Updates

December 21, 2025

December 1, 2025

Tonight, I attended the Salem Town Council meeting. Agenda items included an update on the police station construction project, the status of road repairs, and a discussion on changes to town fees. As anticipated, the focal point of the meeting was the public hearing on Charter Amendment #2. The amendment would eliminate the Budget Committee.

This follows the controversial Budget Committee meeting that took place on November 12th. In a 5-4 vote, the Budget Committee mandated the Town Council reduce spending by two million dollars. Hence, the Town Council’s balancing act of reducing the anticipated property tax increase with minimal disruptions to municipal services.

Ultimately, the Town Council voted in favor of all Charter Amendments (including Charter Amendment #2). The eight councilors who voted in favor cited different reasons for doing so, including that the Budget Committee “has outlived its usefulness” since its inception in the early 1960s. Members of the Budget Committee disagreed, recognizing that the committee has the closest relation to Salem taxpayers of all elected bodies.

The Charter Amendment will be further discussed at the town Deliberative Session before the March Elections.

I share this to provide a straight-forward and matter-of-fact overview free of bias. After all, most politics are local! 

You can watch tonight’s meeting here: https://salem.cablecast.tv/internetchannel/show/19156?site=1&query=town+council&fullText=false

November 20, 2025

Over the past few days, I met fellow policymakers at the National Education Summit. Together we discussed ways to improve student outcomes and boost classroom morale. I look forward to implementing many new ideas back home in the Granite State!

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting the keynote speaker: Admiral William H. McRaven. He is perhaps best known for his role in the capture of Osama bin Laden (Operation Neptune Spear).

On a personal note, the Admiral’s first book was gifted to me as a high school graduation gift. This made receiving a signed copy of his latest book even more special. A must read!

September 17, 2025

Happy Constitution Day! The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. However, the Constitutional Convention began on May 25th.

Today is also Citizenship Day, which was first recognized by President Roosevelt in May of 1940. In 1952, the date was changed to September 17th.

An act of Congress combined both Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in 2004.

August 9, 2025

Today, the Town of Salem celebrated its 275th Birthday! The party included live music, rock climbing, face painting, bounce houses, food trucks, a car show, and historical re-enactments. I volunteered for the dunk tank!

August 6, 2025

Last week, we met legislators in the Tennessee State Capitol. While in Nashville, we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum, and Downtown.

While New Hampshire beats Tennessee in both Education and Economic Freedom, they do one thing better… line dancing! Anyone else want more music culture in the Northeast?

July 20, 2025

President Trump signed “One Big Beautiful Bill” into law on July 4, 2025. The official name for OBBB is H.R. 1 – 119th Congress (2025-2026). This post addresses questions I have received about this, especially regarding overtime pay. -Valerie

July 1, 2025

New Hampshire’s EFA Program has been open to all K-12 students since early June. The application deadline for the 2025-2026 school year is July 15th. Apply Here.

This law change resulted from SB 295, the identical companion bill of HB 115. The attached video compiles all legislative proceedings (hearings, debates, etc.) into one place. All clips are unedited.

Personally, I learned a lot from the experience. This video aims to make it convenient for others to learn too, rather than search for each individual clip.

June 13, 2025

This year, I sponsored an anti-cyberbullying bill, which is now law. For the sake of transparency and to further our collective understanding of civics, this video compiles all of the official meetings regarding HB 108. The vote was unanimous.

June 10, 2025

Today, Governor Ayotte signed Universal Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) into law. This will be life changing for so many families.

I’d be remised not to acknowledge the incredible work of countless others. Thank you to my House colleagues, the many parents and students who voiced support, and everyone who helped behind-the-scenes.

Please apply for the 2025-2026 school year by July 15th.

June 6, 2025

NH Democrats interrupted my speech and they still lost!

June 3, 2025

I am excited to partner with AFP – NH to celebrate this year’s Super 603 Day. The legislature will be voting on HB 115 – FN and SB 295 -FN later this week. Hopefully, these critical pieces of legislation will reach the Governor’s desk! Happy 6/03 Day New Hampshire!

