AGP Executive Report

Gas Prices Pressure: A new New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute report says the jump to about $4.50 a gallon since winter is hitting lower-income commuters hardest, with fuel costs potentially adding hundreds of dollars a year and raising worries about road and bridge upkeep. Housing Survival: Despite a repeal-focused legislative session, some pro-housing gains stayed alive—especially efforts easing zoning and supporting ADUs, manufactured housing, and conversions to multi-family homes. Crypto in Municipal Finance: NH’s bitcoin-backed municipal bond plan is still awaiting approval and carries a below-investment-grade Moody’s rating, as bitcoin’s volatility remains front and center. CPR Push: The Executive Council kicked off a statewide hands-only CPR training challenge, aiming to get thousands trained using the “Stayin’ Alive” beat. Politics: A “Florida Man” style candidate, Charlie Hough, says he’s running for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. Energy Refund Fight: Regulators denied Eversource’s bid to pause a $1.6B customer refund tied to past transmission charges.

Commuter Rail Strike Hits Day 3: New York’s Long Island Rail Road strike is still snarling commutes, with unions and the MTA back at the table after talks stalled around 1 a.m., leaving riders scrambling for car, bus, and subway alternatives. AI in Politics: A Los Angeles mayoral race is getting flooded with fan-made AI campaign videos—raising fresh questions about how hard it’s becoming to tell real from synthetic. NH Public Safety Accountability: Berlin police faced renewed scrutiny after an internal review called failures in basic policing “glaring” in the lead-up to a domestic violence murder-suicide. Waste Worry in the Region: NEWMOA warns Northeast disposal capacity could drop sharply within five years, with New Hampshire in the mix. Local Watchdog Tour: NHFPI’s State Budget tour is in its final county stops, including Laconia, Portsmouth, Newport, and Berlin. Energy & Growth Tension: Dominion and NextEra are pursuing a mega-merger, while NH’s own data-center debate keeps circling back to energy costs. Merrimack County FDA Checks: Five companies tied to Merrimack County cities received FDA inspections in 2025, all showing “no action indicated.”

Data Center Fight: Gov. Kelly Ayotte doubled down on opposing new data-center expansion, arguing the real bottleneck is energy—she says ISO-New England’s capacity for the region without driving up costs is only about 300–400MW, roughly the size of one major facility. Cost-of-Living Politics: In the same TV push, Ayotte framed energy affordability as her top lever for voters heading into November. Housing Debate: A fresh argument in NH’s housing fight says the “local vs. state control” framing misses the point—liberty, not locality, is the question behind zoning and building-cost rules. Air Service Shock: JetBlue will end all flights at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on July 8, another hit to smaller-market connectivity. Mental Health Coverage: NH House lawmakers balked at requiring insurers to cover wraparound children’s mental health services, sending the bill to interim study instead of advancing it. Local Governance: A Berlin, NH-area story highlights how police missteps in a domestic-violence case can have deadly consequences.

Wraparound mental health fight: New Hampshire House lawmakers balked at requiring insurers to cover wraparound mental health services, sending the bill to interim study and dealing Gov. Kelly Ayotte a fresh setback. Data center backlash: In the same session swirl, the House tabled a bill that would have limited local regulation of “data centers,” effectively sidelining it for the rest of the year—another sign towns want more say over electricity, water use, and local impacts. Local governance friction: A Town Council dispute is spotlighting charter and state-law concerns after councilors were accused of contacting town attorneys on their own and racking up legal bills without full approval. Forestry research at risk: Bartlett Experimental Forest is back in the spotlight as advocates push back on a U.S. Forest Service closure plan, arguing there’s “no substitute” for the research. Quick hits: A reader question on South Dakota’s lack of automatic license plate reader privacy laws, plus Vermont lottery results and a frost-date gardening guide round out the lighter coverage.

Wraparound mental health fight: New Hampshire House lawmakers tabled a bill that would have required insurers to cover wraparound mental health services, dealing a fresh blow to Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s push. Data center backlash: A state effort to limit local regulation of massive data centers was tabled in the House, keeping local control and environmental/aesthetic concerns in the spotlight as moratorium efforts surge nationwide. Democrats recruit outside muscle: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear headlined the NH Democratic Party convention, campaigning for candidates including Cinde Warmington, Chris Pappas, and Maggie Goodlander. PFAS bill alarm: A New Hampshire PFAS farmland bill is drawing fire after a Senate rewrite removed sludge protections, raising fears that residents could carry more risk. Local health spending snapshot: Dover Medicaid “medicine services and procedures” claims jumped to $1.56M in 2024, up 20%. Weather: Warmer air moves in over the weekend, with highs near 90 by midweek.

