NH deserves better
Several weeks ago, I attended a webinar hosted by former NH State Senator Jeanne Dietsch that introduced an amazing new voter education tool, NHDeservesBetter (NHDeservesBetter.com). This free tool includes a wealth of information on NH candidates, the legislative process, bill tracking and much more.
The statistic that interests me most on NHDeservesBetter is the percentage of each individual NH legislator’s votes in the 2026 legislative session that aligned with public testimony, defined as public comment submitted remotely in electronic form and testimony presented at public hearings.
Majority Leader Jason Osborne’s votes aligned with public testimony 19% of the time; Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Sweeney, 18% of the time; Chair of the Education Policy Committee Kristin Noble – 19% of the time; Education Funding Committee Chair Rick Ladd – 17% of the time; Election Law Chair Ross Berry – 18% of the time; Health and Human Services Committee Chair Wayne MacDonald – 21% of the time. These people clearly do not represent the priorities, concerns or values of NH citizens. They have been successful at suppressing the will of the people because no NH statute, resolution, rule, or ethical guideline explicitly requires lawmakers to consider public input in their deliberations or to explain their reasons for accepting or rejecting public comment.
In these last few frantic weeks before the election, candidates for the NH legislature on both sides of the aisle may promise potential constituents that, if they are elected, citizens’ voices will be heard in Concord. Wise voters should ask their candidates how, exactly, they will make that happen.