AGP Executive Report

Veto Watch: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed nine bills, including a push to expand school book removals, a measure aimed at abortion-related conscientious protections, and a bill that would have raised tolls for out-of-state visitors—bringing her 2026 veto total to 24. Criminal Justice: Ayotte also vetoed a bill that would have removed a three-year deadline for wrongfully convicted people to seek retrials based on new evidence, arguing existing post-conviction options are enough. Youth Detention Oversight: A watchdog and Sen. Victoria Sullivan are raising fresh doubts about whether New Hampshire can safely run the Sununu Youth Services Center, citing abuse/neglect allegations and staffing shortages, with calls to consider privatizing the facility. Local Governance: Rye restored most free beach parking after NH DOT overruled the town’s no-parking changes on Route 1A. Public Safety: Marine Patrol urged boaters to plan ahead for night travel and fireworks-related trips, and to follow basic safety rules. Nonprofit/Community: Heaven’s Kitchen’s Summer Meal Program is seeking donations to unlock a $50,000 matching grant before July 4.

Education & Workforce: The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire is searching for a new school to host its high school “plane-building” program, expanding a model that already runs in Manchester, Lebanon, and Farmington. Public Safety & Courts: A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration’s bid to get New Hampshire’s voter registration list, saying the request didn’t show a real need and would risk exposing sensitive data. Health Care Politics: NH Democrats are blasting Medicaid premium increases tied to the state budget timeline, while the Ayotte administration says DHHS is still awaiting federal guidance before any changes take effect. Data Privacy in Schools: Prospect Mountain School District earned a Trusted Learning Environment mini seal for classroom practices aimed at protecting student data. Criminal Justice: A former NH state representative, Stacie Laughton, was sentenced to 33 years in federal prison for child exploitation and child pornography. Local Government: Weirs Beach raised about $1,200 for a dog-rescue charity after Mayor Mike Bordes’ jeans auctioned for $400. Transportation: A fatal 3-vehicle crash on Nashua’s Everett Turnpike sent multiple children and adults to the hospital.

Election Integrity Fight: A federal judge rejected the Trump Justice Department’s bid to obtain New Hampshire’s voter registration list, saying the request violated the Civil Rights Act and that DOJ couldn’t show real Help America Vote Act violations—marking the tenth straight loss for the administration in similar voter-roll access cases. Legal Accountability: In the Kristy Gesse civil case, a judge turned down a request to bring back the jury after the foreperson left a message for lawyers, following a $16 million verdict over claims the state failed to protect her from sexual abuse in a group home. Trans Sports on the Campaign Trail: The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling allowing states to separate athletes by sex at birth is now reshaping New Hampshire politics, with Gov. Kelly Ayotte backing the state’s law while plaintiffs say their lawsuit will continue. Local Government & Access: New Hampshire and the DOJ are suing to reopen a blocked section of the Northern Rail Trail in Andover after an abutter allegedly placed concrete barriers, calling the move “rogue” and seeking an expedited injunction. State Politics Watch: A UNH poll finds movement in the governor and U.S. Senate races, with McKee’s support rising among Democrats while the Senate primary remains competitive.

U.S. Supreme Court: In a 6-3 ruling, the court struck down President Trump’s executive order trying to limit birthright citizenship, reaffirming that most children born in the U.S. are citizens under the 14th Amendment—an outcome tied to a New Hampshire federal case and sure to shape immigration and election-year messaging. Transgender sports in NH: The Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to bar transgender athletes, but NH’s own lawsuit over the state’s girls’ sports ban is still alive, with attorneys saying the legal arguments differ and enforcement fights will continue. NH politics & elections: A new St. Anselm survey finds no “ghost campaign” momentum yet in the Granite State primary, while other polling points to a close U.S. Senate race and shifting dynamics in statewide contests. Local governance & community: Barrington and Camp Fireside remain locked in a 74-year fight over a boat launch at Ayers Lake, now headed to state review. Public safety & law: New Hampshire’s fireworks rules for July 4 are getting attention as towns weigh local restrictions. Business/markets: Anghami confirmed it received a preliminary OSN proposal to take the company private, offering $3.39 per share.

