New Hampshire
Fil-Am legislator told to 'go home' to PH after Independence Day speech
New Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay | Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook
NEW YORK — New Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay, a Filipino American immigrant and Democrat from Dover, delivered a powerful speech on the House floor this week after a Republican colleague questioned her right to serve in the legislature following her commemoration of Philippine Independence Day.
Bay, who represents Strafford County District 21, recounted the incident in remarks that have since gone viral on social media.
“A week ago, I spoke at this very podium about the Independence Day celebration of my home country, the Philippines,” Bay said.
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“Shortly after my speech, I was asked how someone who calls the Philippines my home country is allowed to serve in this House. I want to respond, not just for myself, but for the thousands of immigrants, new Americans and children of immigrants who contribute every day to the strength of this state and this country,” she sad in a video clip posted by the podcast “This Filipino American Life” on Instagram.
New Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay | Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook
“Let me say it clearly: I am here because I belong here.”
Bay emphasized her legitimacy as an elected official and her pride in her heritage.
“My constituents in Strafford County District 21 elected me under the same laws, with the same legitimacy, as anyone in this room,” Bay said. “My birthplace does not make me less American. My accent does not disqualify me from public service. And my identity as [a] Filipino American does not make me aghast.”
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She reminded colleagues of the nation’s immigrant roots, stating, “Unless you are Indigenous to this land, unless your ancestors walked here before borders, before colonization, before the concept of immigration even existed, you too are descended from immigrants. Some of our families came centuries ago, others came fleeing war, poverty, persecution, or simply searching for the promise that America holds. My story is part of that American story. It is not the footnote. It is a verse in the song of this nation.”
Bay concluded her remarks with a declaration of belonging and resolve.
“To question my right to be here is to misunderstand what makes America what it is – a place where democracy is enriched by diversity, where freedom means the opportunity to serve, and where strength lies in our shared commitment to justice, not in the sameness of our origins. I represent my district with pride. I serve this state with integrity, and I stand in this chamber with the full rights and responsibilities that come with my being an American. This is my home. This is my country, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Fil-Am New Hampshire Rep. Luz Bay attends the APAICS 31st Gala last month in Washington, D.C. Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook
The New Hampshire House Democratic Caucus condemned the remark and voiced strong support for Bay.
In a statement reflecting the party’s platform, the caucus said, “New Hampshire Democrats believe in the rights of all people to thrive in all areas of their lives. Immigration is an opportunity for growth. We welcome immigrants from all countries and backgrounds. We support diversity, equity, and inclusion in all settings, and object to any attempts to undermine the participation of immigrants in our democracy”.
The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a national network of Filipino American leaders, also expressed support for Bay.
“We stand with Rep. Luz Bay and all Filipino Americans who serve their communities with integrity and pride. Incidents like these remind us of the ongoing challenges immigrants and minorities face, but also of the importance of representation and resilience in public service,” said FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao.
Luz Bay takes a selfie with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook
“FYLPRO remains committed to supporting leaders who bridge cultures and advance equity in government.”
Community advocates and local leaders echoed these sentiments, highlighting the challenges immigrant and minority lawmakers face and the need for representation. Bay’s speech quickly gained traction on social media, with many calling it a powerful statement against xenophobia.
Bay, who has served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives since December 2022, is a three-time cancer survivor and a veteran of 13 marathons.
She holds a Ph.D. in educational measurement and statistics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and has spent nearly three decades as a psychometrician, including leadership roles in national research organizations. Bay lives in Dover with her husband and two children.
Bay was re-elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Strafford 21, in the November 2024 general election. Her current term ends Dec. 2, 2026.
As of this writing, the New Hampshire Republican Party has not issued a formal statement regarding the incident. Several Republican lawmakers have privately expressed regret over the remark, according to local media reports.
Streets of Portsmouth after snow storm
The streets of Portsmouth are still in the process of being cleaned up, as seen the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, following a huge snow storm.
It may be March, but winter in New Hampshire is far from over. Just one week after a blizzard tore through the state with heavy snow and high winds, the state is getting another round of snowfall.
The state will get three to five inches during the evening and night of Tuesday, March 3, says the National Weather Service (NWS) of Gray, Maine. While the accumulation will not be significant, the snowfall may cause dangerous road conditions and a layer of ice on the ground in certain parts of the state.
Here’s what to know before tonight’s snow in New Hampshire, including snow totals and timing.
When will it snow in NH tonight?