March 20, 2025

Today, the NH House of Representatives voted in favor of several bills/resolutions, some of which will be referred to a second committee. The rest will be sent to the NH Senate. Below is a summary of today’s key votes, but is not an exhaustive list.

• (HB 10) establishing a parental bill of rights
• (HR 16) recognizing frontline health workers for their service during the COVID-19 pandemic
• (HB 148) permitting classification by biological sex in locker rooms, sports, and detention facilities
• (HB 68) regarding “best interest placements” in education

I voted in favor of all of the above. In addition, I spoke in favor of HB 68. Please see the following video.

More information (including voting records) can be found on the NH General Court Website. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

March 19, 2025

Yesterday, I joined Jeff Chidester on Morning Update. Listen Here.

March 13, 2025

Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to pass universal school choice!

As the prime sponsor of HB 115-FN, I look forward to the day when no child is turned away from an education that best meets their needs.

March 13, 2025

Click here to view my latest Op-Ed in Union Leader.

March 7, 2025

Click here to view my latest Op-Ed in Granite Grok.

March 6, 2025

Today, the NH House of Representatives voted in favor of several bills/resolutions, some of which will be referred to a second committee. The rest will be sent to the NH Senate. Below is a summary of today’s key votes, but is not an exhaustive list.

• (HB 591) expands hours for keno gaming on weekends
• (HB 771-FN) modifies budgeting procedures for open enrollment schools
• (HB 208-FN) removes the requirement for school nurses to be certified by the Department of Education
• (HB 54-FN) allows medical cannabis centers to operate for profit, instead of being non-profit
• (HB 524-FN) repeals the New Hampshire Vaccine Association
• (HB 713-FN) installs mile markers along the Kancamagus Highway
• (HCR 1) resolves that federal officials fully consider all information related to climate change before enacting policy that could have adverse economic impacts
• (HB 649-FN) repeals vehicle inspections to bring New Hampshire in line with most other states

I voted in favor of all of the above, except HB 54.

More information (including voting records) can be found on the NH General Court Website. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

March 5, 2025

Congratulations to Byrna Technologies on their grand opening in Salem, New Hampshire! We are excited to welcome you to our growing business community!

Byrna offers less lethal alternatives to firearms, creating more options for civilian self-defense. Their knowledgeable team provides product demonstrations, training, and safety information.

As a female shooter, I found both models to be lighter and easier to fire than a typical gun. There is also no recoil, making the products beginner-friendly. Notably, background checks are not required because these are not firearms.

As a legislator, I will continue to defend the 2nd Amendment and preserve New Hampshire’s Constitutional Carry laws. Furthermore, I look forward to welcoming more innovative businesses to Salem!

March 4, 2025

Today, the House Education Funding committee recommended HB 115 “Ought to Pass” in a 10-8 vote. They added an amendment to raise the income cap to 400% next year and remove the cap (universal) in all subsequent years. It will go to the House Floor for a vote on Thursday 3/13.

The bill’s presentation is below (January 16th).

February 20, 2025

Today, the NH House of Representatives voted in favor of several bills, some of which will be referred to a second committee. The rest will be sent to the NH Senate. Below is a summary of today’s key votes, but is not an exhaustive list.

• (HB 682) Repeals the office of offshore wind industry
• (HB 260) Creates a commemorative license plate celebrating America’s 250th birthday
• (HB 243) Establishes penalties for false reports of child abuse and neglect
• (HB 75) Legalizes marijuana for adults 21 years of age or older
• (HB 207) Legalizes brass knuckles and other similar items for adults 18 years of age or older
• (HB 381) Exempts firearms manufactured for exclusively in-state use from the National Firearm Act
• (HB 282) Increases benefits for first responders critically injured in the line of duty

I voted in favor of all of the above, except HB 75.

More information (including voting records) can be found on the NH General Court Website. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

February 5, 2025

What you don’t see…

Despite political animosity turning people away from civic participation, we continue to strive for positive change. Often, this means collaborating and having difficult conversations.