U.S. Supreme Court Immigration: In a major win for New Hampshire plaintiffs, the Court struck down President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, reaffirming that most people born on U.S. soil are citizens under the 14th Amendment—setting off celebrations from rights groups and families tied to the NH case. Transgender Sports: The Court also upheld state bans on transgender girls and women in girls’ and women’s sports, and New Hampshire’s governor said the ruling clears the way to enforce the state’s law, though attorneys for NH plaintiffs say their federal challenge isn’t over. Accountability in State Care: A Merrimack County jury awarded $16 million to a woman who said she was sexually abused at a state-sanctioned group home, finding the state Department of Health and Human Services 25% at fault. Voting Rights / Data Access: A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s effort to force New Hampshire to hand over detailed voter rolls, dealing another setback to the administration’s push for confidential election data. Public Safety: Police and officials highlighted enforcement and consequences around illegal fireworks, while NH also faced extreme heat and air-quality alerts. Utilities / Local Government: Unitil completed its Aquarion water purchase, and Eversource completed the related sale—moves that will affect regulated water customers in NH.

US Supreme Court Watch: The court’s final decision day is set to include a ruling on Trump’s birthright citizenship order and cases that could reshape transgender student-athlete eligibility, with New Hampshire tied in through a prior federal judge ruling. NH Elections & Privacy: A federal judge dismissed the DOJ bid to force New Hampshire to hand over its unredacted voter registration list, marking another loss for the Trump administration and a win for state election privacy safeguards. Justice System Tech: Gov. Kelly Ayotte unveiled a new bail notification system so police can see real-time bail status and conditions statewide. Ballot Access Fight: The NH Ballot Law Commission upheld Secretary of State David Scanlan’s decision blocking independent U.S. Senate candidate Aaron Day, setting up more court action. Education Costs: A new NH law lets voters veto school administrative unit pay increases by requiring separate SAU budgets and an up-or-down vote. Courts & Accountability: In the Saddleback Mountain abuse case, lawyers argue the state could face a major settlement exposure tied to alleged failures in child care oversight. NH at 250: Secretary of State David Scanlan shared a Great American State Fair video featuring NH officials reading the Declaration of Independence.

Voting Rights & Courts: A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration’s push for New Hampshire’s unredacted voter rolls, marking the DOJ’s 11th straight loss and underscoring the fight over sensitive election data. Mail Voting & Early Voting: The Supreme Court upheld grace periods for late-arriving mail ballots, a win for voters that still leaves Republicans pressing to curb early voting. U.S. Senate Ballot Access: The New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission rejected Aaron Day’s appeal to run as an independent U.S. Senate candidate, saying he wasn’t registered to vote where he lives in time; Day says he’ll continue in federal court. Public Safety & Criminal Justice: Gov. Kelly Ayotte launched a statewide bail notification system so police can see bail conditions in real time, funded by a $500,000 investment. Housing: Hassan and Pappas urged Trump to sign a bipartisan housing bill aimed at cooling costs by limiting institutional investors’ ability to expand large single-family portfolios. LGBTQ+ Policy: Ayotte vetoed another anti-trans “bathroom bill,” with advocates arguing the repeated attacks keep coming instead of real solutions. State Politics & Accountability: A new report highlights Ayotte’s housing funding cuts as political damage control, while other coverage spotlights her silence on Trump’s trade wars. Military & Rights: A trans military ban challenge continues in federal court, with potential long-term implications for service members. Local Government & Community: Concord is gearing up for America 250 celebrations, including a July 4 parade and State House ceremony. Health & Care: A New Hampshire nurse pleaded guilty to diverting drugs from VA psychiatric patients, including tampering with medications.

U.S. Senate Watch: Chris Pappas is warning Democrats not to sleep on New Hampshire’s “sleeper” Senate race, pointing to heavy GOP recruiting and major outside spending as polls keep the contest tight between him and Republican Sen. John Sununu. Voting Rules & Transparency: A new push to tighten the STOCK Act is gaining momentum as Susan Collins faces attacks from both parties over “no teeth” enforcement, with a bipartisan bill targeting stock trading and prediction markets for top federal officials. Privacy & Policing: Privacy advocates are pressing for guardrails on police license plate readers after a Dayton, Ohio review suspended ALPR use amid claims data was accessed for immigration-related purposes. Social Security: A new map from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget shows New Hampshire retirees could face some of the steepest benefit cuts when the trust fund runs out in late 2032. NH Education Policy: HB 1817 is being framed as fixing access barriers for Education Freedom Account students, while lawmakers also continue work tied to Medicaid work requirements. Culture & Civic Life: New Hampshire is the only New England state taking part in the America250 showcase at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., as neighbors opt out.