According to the NWS, it will start snowing in New Hampshire during mid-afternoon or early evening and continue through the night. Specifically, snow will arrive to the southern part of the state around 2-3 p.m., spreading northwards through the rest of New Hampshire by 5 p.m.
Rain or freezing rain will mix in later this evening across southern New Hampshire, creating a wintry mix. All precipitation should move out of the state by midnight.
Due to the timing of today’s snowfall, the Tuesday evening commute will be affected, with the NWS warning to slow down and exercise caution while driving.
How much snow will NH get tonight?
New Hampshire will get one to four inches of snow tonight, with one to two inches in northern New Hampshire, two to three inches in southern New Hampshire and three to four inches in the center of the state, with the possibility for five inches in localized areas.
In the Seacoast specifically, Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton and York are expected to get between two to three inches of snow, while Dover, Exeter and Rochester may get up to four.
The wintry mix may also cause a light glaze of ice across southern New Hampshire.
NH weather watches and warnings
The NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for the state of New Hampshire, in effect from 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 through 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
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What employers are getting wrong, and how to fix it before it becomes a claim
New Hampshire’s employment law landscape heading into 2026 may not be dramatically different from last year, but the real risks lie in implementation missteps. From the initial setting of wages, to calculating and distributing wages, employers will likely find a specific statute and/or labor regulation governing the transaction. Failure to follow these detailed wage and hour laws can result in significant back wages and other penalties being imposed by the state or federal Department of Labor following an audit. Fortunately, however, this area of employment law is relatively easy to master, once you are familiar with the basics.
Notice compliance
One of the most common pitfalls for employers in New Hampshire is misunderstanding the wage and hour notice requirements under RSA 275 and the related New Hampshire Department of Labor Administrative Rules.
At the time of hire, employers must notify employees in writing of their rate of pay and the day and place of payment. This notice is traditionally delivered to employees by way of an offer letter or some sort of “New Hire Rate of Pay” form. (A sample form is available from the New Hampshire Department of Labor website.) What surprises most employers, however, is that Lab. 803.03(f)(6) also requires employers to request and obtain their employees’ signatures on this written notification of wages, and employers must keep a copy of the signed written notification of wages on file. Further, employers must notify employees in writing during the course of employment of any changes to wages or day of pay prior to such changes taking effect, and the employer must obtain the employee’s signature on this subsequent notification as well. (See RSA 275:49; Lab. 803.03.)
Employers are further required to notify employees in writing, or through a posted notice maintained in a place accessible to employees, of:
• employment practices and policies with regard to vacation pay, sick leave and other fringe benefits.
• deductions made from the employee’s payroll check, for each period such deductions are made.
• information regarding the deductions allowed from wage payments under state law. (RSA 275:49; Lab. 803.03.)
Policies regarding vacation and sick leave should inform employees whether or not the employer will “cash out” unused time at year end or at the end of employment, and if so, under what terms. Again, if any changes are made to vacation pay, sick leave and other fringe benefits during the course of employment (all of which are considered “wages” under New Hampshire law), employers must request and obtain their employees’ signatures on the written notification of the change, and must keep a copy of the signed form on file. (Lab. 803.03.) Importantly, notification by way of pay stub alone is not sufficient, and, these requirements apply to both increases and decreases in pay.
Two-hour minimum (reporting pay)
Another frequently overlooked obligation is New Hampshire’s two-hour minimum reporting pay requirement. Under RSA 275:43-a, non-exempt employees who report to work but are sent home early must generally be paid for at least two hours. Weather-related closures, client cancellations or operational slowdown days can trigger this rule. Employers should also note that the New Hampshire Department of Labor currently applies this law to remote-based employees. Consequently, employees who “report to work” at an employer’s request from a home office may likewise have a right to two hours of pay, depending on the circumstances.
Salaried vs. hourly employees
Misclassification of employees as exempt from overtime remains a significant source of compliance exposure. The position’s job duties — not the titles or label such as “salaried” — determine whether an employee qualifies for an overtime exemption.
Employers, particularly in nonprofits, health care and small businesses, unintentionally misapply exempt classifications to roles such as administrative staff, office managers, executive assistants, program coordinators or hybrid jobs that involve significant non-exempt tasks. Over time, as organizational needs evolve and employees take on broader responsibilities, job duties can drift outside of an exemption’s scope.
Best practice is to periodically review job descriptions and actual job duties to ensure continued compliance with exemption criteria, particularly following any significant restructuring or job redesigns.
Peg O’Brien is chair of McLane Middleton’s Employment Law Practice Group. She can be reached at margaret.o’brien@mclane.com.
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