Today, I presented HB 108, a bill addressing cyberbullying in NH school districts. Everyone agreed about the need to address the issue, especially recognizing the connection to mental health and youth suicide.

There will certainly be more to this discussion. I will share updates as they become available.

January 17, 2025

Yesterday, I presented HB 115 – FN to the New Hampshire House of Representatives Education Funding Committee. This bill would remove the income limitation from the eligibility requirements for the Education Freedom Account (EFA) Program. If passed, all New Hampshire families will be empowered to choose an educational setting that best fits their needs.

Thank you to the committee, to everyone who attended the hearing, and to everyone who testified in support online. I greatly appreciate your commitment to the future of New Hampshire education.

The next step is for the committee to vote on the bill. Afterwards, the House will vote. I will post updates here. Stay tuned!

November 5, 2024

Thanks Salem! We have already accomplished so much, and together we will achieve even more. The future is bright!

September 25, 2024

Last night’s planning board meeting was extremely well-attended, which is not typical but great to see. The board heard presentations for a few building proposals, such as constructing a new Bank of America. However, these presentations were overshadowed by the main discussion of the night— the potential Live Casino and Event Center coming to Salem. If approved, the Casino would open its doors for charitable gambling inside the Mall at Rockingham Park in 2026.

Joe Faro of Tuscan Brands and Sal Lupoli of Sal’s Pizza presented the proposal, joined by many others including the mall manager, Kenneth Brown. Speaking on behalf of Simon Malls, Brown insisted Live Casino would help to revitalize the mall, which has seen a decrease in shoppers over the past several years. Live would move into the space once occupied by Lord & Taylor, which has been vacant since 2020. 

Notably, only 30% of the increased traffic flow is expected to come from the North and an overwhelming 70% to comefrom the South, likely Massachusetts. The majority of these visitors are expected to arrive off Exit 1 of I-93, which may lead to congestion.

In addition to the proposal, the casino requested a conditional use permit to have fewer parking spaces than legally required. This request was prompted by a thorough parking analysis, which found that many existing spaces are vacant even during peak shopping times. However, as anticipated, the board did not take action on the conditional use permit or the overall project.

Instead, the board unanimously voted to classify the project as a “Development of Regional Impact” under RSA 36:54-58. This recognizes that the project (if approved) would have a significant impact on its surroundings and requires the greater community to be noticed of the proceedings. This measure is uncommon, so much so that Vice Chair Sean Lewis, remarked that the proposal was “unlike” what the board has voted on previously.

During the public comment period, several residents raised safety concerns, especially with the casino being located in close proximity to elementary schools. Questions about the impact on property taxes were also raised, but werendeclarednon-germane and not discussed. All-in-all, I anticipate the community to continue being involved in the debate, both in support and in strong contempt. 

Finally, the planning board meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for October 8th at the Town Hall. To view the meeting in its entirety, watch it on Salem Community Television.

September 10, 2024

Thank you Salem for the support in the Primary! Despite overall statewide low turnout, we got more votes than two years ago. I am tremendously grateful!

Congratulations to the other winners too! See you November 5th for the General Election!

September 5, 2024

Hello Salem! It is Election Season, so there is a lot going on. Having received some questions on the topic, this post aims to provide non-partisan information about all of Tuesday’s races. If I can clarify anything, please do not hesitate to reach out. My personal email is ValerieMcDonnell525@gmail.com.

Tuesday is the New Hampshire Primary for state, county, and Congressional races. In other words, local races and the Presidential election will not be on the ballot. More specifically, the Governor, US Representatives, Executive Councilors, State Senators, State Representatives, County Commissioners, and Delegates races will be on the ballot. More information below!

The ballot varies depending on where you will be voting across the state. The following information is specific to Salem:

The town of Salem is located in Congressional District 2. Therefore, Salem ballots will only list CD-2 candidates. In other words, Salem voters cannot vote for CD-1 representation.

Additionally, Salem is located in Executive Council District 3. Therefore, Salem ballots will only list District 3 candidates. In other words, Salem voters cannot vote for Councilors to the other districts. This race is uncontested in both parties’ primary.

