the epidemic of violence that has swept this country. A full 89 percent of us support expanded background checks to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. We are horrified that the Constitution of the country we fought for – myself in Vietnam – has been so twisted and tortured by the likes of Wayne LaPierre and the gun manufacturers he represents, and that you and other Senators are willing to go along with it. Responsible gun owners understand that what our Constitution says is that all of our rights have limitations. The First Amendment doesn’t give you the right to yell fire in a crowded theater and the Second Amendment does not give criminals the right to buy guns. Nor was it written to promote this paranoid fantasy that somehow we need to arm ourselves against a possibly hostile government. As a U.S. combat veteran, this sounds to me a lot like sedition. Of course, Sen. Ayotte – not wanting to sound crazy – did not talk about armed uprising when she tried to explain her inexplicable vote to make us less safe in our homes and our beds and our streets and our communities. Sen. Ayotte offered some garbled explanation about how the rights of law abiding gun owners might be infringed upon – total baloney, we all know. When she saw her poll numbers slip as a result she then did an interview where she offered some barely comprehensible talking point about protecting licensed gun dealers. I am here to say enough with all of that Sen. Ayotte. You can protect licensed dealers, and our children and yes, even your own political career, by standing up for what’s right and fixing our gun laws. It’s time to do the right thing.” – Bill Kingston, New Castle Promise

Rabbi Robin Nafshi serves at the Temple Beth Jacob in Concord.

 

“In Judaism, safety is a religious concern. Torah states: “When you build a … house, you shall make a parapet (or fence) for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.”  In other words, you are required to properly gate a roof, in order to prevent people from falling off. The later rabbis site this verse to issue a general directive requiring a person to remove or correct any safety hazard,  or do whatever is possible to maximize community safety. More specifically, those rabbis ruled that Jewish law prohibits someone from selling offensive weapons to suspected criminals. We know that the overwhelming majority of Americans – and Granite Staters –  support these efforts as well. There is no sane reason to opposed background checks for all gun buyers, including those who purchase at gun shows and from private sellers, not just for those who buy from a federal firearms license holder, as the law currently states. After the shootings in Newtown this past year, a sixth grader in our religious said to me, “Rabbi, we expect kids in high school and middle school to be faced with gun violence. But elementary school? How horrible.” I turned to her and said, “What kind of a world have we adults given you where you expect to face gun violence at school? I’m so sorry. We have failed you. We have failed you.” And our elected representatives have failed us. Background checks have saved, do save, and will continue to save lives. They must be expanded.” – Rabbi Robin Nafshi

1 http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/ayotte-faces-backlash-over-gun-vote.html

2 http://www.nec.edu/news/nh-voters-want-gun-restrictions-new-england-college-poll-shows-overwhelming-support-for-tougher-laws

Gun Rally 4-29-13 GSP

NH Progressive Summit: “Restoring Balance and Common Sense”

  By Granite State Progress | April 25, 2013 - 11:37 am | , , ,
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NH Progressives Summit 2013

NH Progressives Summit 2013Granite State Progress and NH Citizens Alliance for Action will be co-hosting the 2013 NH Progressive Summit – an annual venue for new and existing activists to come together and collectively learn, train and mobilize for the many issues and electoral challenges we face. After outstanding support for last year’s summit, an even larger turn-out is anticipated this year. Last year’s theme was, “Fighting Back, Moving Forward.” This year’s theme is “Restoring Balance & Common Sense.”

This will be a full, exciting and inspiring program. Breakfast & lunch will be provided, as well as a social hour in the evening. The lunch panel debate will be on expanded gambling. We have made so much progress in the Granite State and we must continue to move forward together.

The Summit will be held at New England College in Henniker on May 4th. Tickets are $25 with pre-registration required. For more information, or to register please visit www.nhprogressivesummit.org.