LGBTQ+ Rights: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a third anti-trans “bathroom bill” (SB 552), again rejecting efforts that would let certain facilities restrict access based on gender identity, while advocates warn the repeated “copy-and-paste” bills keep targeting the same community. Independent Politics: Jon Kiper, running for governor as an Independent, is leaning on his Newmarket roots and an “outsider” pitch to pull progressives from the Democratic Party. Local Ballot Questions: Royalton’s selectboard is weighing whether to ask voters about allowing retail cannabis, after a nearby dispensary owner urged the town to opt in. Environment & Conservation: New Hampshire approved a $575,000 purchase of nearly seven acres of Karner blue butterfly habitat, expanding protected land for the endangered state species with federal and state funding. Health Workforce: A NH Business segment flags a projected shortage of about 1,300 nurses over the next four years and asks whether colleges and employers can retain graduates. Higher Ed Labor: UNH graduate employees and tenure-track faculty unions pressed the Trustees over stalled contract talks, with pay cited as the main sticking point. Civic History: Coverage around America’s 250th anniversary includes a Congressional time capsule plan and New Hampshire’s role in the bicentennial-era story.

NH Politics & Courts: The New Hampshire Supreme Court is set to revisit the state’s proof-of-citizenship voting law after an appeals ruling, while lawmakers also moved to raise the cap on anonymous campaign donations—both developments that could reshape how campaigns and elections operate in the Granite State. State Government & Policy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law raising the cap on anonymous campaign donations, and separate reporting highlights ongoing NH efforts to align federal Medicaid work requirements with state law. Public Health & Safety: NH’s attorney general’s office tapped a retired judge to monitor North Country Healthcare after a review tied to the nonprofit hospital system’s compliance and governance. Environment & Conservation: A Concord land deal approved by Gov. Ayotte and the Executive Council will expand protected habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly, with most funding coming from a federal grant. Labor & Higher Ed: UNH graduate employees and faculty unions are pressing trustees for fair contracts, arguing pay is the sticking point and that negotiations have stalled. Civic Life: A PorcFest State House tour series brought visitors into NH’s Capitol, offering a libertarian-leaning look at state history and governance.

NH Elections & Voting Rights: The state Attorney General’s Office asked a federal court for a stay in its appeal of a ruling striking down New Hampshire’s proof-of-citizenship voting law, keeping the fight over voter access alive while litigation continues. Campaign Finance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a bill raising the anonymous donation cap to $200 per election cycle, meaning small donors can stay off campaign finance reports while larger totals must be disclosed. Health Care Oversight: NH Attorney General John Formella tapped retired Judge David D. King to monitor North Country Healthcare after the AG’s review found breaches tied to the system’s affiliation agreement and governance failures. State Politics: A new “AI on the Ballot” interview series is set to spotlight candidates’ views on artificial intelligence ahead of the 2026 midterms. Public Safety: Gov. Kelly Ayotte kicked off boating season with a safety push, urging life jacket use and compliance with NH boating rules. Civic Life: The Free State Project’s PorcFest included State House tours led by Rep. Dan McGuire, drawing small crowds but keeping libertarian politics in the spotlight.

Voting Rights Fight: New Hampshire’s AG is asking a federal court to pause a ruling that struck down the state’s proof-of-citizenship voting law while the appeal moves forward. Campaign Finance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a bill raising the cap on anonymous campaign donations, letting donors give up to $200 per election cycle without being listed. Medicaid Work Requirements: NH lawmakers are working through how to implement the state’s Medicaid work requirement transition for 2027, with debate over whether exemptions and reporting will be too hard for eligible recipients. NH Politics & 2026 Senate: Rep. Chris Pappas is positioning his bid for the U.S. Senate against GOP contenders John Sununu or Scott Brown, leaning into NH’s “purple” electorate and calls for Democratic renewal. International Security: Seven U.S. senators, including Jeanne Shaheen, urged Taiwan to boost domestic defense production amid security concerns. Public Health Access: A new triannual rural health report finds some rural NH residents can access primary care, but many still rely on emergency departments for routine needs. Local/Community: The New Hampshire Press Association honored InDepthNH board chair Bob Charest with a lifetime achievement award, and the New Hampshire Bulletin won major statewide journalism awards.