Taxes on autopilot: A new “why are all those taxes taken out of my paycheck?” explainer captures the moment young workers realize the real-world bite of withholding—an old rite of passage that still surprises adults. PFAS policy whiplash: A New Hampshire PFAS bill meant to protect farmland is raising alarms after a Senate rewrite stripped out references to sewage sludge, the core of the original proposal. Data center fight: Gov. Kelly Ayotte says stalled legislation would have made data centers easier to build “by right,” and warns electricity costs could spike if siting expands. Cyber threat: State officials warn of a fresh email scam aimed at NH fire and EMS licensing providers, urging recipients to delete messages and not click links. Local health spending: Dover Medicaid medicine-services claims hit $1.56M in 2024 (+20%), while Nashua pathology and lab billing rose to $802,802 (+11.1%). Weather: Warmer air moves in this weekend, with many spots warming into the 70s and near 90 by midweek.

Data Centers vs. Local Control: The NH House voted to table a bill that would have limited towns’ ability to regulate data centers and pushed for “by right” approval in commercial/industrial zones—304-11—leaving the fight over siting and impacts very much alive. Kids’ Mental Health Standoff: Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s push for Senate Bill 498 (wraparound intensive behavioral health for children) took another hit after the House sent it to interim study, while the Senate later tried to keep momentum by attaching it to an unrelated measure—setting up a conference committee showdown. Campus Carry Moves Forward: Senate Republicans passed an amended HB 1793 to guarantee faculty the right to carry firearms in university classrooms, while sending student arming to a summer study committee. PFAS in Manchester: Conservation Law Foundation argued the EPA didn’t do enough due diligence on PFAS limits tied to Manchester’s wastewater permit. Local Life: Laconia charged a man after 14 animals were removed from his home; and the Tamarack Drive-In in Meredith has a new ownership chapter.

Lawsuit Over Adult-Club Photo Use: Carmen Electra and 11 other models sued a New Hampshire strip club in federal court, alleging it used their photos on social media without permission and falsely tied them to the business. Gift-Card Scam Fallout: Separate reporting points to New Hampshire’s role in a wider Apple gift-card scheme—stolen cards, tax-free Apple buys, and resale overseas—after investigators found thousands of iPhones tied to the operation. Child-Protection Penalties: The Senate approved a bill that would punish people who knowingly file false child-abuse reports to the state, with misdemeanor penalties and potential civil lawsuits. Public Safety: A crash in Marlborough killed one person and injured a school bus driver; students were evaluated and reported safe. Local Governance: The House tabled a data-center zoning bill that would have limited towns’ ability to regulate these facilities. Health Policy Fight: A wraparound children’s mental-health insurance bill was rejected by the House, pushing the debate toward a possible compromise.

Firearms Crackdown: Federal prosecutors say a cross-border gun smuggling operation tied to New Hampshire dealers funneled dozens of illegal weapons into Canada via the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation—five people have pleaded guilty and eight more were charged, with about 51 guns linked to violent crime scenes. Mental Health Fight: New Hampshire House lawmakers sent a bill to interim study that would have required private insurers to cover wraparound care for children (FAST Forward), a delay that keeps taxpayers on the hook for roughly $2 million a year. Campus Carry Standoff: The Senate advanced a campus-carry study plan while the House rejected efforts to expand student gun rights, leaving the issue to end-of-year negotiations. Landfill Oversight: The Senate approved a site evaluation committee for landfills, and also passed a bipartisan childcare tax credit for businesses. Local Color: Omni Mount Washington Resort is rolling out its biggest renovation in generations, while a private-island home in NH is drawing attention for its off-grid price tag.

Wraparound Mental Health Stalled: The New Hampshire House sent a wraparound mental health insurance bill to interim study, delaying Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s push to require coverage for FAST Forward services for kids in crisis. Local Government Watch: Jay residents approved the final $16,500 needed to keep trash collection moving and set 2026-27 sewer rates, showing how town-by-town decisions drive real costs. Public Safety & Immigration: The Grafton County Sheriff’s office appears to be backing out of its ICE task-force agreement after local pushback. Healthcare Workforce: Bedford nursing assistant Peyton Kopp won a $5,000 FedPoint scholarship, part of a growing push to expand New Hampshire’s nurse pipeline. Consumer/Legal: NH AG Formella announced a settlement with a former East Kingston attorney over alleged unauthorized practice and deceptive conduct. Business & Community: The Ticketing Co. is pitching itself as an independent alternative in a crowded market, as the broader ticketing industry faces antitrust scrutiny.

Transportation & Access: A new NH-focused look at rail highlights how the Downeaster is the state’s main shot at Boston without a car—while broader commuter-rail dreams between Nashua, Manchester, and Concord still stall. Social Services Pressure: A social worker warns NH is failing people in crisis as DHHS is ordered to cut $51 million, arguing understaffing is driving costly hospitalizations and leaving residents without a “hand up.” Water & Pesticides: The Pesticide Control Board is set to weigh neonicotinoids, after earlier legislation got punted to rulemaking—leaving lake protection in limbo. Gun Policy vs. Health Coverage: A “poison-pill” fight is brewing in Concord over linking campus guns rules to adult amputee prosthetics insurance. Public Safety Politics: Bail reform is now a governor’s race flashpoint, with police citing fewer releases and Democrats pushing back. Local Politics: Manchester Democrats for NH-01 faced voters at a public panel, with Gaza sparking heat. Courts & Surveillance: A federal case raises questions after police allegedly used a neighbor’s camera feed for years without a warrant. Community Notes: Spring honors roll in, plus local students and nonprofits spotlighted across the state.

