In the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice fell into a rabbit hole and found herself in a world where up was down, animals could talk and a mad queen went around screaming, “Off with their heads!” In New Hampshire we have our own version of a “rabbit hole” and it’s the Free Stater version, just as surreal and crazy.
The House Session on Thurs., Feb. 12th was just another “rabbit hole” day. While there are so many examples, this article will focus on the hypocrisy of the majority party when it comes to children who, now out of the womb, are just more moving targets for these mad queens!
Last year the Republicans voted against two bills that would have prohibited school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid meal balances. With a vote of 202-173, schools can continue to deny lunch to kids who have a meal balance. The second bill would have required school districts establish an online application to participate in the free and reduced price meal program. This would have made the application process easier for families so their kids got free or reduced price meals in school. Republicans killed the bill, 209-165.
No food for you, kids!
Having learned nothing from the Dec. 2025 Brown University deadly shooting, last month Republicans passed (188-165) HB 1793, which prohibits public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of guns by anyone on campus. It also allows persons whose feelings are hurt if they can’t carry weapons on campus to sue colleges for damages and injunctive relief to the tune of at least $10,000. Not only will this become more costly for universities, it now opens up an even bigger shooting 231 arena with more moving targets. Online opposition to this bill was 643 to 231 who supported it.
House Democrats attempted to bring “red flag” legislation to the state. HB 1642 would establish a procedure for issuing extreme risk protection orders to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. Online testimony showed 237 people supported this bill, 92 opposed it. Not wanting to see fellow human beings kept safe over the rights of gun owners, Republicans “killed the bill”, 206-153. By the way, the state of Maine will become the 22nd state to enact a similar bill at the end of this month. Perhaps they learned an important but deadly lesson from the 2023 shootings in Lewiston.
Not satisfied with repealing the NH Vaccine Association or sneaking an anti-vaccine amendment into another bill last year, House Republicans recently passed HB 1719, 186-168. This bill removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases required for childhood immunizations. People online opposed this bill 302-190. Doctors who opposed and testified at the public hearing said the benefits of receiving this vaccine outweighed any potential risk. This bill goes against the recommendations of the NH State Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease Society of America, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians.
But what do they know?
Fun fact: in 1991, this universal birth vaccine caused a 95% drop in infant infections.
Here’s another “watch how cruel we are” bill that got Tabled, 197-158. HB 1798, a Democrat sponsored bill would direct the Dept. of Health & Human Services to seek a waiver to allow Medicaid to cover the cost of diapers for the first year of an infant's life, up to 100 diapers a month. This bill was for new mothers who qualified for Medicaid. But, in a “show” of support before tabling the bill, Republicans held a diaper drive at the State House to support nonprofits that assist mothers in need. All under the guise of saving taxpayers from having to foot the bill.
They have better things to spend taxpayer money on such as school vouchers designed to destroy public education or a new intelligence (surveillance) office.
Wake up, New Hampshire! Not only are we slowly losing local control to a group who wants to “take over the state government” (Jason Sorens, Free State founder) but they are slashing and burning everything that makes NH a great and welcoming state. Wake up, before all that’s left are ashes.