State Reps. Peter Leishman and Jonah Wheeler fielded questions Tuesday night at Peterborough Town Library as part of the Peterborough Listening Series sponsored by League of Women Voters.

Wheeler and Leishman, both Democrats, represent Peterborough and Sharon in Hillsborough County District 33. They opened the evening by noting two pieces of legislation each of them has sponsored. Leishman co-sponsored HB 629 to fund repairs to some of the 250 dams in the state in need of attention. He has also proposed an anti-bullying bill, but noted that it has met with some reasonable challenges that he hadn’t anticipated surrounding certain student populations.

A member of the House Finance Committee, Leishman discussed budget shortfalls in the Granite State.

“The state is in a financial mess,” he said, explaining the loss of the interest and dividends tax and a drop in revenues from the State Liquor Commission have set the state up for a large budget deficit this year. 

Wheeler co-sponsored HB 1633 that would annul convictions of people for misdemeanors and offenses involving cannabis.

“This is to help people get on with their lives,” he said.

Wheeler has also put forth a bill to create a study of school start times in New Hampshire, which he said are too early for many young people to function effectively in school. 

Education and Educational Freedom Accounts – state-funded vouchers for families who choose alternative methods of education, like private school or homeschooling – were common topics of questions from those in attendance.

“With money from taxes, a local charter school seems to have a religious foundation. How does that work?” asked Jean Foster of Peterborough. 

“Why isn’t there oversight of these educational dollars?” asked Dan Coffey of Peterborough. Leishman replied that a majority in the Legislature doesn’t want it. 

Coffey also asked about other causes for the projected deficit mentioned by Leishman, who explained that a reduction in the state’s rooms and meals tax rate from 9% to 8.5% also cut revenues.

After hearing about House Bill 171, which would create a moratorium on new landfills, Kathy Manfre of Peterborough asked why, according to Wheeler, a significant amount of trash disposed of in the New Hampshire comes from out of state. According to a New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services 2022 Solid Waste Management Plan, between 45% and 47% of waste disposed of in New Hampshire comes from other states.

“The regulators aren’t regulating,” said Wheeler. “There’s no reason to take in as much out-of-state trash as we are.”

Asked how individuals could have an impact on business at the state house, Leishman said that coming to Concord to be present as legislation is discussed has an impact. Foster spoke of having done so Monday.

“Being in Concord for business on an abortion bill was a very moving, powerful experience,” said Foster. 

Leishman pointed out that proposed cuts in state spending can mean less federal funding, as well.

“For various programs, there is a one-to-one match of New Hampshire dollars and federal dollars,” he said. “The more we cut here, the less we get (from Washington).”

Carol Wyndham of Peterborough expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak with legislators.

“This is real democracy,” she said. 

Kate Coon of the League of Women Voters said that another forum in the Peterborough Listening Series will take place Feb. 25 at the library.