News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
Most of us have heard of the Bermuda Triangle. As someone with an above-average memory, I usually recall when and where I first heard something, and who said it. It was in the mid 70s, and I was riding shotgun with my mother somewhere in the city, but not necessarily on Amherst St. She said … Read more
New Hampshire led the American colonies 250 years ago by adopting a constitution that created an independent government before anyone else. So it’s fitting that in 2026, New Hampshire could achieve another first for independence. Like all Americans, government employees have the constitutional right to free speech and free association. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme … Read more
One Big Beautiful Bill gives scholarship donors $1700 federal tax credit – but Dem majority doesn’t want it Vermonters will not be allowed to take a federal tax credit for contributing to a private/independent school scholarship program, if a House Ways & Means Committee miscellaneous tax bill introduced yesterday becomes law. H.933, titled “miscellaneous administrative … Read more
Last fall, Manchester Community College Turning Point USA president Samuel Raiti set up a table outside the schools Main Entrance. I’ve been on that sidewalk myself, and there is tons of room. As you can see from the pictures above, he was in no way obstructing or interfering with pedestrian traffic or access in or … Read more
This week, on Right Side Up, Alison and ike discuss housing reform, land use planning law, H.606 ( A new gun bill), and Edwatch Vermont, ” a nonprofit organization advocating for education independence, accountable spending, and student-centered education policy.” Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load.* *Some browsers’ security settings … Read more
I won’t pay the Union Leader, our state’s largest circulation newspaper, for the privilege of access to the declining value of what they call news, but I get their emails, and this headline caught my eye. “Manchester schools ask business leaders to push for adequate funding.” Even if you’re not a victim of the ed … Read more
This is amusing. Gordon Darby Holdings has asked a federal judge to hold some New Hampshire state employees in contempt for ignoring that judge’s order requiring citizens to pay for their services. Gordon Darby makes money from emissions testing as part of state inspections that are no longer required. And while judges can’t levy taxes, … Read more
I need to take a break from the mindless politics happening in Washington, D.C., and the Great State of Maine. I thank both of these locales and the Democratic Socialists who call them their workplace for supplying the conservative writers across the country with an endless supply of stories. I cannot wait to see what … Read more
This was a very busy week, since my division of Finance met Monday and Friday, the House met Wednesday and Thursday, and Tuesday was town election day. My division met on nine bills on Monday, all having passed the policy committee and the House, so we primarily needed to look at the financial impacts. HB … Read more
In this episode of The Ever-Living Podcast, Xindi and Jessica sit down with Bill Currier of New Hampshire Right to Life to discuss HB 1416 and the ongoing policy debates surrounding life issues at the state level. Bill breaks down what the legislation means, how advocacy groups work within the political process, and why local … Read more
A third-party vendor that makes bank on mandated New Hampshire vehicle inspections convinced a NH judge to demand that the inspections be resumed. The legislature ended them last year (effective Jan 31, 2026). The governor signed that law. The Executive Council (EC) did not renew its contract. But some judge decided that a customer had … Read more
If you’re late for dinner, allow me to be the messenger of good news. HB451 was vetoed yesterday afternoon. Social media was quickly abuzz with people commenting on the news, and I took a moment to text some people who either don’t use the same platforms and groups or any social media at all. One … Read more
“Whatever the State identifies as comprising constitutional adequacy it must pay for.” — N.H. Supreme Court, Londonderry School District SAU #12 v. State of New Hampshire, 2006 Since the state lost its first Claremont education funding case in 1993, legislators and governors (including Democratic Gov. John Lynch in 2011-2012) tried to undo the decision with … Read more
People walk within the security fence at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham in February 2026.
There’s been a lot of discussion about the Home Education Freedom Act, House Bill 1268, which recently passed the NH House. It recognizes a parent’s natural right to establish a home education program for their child, “regardless of ability, disability, developmental status, or educational need.” Parents will no longer be required to seek state permission … Read more
Remember back in 2024 when the Democrats and Progressives in the Vermont legislature passed H.72 (Act 178), establishing a much hyped “overdose prevention center” in Burlington? (No Republican voted for it, and the Governor vetoed it only to see that veto overridden by the supermajority.) The law basically gave the Queen City around $2 million … Read more
We have a 16:8 red senate, but after yesterday’s session, the casual or first-time observer might never guess that! Not only was Victoria Sullivan’s SNAP reform bill transformed into a study committee like murder that doesn’t involve violence, but the whole body approved a Dem bill to make more students eligible for the school lunch … Read more
Vermont ranks low when it comes to political ethics accountability. According to the Coalition for Integrity’s S.W.A.M.P. (States With Anti-Corruption Measures for Public Officials), Vermont ranks in the bottom ten nationally. The Center for Public Integrity gives us a D-. The general reasoning behind the bad grades is we have few rules governing our politicians’ … Read more
Charlie would never have favored a bill that uses force to promote ideological change. He recognized different viewpoints, and used persuasion, or withdrew without forcing his will upon others, as House Bill 1792 proposes to do. The bill identifies controversial ideologies that are currently being promoted in public schools. That’s a serious concern which needs resolution. The … Read more
This week, on The Independents, join Carla Gericke for a lively recap of the Free State Project’s Liberty Forum—one of the best gatherings of pro-liberty thinkers and doers in the country. What were the biggest ideas, moments, and takeaways from this year’s event? Plus, get a preview of what’s ahead for the 23rd Annual Porcupine … Read more