U.S. Senate politics: An independent candidate, Aaron Day, is scrambling to qualify for New Hampshire’s November ballot after the Secretary of State rejected his filing, raising questions about ballot access rules and deadlines. Election finance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law raising the cap on anonymous campaign donations to $200 per election cycle, a move supporters call a balance of privacy and participation while critics warn it reduces transparency. State government & courts: The state is asking the New Hampshire Supreme Court to reconsider its reversal of Adam Montgomery’s second-degree murder conviction, arguing the jury heard overwhelming evidence. Public safety: Police shot a man in Landaff after reports he was walking in and out of traffic; the AG’s office is investigating. Public health & aging: Dartmouth Health is launching a “hospital without walls” home-care program with a $10 million gift, aiming to bring hospital-level services to older adults across Northern New England. Consumer protection: New Hampshire is adding safeguards for crypto ATMs, including a $2,000 daily cap and a 48-hour cancellation/refund window to curb scams targeting older adults. Energy: Officials held talks in Portsmouth on a nuclear power “roadmap,” including small modular reactors, as Ayotte directs the state to explore emerging nuclear options. Local civic culture: Portsmouth will premiere a 5,000-voice centennial song, “On Shining Waters,” on Guildhall Square’s Big Screen July 1.

Press & Politics: The Boston Globe’s New Hampshire team swept eight New Hampshire Press Association editorial awards, including first-place wins for investigative reporting and coverage of families facing the state’s ban on trans health care for kids. Ballot Fight: Massachusetts is set for a high-stakes November ballot question on repealing recreational marijuana legalization, with both sides gearing up for a major money-and-message battle—an issue likely to echo in New Hampshire’s own cannabis politics. Public Health & Accountability: Four people in New Hampshire were charged in a sprawling $3 billion healthcare fraud and money-laundering scheme tied to a Russian transnational criminal organization, spotlighting identity theft and bogus Medicare claims. Environment & State Action: New Hampshire approved a $575,000 land purchase to expand protected habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly, using federal and state funds. Federal Foreign Policy: The U.S. notified Congress it plans to sell $700M+ in jet engines to Turkey, despite lawmakers’ concerns tied to Turkey’s Russian S-400 purchase. NH Courts & Elections: Independent Senate candidate Aaron Day continues legal efforts to get on the ballot and block John E. Sununu.

NH Senate/ballot fight: Independent conservative/Free Stater Aaron Day is suing the New Hampshire Secretary of State to get on the general election ballot and “sink” John E. Sununu, after the state blocked his filing; Day says the case is about stopping Sununu from winning. GOP primary spotlight: In the Hampton debate, Scott Brown and John Sununu sparred over Trump ties and independence, with Brown arguing Sununu’s independence is compromised by Trump’s endorsement. Statehouse leadership politics: House Majority Leader Jason Osborne announced he’s running for Speaker after Sherman Packard said he won’t seek another term. Medical cannabis veto override push: NH lawmakers are moving to override Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s veto of a bill allowing medical cannabis greenhouse cultivation, arguing it would lower costs for patients and veterans. Opioids funding: Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan re-introduced a $65B federal opioid response plan, including more treatment, housing, and naloxone coverage. Health care fraud crackdown: Federal prosecutors announced charges tied to a nearly $3B health care fraud money-laundering scheme involving stolen identities across New Hampshire and New England. Campaign finance: New filings show Ayotte outraising Cinde Warmington by about 6-to-1, with Ayotte reporting $2M cash on hand. Energy policy: Consumers are set to receive RGGI rebates, with the program tied to carbon caps and returned revenue for affordability and retrofit efforts.

U.S. Senate GOP Showdown: Former Sens. John Sununu and Scott Brown traded barbs in the first NH Senate primary debate, with Trump’s “complete and total” endorsement for Sununu driving much of the clash while both candidates largely agreed on conservative issues like birthright citizenship and transgender athletes. Youth Detention Center Settlements: NH lawmakers approved $20 million to settle abuse claims tied to the state-run Youth Development Center, and the new settlement fund administrator said the process will be streamlined as hearings ramp up in August. Homeland Security of Elections: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway led a 23-state amicus brief backing Indiana’s voter ID law, arguing states can set election-integrity rules. NH Housing Push: Free-market advocates and GOP lawmakers highlighted “starter” homes and regulatory reforms, including statewide building-code efforts, as the path to easing NH’s housing shortage. Executive Council Fight: Convicted former Ports Director Geno Marconi asked a court to force him onto the Executive Council agenda to argue for legal help in a civil case. Public Defender System Warning (Elsewhere, but relevant): A Massachusetts inspector general report says the public defender system is broken and resistant to oversight, underscoring national pressure on indigency determinations.