Moreover, Salem is located in State Senate District 22. Therefore, Salem ballots will only list District 22 candidates. In other words, Salem voters cannot vote for Senators to the other districts. This race is uncontested in both parties’ primary.

Next listed is the race for State Representatives. I am a candidate in this race. The town of Salem is allotted nine State Representatives. However, there are ten candidates in the Republican Primary and seven candidates in the Democratic Primary for a total of seventeen candidates. On Tuesday, the nine Republican candidates who earn the most votes will win the Primary. The other candidate will be eliminated. Also on Tuesday, the Democratic Primary will occur. However, since there are less candidates (seven) then available seats (nine), all will win the Primary (unless in the unlikely event that a large-number of ballots contain write-in candidates). The names of the winners of both Primaries will be placed on the General Election ballot. The General Election will occur on Tuesday, November 5th.

The County Commissioner race is listed next. Salem is located in Rockingham District 2. Therefore, Salem ballots will only list these candidates. In other words, Salem voters cannot vote for Commissioners to other districts or to other counties.

Finally, are Salem’s Delegates to the State Convention. In this race you can vote for up to nine candidates. Yes, you can vote for less if you would like. However, you cannot vote for more than nine. This race is only listed on the Republican ballot.

The ballot also varies depending on which party you select. If you are registered as a Republican, then you may only vote in the Republican Primary. If you are registered as a Democrat, then you may only vote in the Democratic Party. If you are an Unaffiliated Voter, then you may vote in either Primary. However, voting will change your Party Affiliation to the party you select. For example, if you are an Unaffiliated Voter and choose to vote in the Republican Primary, then your party affiliation will be changed to Republican. If you would like, you can change back to Unaffiliated after the election. Please see sample ballots below.

For more information please refer to the Town of Salem webpage. All the best! -Valerie

September 2, 2024

I endorsed Salem-native Chuck Morse for Governor. In his words, “I’m honored to have the support of Representative Valerie McDonnell, a rising star in the New Hampshire Republican Party, for my campaign for Governor. I believe that New Hampshire’s best days are ahead, and by working with young conservatives like Valerie, we will undoubtedly keep our state on the right track forward.”

June 14, 2024

Today, HB 1109 was signed into law. Of the bills I cosponsored, this is the first to become law. It will take effect in 60 days.

HB 1109 raises critical awareness of eating disorders and provides support to students who may be struggling. With easy access to the National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline, as well as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, students and their loved ones can be instantly connected to life-saving guidance. Help is only a phone call away.

A number of representatives and advocates assisted in this effort. Remarkably, the idea came from a New Hampshire high school student. To recognize the student’s leadership, the act was named in his honor.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder please call (866) 662-1235.

If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide or may be in crisis please dial 988.

March 15, 2024

“Free speech should not be limited to the back corner of the parking lot and prohibited everywhere else.”

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed House Bill 1305 to secure First Amendment Rights to college students. The bill has support from the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression).

February 1, 2024

Representative Jonah Wheeler (D-Peterborough) and myself were recognized by the National Association of Secretaries of State. The Youth Leadership Award is named after Congressman John Lewis. The Congressman was a lifelong champion of the civil rights movement.

Thank you Secretary of State David Scanlan for the incredible honor.

Additional thanks to Representative Bill Boyd (R-Merrimack) for his remarks during today’s House Session.

January 5, 2024

On January 4th and 5th, the State House kicked off the year with several wins for the people of New Hampshire. Among the success, was the passage of HB 354 which permits charter schools to apply for state building aid. The money for school renovations had previously been allocated in the state budget, so HB 354 increases funding without increasing taxes. Currently, 35 schools and more than 5,000 students will benefit statewide, including The Birches Academy (Salem) and Windham Academy. I spoke in favor of HB 354 on the House Floor. The State Senate will assess the legislation beginning in April.

Also in regard to Education, the committee on which I am a member, HB 628 was defeated. If passed, the Democrat-sponsored legislation would have required background checks on all Education providers that accept public funds. Many homeschool families receive assistance from The Children’s Scholarship Fund, so would have been subject to background checks. In other words, parents would have been required to have their criminal history investigated before being allowed to educate their own children in their own homes.