Rep. Stella Tremblay An Embarrassment To New Hampshire And To All Of New England

  By Granite State Progress | April 23, 2013 - 10:09 pm | , ,
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NH Rep. Tremblay to Glenn Beck - Boston Marathon Inside Job

The past week has been very hard on many of us here in New Hampshire and throughout New England.  The Boston Marathon is a significant event for many Granite Staters.  Some run the marathon, some go to watch, others enjoy the day off from work.  For the hard-working Boston Police, Fire and EMS Departments, this week has been one that they will never forget.

Over the last week, thousands have showed their support for the hard work of all the Boston area first responders.  Even before the bombing, hundreds of Boston area first responders were working on Patriots Day as part of the annual Boston Marathon.  As the first bomb went off, police and firefighters (and many citizens) ran into the blast area to help the wounded.

Those first responders worked from 1:00 am on Friday morning – when the hunt for the two bombers erupted in a fierce firefight – through until late in the evening when the younger brother was eventually captured in Watertown.

The dedication of these public employees has been commended over the past week with many Facebook and Twitter images with the tag #BostonStrong.

This is what disturbs me: that after all the hard work and dedication from the public employees of all the local police departments, the FBI and Homeland Security, one New Hampshire State Rep sends out a Facebook post that the Boston bombing was a Government Black Op terrorist attack.

NH Rep. Tremblay to Glenn Beck - Boston Marathon Inside Job

 

Zandra Rice-Hawkins from Granite State Progress summed up the bucket full of crazy that is Rep. Tremblay:

“Rep. Tremblay continues to embarrass herself and her constituents with her extreme beliefs. Her behavior is unbecoming of an elected official in New Hampshire, and should be quickly condemned by her colleagues and party leadership. Rep. Tremblay has a long history of disturbing statements and we know from the past that her extreme ideologies guide her behavior in the State House.”

“Rep. Tremblay is not alone among conservatives in New Hampshire who are using these tragedies to create conspiracy theories or score political points. The blog Granite Grok recently posted a message about the Boston Marathon bombing and the West, Texas incident encouraging readers to use the phrase ‘Obomba’. Republican political leaders who continue to participate in GraniteGrok activities despite these reprehensible remarks should state publicly why they do so.”

With actions like this from our state reps, I am embarrassed to say that I am from New Hampshire.  It seems that every week the NH Republican Party is in the national news and not in a good way.

Then I think back to the proud Boston public employees who were given a standing ovation by the citizens of Watertown after a 16-hour lockdown after they caught Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. I also think of how quickly all of the Granite State came together to support our brothers and sisters to the south.  Then I am filled with a great sense of togetherness.  All I can say is, thank God Rep Stella Tremblay is not my rep.

 

 

Save The Date For The NH Progressive Summit

  By Granite State Progress | April 15, 2013 - 2:33 pm | ,
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NH Progressives Summit 2013

Please Save the Date for the 2013 NH Progressive Summit, Saturday, May 4th at New England College in Henniker, NH!

NH Progressives Summit 2013Once again, Granite State Progress and the NH Citizens Alliance for Action will co-host the NH Progressive Summit, along with sponsoring organizations such as New England College’s Department of Sociology and Social Work and the State Employees Association, SEIU Local 1984. This annual event provides space for new and existing activists to come together and hear from inspiring keynote speakers, as we collectively learn, train, and mobilize for the many issue and electoral challenges and opportunities we face together.

Last year’s NH Progressive Summit theme was “Fighting Back, Moving Forward.” This year, the theme is “Restoring Balance and Common Sense.” Whether it’s undoing the damage caused by last year’s Tea Party legislature, challenging corporate political corruption of our legislative and electoral process, or continuing to fight for key progressive values at the state and federal level – we need to restore balance and common sense in our country.

The 2013 NH Progressive Summit will be a jam-packed, action-oriented, day-long event, with workshops and fabulous speakers – you won’t want to miss it!

More information will be available shortly. In the meantime, you can click here to submit a workshop proposal or volunteer to help behind-the-scenes at the Summit. See you there!