Animal Shelters Clash: New Hampshire Humane Society says Gov. Kelly Ayotte signing House Bill 1766 would force shelters to overhaul or end municipal contracts—calling it “excessive interference” and warning partners are ready to follow. Gift-Card Fraud Crackdown: Federal prosecutors say an Amherst-area warehouse hub took in $35M in Apple devices bought with gift cards, tied to “Project Red Hook,” with searches across multiple NH towns. Locker-Room Fight: A Concord woman alleges Planet Fitness canceled her membership after she reported a man in the women’s locker room, while the gym points to its gender-identity locker-room policy. Historic Preservation: Jaffrey’s Woodbound Road Bridge is among seven new properties added to the NH State Register of Historic Places. Local Tech/Health: Tenovi was selected for CPESN USA’s pharmacist-led remote care initiative, aiming to scale rural monitoring. Arts & Community: The Mammals return to the Unitarian Meetinghouse in Bernardston; plus more arts briefs and a WWII bomb-squad talk in Wolfeboro.

Transportation Accessibility & Funding: A new NH-focused special report puts numbers behind the struggle: the state’s public transit match has historically been tiny, leaving rural riders dependent on limited, individualized van-style services—still only a fraction of what’s needed to unlock full federal support. Vehicle Inspections Fight: 25 Republican AGs back NH in its court battle over ending mandatory vehicle inspections, calling the challenge a “rent-seeking” preemptive strike. Gas Tax Relief Debate: Trump proposes pausing the federal gas tax to blunt Iran-war-driven price pressure, but it still needs Congress—and NH drivers are watching closely. DEI in the Workplace: The EEOC sues Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast over alleged sex discrimination tied to a women-only employer event. Housing Momentum: Greenville’s planning board unanimously approves a $12.5M, 28-unit Spruce Street project. Local Politics: A NH congressional candidate, Heath Howard, faces fresh backlash after refusing to affirm Israel’s “right to exist.”

Iran War Fallout: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the Iran ceasefire is still holding, even as questions grow over costs and what comes next; the price tag for the 2027 Pentagon budget request is now pegged at about $1.5 trillion, with the war’s cost climbing and Strait of Hormuz disruption adding pressure. Gas Tax Relief Fight: Trump says he’ll move to suspend the federal gasoline tax, but Congress has to approve it—so drivers may get political promises before they get real relief. Vehicle Inspections Court Battle: 25 states filed a brief backing New Hampshire in its fight over ending vehicle inspections, after a judge said an earlier lawsuit was filed too soon. Housing Push in Greenville: A 28-unit development in Greenville cleared key planning steps, with infrastructure work already underway. Wildfire Risk: Drought is raising the stakes for New Hampshire’s fire season. Local Business & Community: A new NH brokerage deal lands as Gibson Sotheby’s buys Madden Group, and Hubbard Brook’s research forest is spared from closure after pushback.

Gas Tax Showdown: President Trump says he’ll move to suspend the federal gasoline tax to blunt Iran-war fuel spikes, but Congress has to approve it; the national average is about $4.52/gal, and the federal tax is 18.4 cents on gas (24.4 on diesel). Taiwan Arms Pressure: A bipartisan group of senators urges Trump to push a long-delayed $14B Taiwan weapons package before his Xi meeting, warning support for Taiwan can’t become a bargaining chip. Public Health Alert: NH confirms two residents were passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship during a hantavirus outbreak; they’re out of state and officials are coordinating monitoring. Local Housing Rules: Concord’s dead-end road-length cap is back in the spotlight as lawmakers push to block towns from using long-road limits to stall housing. Environment Win: Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest will stay open as the U.S. Forest Service reorganization continues, with Bartlett’s future still under review. NH Business & Community: Castle in the Clouds names a new buildings-and-grounds director; UNH Extension ramps up Emerald Ash Borer guidance for May 17-23.

Forest Research Rescue: New Hampshire’s Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest will stay open after the U.S. Forest Service restructuring, while Bartlett’s closure plans are being reexamined—Ayotte and Shaheen say USDA is reviewing the threat to the White Mountains’ research facilities. Medicaid Pressure on Rural Care: Rural hospitals and clinics are still feeling the squeeze from H.R. 1 Medicaid cuts, with the Rural Health Transformation Fund falling short of the damage. Primary Date Shift: Ayotte signed a law moving New Hampshire’s state primary to the second Tuesday in June starting in 2028, ending the September primary. Health Coverage Fight: Ayotte is pushing back after a House committee punted on requiring insurers to cover wraparound mental health services for children. Economy Mood: A new look at NH’s labor market says the state is still relatively strong, but job growth and wages aren’t keeping up for many workers. Tourism Watch: Research finds a sharp 42% drop in Canadian visits to U.S. metro areas, with NH flagged among the hit states.