In addition, topics relating to the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community were the subject of four bills. First, HB 264 was defeated in a vote of 191 to 185. The bill would have allowed vital records to be altered. In other words, transgender individuals would have a process to replace birth certificates. Considering the court system already issues new birth certificates reflecting changes in gender identity, the House found it unwise to erase old records.

Also, HB 368, relative to protections related to receiving gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care, was defeated in a 191 to 185 vote. All representatives of Salem were in attendance and voted against the bill.

Next, HB 619 deals predominantly with “bottom surgery,” or genital modification as part of gender transitions. The bill aims to ban these types of procedures for minors, except in special circumstances. HB 619, ensures life-altering decisions are not hastily made. Notably, adults could still elect to have surgery, if so desired. The bill passed in a bipartisan manner with affirmative votes from every representative of Salem. The vote was 199 to 175. The State Senate will assess the legislation beginning in April.

Finally, HB 396 would enable New Hampshire to classify spaces based on biological sex in “certain limited circumstances.” The specific circumstances listed within the bill are to protect privacy rights and physical safety. HB 396 originated from mounting concerns about biological females sharing spaces such as restrooms, locker rooms, and prisons with biological males. The bill passed in a 192 to 184 vote, with all Salem Representatives on the prevailing side. After the session days, the members of NH General Court were informed via email that a Democratic Representative moved to reconsider HB 396. So, the vote will be repeated during the next session day, the date of which is currently unknown, but at the call of the Speaker. According to State House rules, any member can request reconsideration on any vote on which they were on the prevailing side. However, a vote cannot be reconsidered more than once.

January 4, 2024

We had a tremendous start to the session these past two days! Alongside many wins for the people of New Hampshire, the House voted to enable charter schools to apply for state building aid grants. The money for school renovations had previously been allocated in the state budget, so HB 354 will increase funding without increasing taxes. Currently, 35 schools and more than 5,000 students will benefit statewide, including Salem’s very own Birches Academy.

The State Senate will assess the legislation beginning in April.

Attached is a video of the Floor Speech, I gave in support of the bill.

December 17, 2023

Yesterday, I was honored to speak at President Trump’s rally at UNH’s Whittemore Center Arena in Durham. Below is the video:

December 11, 2023

This week marks one year since the members of the New Hampshire General Court were sworn-in, myself included. More specifically, I serve on the House Education Committee, which deals with topics including Parent’s Rights, Critical Race Theory, and School Choice. These higher-profile topics generate both public outcry and lengthy floor debates. Hence, sizable media attention is drawn to these issues.

However, as is typical, not all bills reach the House Floor after a committee hearing and single executive session. Instead, a portion of bills are retained in committee for further work throughout the summer and fall. I generally do not support bill retainment and vote against the motion. Often, I am the sole dissenter in 19-1 votes.

Nonetheless, our committee divided into sub-committees to tackle the twenty retained bills. One of the bills assigned to my subcommittee was HB 623, an act establishing a teacher candidate loan forgiveness program.

HB 623 was particularly menacing due to its compiled amendments. For example, after failing to gain sufficient support, the bill’s sponsor proposed to strike ‘loan forgiveness’ from the title. Instead, HB 623 would have established an “educator incentive program.” Like Shakespeare said, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Frankly, the deceitful name change was an indicator that public perception was prioritized over quality legislation.

Fortunately, the sponsor was unable to gain enough votes for the passage of HB 623. Instead, the House Education Committee recommended that the bill be referred to Interim Study. In other words, assuming the House approves the Consent Calendar, a vote on HB 623 will be delayed even further. Meanwhile, I suspect the sponsor will continue to scramble for votes. I will continue to oppose HB 623.

In addition, loan forgiveness is the topic of national debates. Notably, the Biden Administration announced plans to cancel approximately $430 billion in student loans. Last June, the Supreme Court ruled against the executive action citing violation of the HEROES Act of 2003. For reference, the case is Biden v. Nebraska, et al.

Rather than remedy amassing student debt, we should address the root of the issue— the cost of college.

New Hampshire has among the highest in-state tuition costs in the country, second only to Vermont. The in-state tuition cost is even higher than many out-of-state tuition costs in the northeast. In other words, it can be more cost-effective for New Hampshire students to travel elsewhere for higher education. Unfortunately, many of these students do not return contributing to New Hampshire’s workforce shortage and aging population.

Still, an even greater disservice is done to students within New Hampshire’s University System. After agreeing to pay the comparatively higher in-state tuition, students then agree to take out federal loans. As a result, students enter a contractual agreement to pay them back. However, many are not able to, so are shackled by debt. As a solution, House Democrats support severing contracts entirely. This ‘solution’ is not fair to thousands of New Hampshire taxpayers who did not take out student loans. Moreover, this would be unfair to taxpayers who already struggled to pay off student debt. Would they be entitled to retroactive reimbursement? Furthermore, what contracts would we allow to be broken next?

These unanswered questions make a clear case against erasing student debt. Yet, an even greater objection is that loan forgiveness incentivizes tuition increases. Passing legislation to forgive student loans would send a powerful message to universities. No matter the source of the funds, whether it be the borrower or the taxpayers, the university would cash the check. In other words, universities could raise tuition prices without recourse. Hence, student debt would increase and the problem would be compounded.

The universities are aware of the debt-crisis which is why the University of New Hampshire froze tuition. In the 2024-2025 school year, tuition will not increase for the sixth year in a row. Others may be impressed by this, but I am not. Freezing in-state tuition at a price far higher than neighboring universities is nothing to brag about. Moreover, UNH’s total endowment equated to $265.7 million as of June 2022. Surely, UNH can afford to decrease tuition.

In addition to the high costs, there have been mounting concerns that students are limited in exercising their right to free speech on campus. HB 516 aimed to address this issue, but died on the table. However, I am a co-sponsor of HB 1305, which will re-examine campus free speech.

All things considered, I did not apply to the University of New Hampshire. Instead, I opted to complete my Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science online at Southern New Hampshire University. By avoiding room & board fees, working part-time, earning merit scholarships, and participating in dual enrollment; I will graduate debt-free and in half the time. I am in the SNHU Class of ‘24.

My goal in sharing my story is to help any prospective students who may be reading this. Please know that there are more affordable education options. Also, you do not need to attend college. We need to recognize alternatives such as entering the workforce or the military.

Thank you. Please do not hesitate to reach out via email: Valerie.McDonnell@leg.state.nh.us

July 9, 2023

As a State Representative (and in my personal capacity) I have advocated for civic literacy. Teaching government processes prepares students to become active citizens. Informed young adults are more likely to participate in ways such as registering to vote, petitioning for legislation, and even running for office.

Senate Bill 216, also referred to as the “More Time on Civics” bill, would increase the amount of classroom time dedicated to teaching about government. Topics would include American History, legislative studies, and much more. Due to the efforts of many key stakeholders, SB 216 is expected to be signed into law in the coming weeks.

The foundational document most critical to understanding American government is the Constitution of the United States of America. To further increase civic literacy, I have created educational resources that explain the Constitution in easy-to-understand language. Those are available under the ‘Learn’ section of this website. Pocket Constitutions are available there too. In addition, I have created a series of YouTube videos outlining the seven Articles of the Constitution. Something Valuable by Valerie McDonnell is linked below.

June 8, 2023

Today the House voted to pass SB 213. I delivered the floor speech in opposition to warn of the dangers of social media in education.

“My professional social media accounts, have had not one, not two, but three false suspensions an within the past few weeks have been impersonated twice. This means someone is pretending to be me.”

May 26, 2023

Last week the House voted to Indefinitely Postpone SB272. The bill generated significant public attention and media coverage. In this video, I documented the attempt to pass a Parent Bill of Rights in New Hampshire, a critical swing state. Showcased are both concerned parents and members of the LGBTQIAA+ community. The first-hand account of the deliberations provides a behind-the-scenes glance into New Hampshire politics.

May 1, 2023

This session, I have learned a lot from my colleagues about the inner-workings of state government. However, I have learned even more from the people of New Hampshire. Through my position as a State Representative on the Education Committee, I have received thousands of emails pertaining to bills. Two education bills garnered so much citizen input that the public hearings were moved to Representatives Hall to accommodate more people.

HB 61 continued the ongoing discussion of race in the classroom. The bill aimed to repeal the ‘divisive concepts’ ban that was placed into law last session. After a tied 10-10 party-line vote in committee, the House tabled HB 61. Therefore, last session’s ban is still in law.

SB 272 (nearly identical to HB 10) would establish a Parent Bill of Rights. The bill resulted from the outcry of parents who felt dismissed by local school boards. In committee, SB 272 was a tied 10-10 party line vote. The House will act on SB 272 in the coming weeks.

I will continue to fight for Salem. Please reach out anytime at Valerie.McDonnell@leg.state.nh.us

January 31, 2023

I ended last month by sharing my committee assignment, which is Education. Learning about related processes was my focus in January. To guide this, the NH Department of Education (NH DOE) provided an immersive orientation held at Granite State College. The experience served as an introduction to the multi-faceted topics the committee will make decisions on. Building/renovation aid, federal relief grants, adequacy determination, and special education funding were some of the topics covered. The NH DOE staff were highly knowledgeable and provided valuable resources to the committee.

Following orientation, the Education Committee’s efforts shifted to Public Hearings. In January, the House Education Committee heard forty-eight out of the ninety-one total bills assigned to Education. No other committee has as many bills. Of the forty-eight, the committee voted on nine during executive sessions: five were Ought to Pass (OTP), three were Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), and one was retained.

Due to statute RSA 91-A, all meetings of public bodies must be open to the public. Therefore, every bill is heard in front of at least one committee and anyone is welcome to attend or testify. A complete list of scheduled hearings is published weekly by the House Clerk’s office and made available on the NH General Court website. I appreciate the efforts of all who have taken part so far and hope to see even more citizen participation in the future. 

Sessions can also be viewed by the public. At the Convening Day session, the House voted on rules for the term. Among the rules were proposals relating to firearms and proxy voting. The Republican majority ruled the day with steadfast defense of gun rights and opposition to voting via a substitute. On the following day, the House met in joint-session with the Senate. Hence, members of both legislative bodies were present for Governor Christopher Sununu’s fourth-term inauguration. Following his oath of office, Sununu swore in the Executive Council, which is unique to the Granite State. Notably, all five Councilors were incumbents. 

Throughout January, I learned and legislated simultaneously. Advocating for the people of Salem and the betterment of New Hampshire will continue to be my course of action.

December 31, 2022

December was filled with incredible experiences. To open the month, The State House hosted a New Legislator Orientation. In addition to being greeted by experienced legislators, I mingled with newcomers. Districts range from The Canadian border to the Massachusetts border, so the legislature reflects unique New Hampshire varieties. Also, the Orientation provided an opportunity to learn about the different campaign strategies and structural differences to elections across the state. 

The most exciting part of December was Organization Day. In accordance with tradition, I, as the youngest representative, began the procession with The Pledge of Allegiance. Later the Governor and Executive Council swore in all legislators. We took our oaths of office and got straight to business. The day’s events included voting for House Speaker, House Clerk, State Treasurer, and Secretary of State. The nominating procedures for each position were underway when, to the shock of many of my colleagues, I was called to speak at the well. The chamber fell silent as I delivered a speech to second the nomination of David Scanlan for Secretary of State. His election was particularly remarkable because he garnered bipartisan support to win by a sizeable margin. I remain confident in his and the other state leaders’ abilities as we embark on a term with many more lengthy sessions to come.   

To round out the month, House Committee and seating assignments were released. I will be serving on the Education Committee. My principal aims will be in regard to Education Freedom Accounts (EFA), civics courses, and Career and Technical Education (CTE). I am eager to learn from experienced legislators as December turns into January to begin the new year—a year of possibilities.