New Hampshire
New Hampshire Republicans want to raise taxes on homes with solar
New Hampshire Republicans are attempting to do away with a 50-year-old property tax exemption for households and businesses with solar, contending that the policy forces residents without the clean energy systems to unwittingly subsidize those who have them. Supporters of the exemption, however, say this argument is misleading, insulting, and at odds with New Hampshire’s tradition of letting communities shape their own local governments.
The focus of the debate is a bill proposed in the New Hampshire House this month by Republican Rep. Len Turcotte and several co-sponsors in his party. The measure would repeal a law, established in 1975, that authorizes cities and towns to exempt owners of solar-equipped buildings from paying taxes on whatever value their solar systems add to their property. As of 2024, 153 of the state’s municipalities – roughly two-thirds – had adopted the exemption, one of the only incentives offered in support of residential solar power in the state.
The exemption means that homeowners without solar must pay more property tax to make up for the money not being collected from the “extreme minority” who have solar panels, Turcotte said while presenting his legislation at a hearing of the House Science, Technology, and Energy Committee last week. This “redistribution” of the tax burden is unfair, he said.
The solar property tax exemption is a fairly common policy: Nationally, 36 states offer some version of it. While legislators in many states have targeted pro-solar policies like net metering, property tax exemptions have so far avoided similar attacks. New Hampshire, therefore, could end up as a proving ground for whether this approach can find traction.
New Hampshire does not have a sales tax or an income tax and leans heavily on local property taxes for revenue; its rates are among the highest in the country. That makes changes to property tax policy a particularly sensitive subject. The solar exemption bill has Republicans, who are typically tax averse, walking a fine line between championing what they say is fairness for all and pushing a policy that will inevitably raise taxes for some.
The state authorizes 15 other property tax exemptions — including for elderly residents, veterans, and those with disabilities — but Turcotte’s bill targets only the one for solar.
The exemption is a “local option” policy, meaning cities and towns must opt in through a vote in each municipality. Turcotte, however, doubts the average resident realized that they were signing up to pay more on their own taxes.
“They see a feel-good measure,” he said. “Do they truly understand? I don’t believe they do.”
After Turcotte presented his bill, the remaining speakers — about a dozen clean energy advocates, lawmakers, business leaders, and local solar owners — uniformly opposed his proposal.
Removing the exemption would be an unfair rule change after homeowners invested in solar systems with the understanding they’d be getting a tax break, many argued. Businesses using solar could face a “significant tax increase,” said Natch Greyes, vice president of public policy at New Hampshire’s Business and Industry Association. The change could cost homeowners with solar hundreds of dollars per year while barely reducing the property tax rate for everyone else, others said.
Following the arrest of more than 50 people after a “takeover” at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire during the hot weather on Tuesday, the police chief tells WBZ-TV his department is seeking to charge those who organized the event.
Flyers posted on various social media sites advertised a “Hampton Beach Takeover.” The result was that on Tuesday, thousands of kids, many of them high school seniors skipping school, congregated at Hampton Beach.
When the skies opened and it started rain around 4:30, the group of teens ran onto Ocean Boulevard, where police say that fights broke out. Fifty people were arrested for charges, including alcohol possession and disorderly conduct.
Beach takeovers like this are not uncommon. WBZ-TV has covered several similar situations on Revere Beach in Massachusetts.
Local Hampton business owner Kristen Statires said this has become an annual issue, happening on the first hot weather day of every season since the pandemic.
“And the police know about it, we know about it, so we were expecting it. Like we knew it was going to happen,” she said.
When the kids ran into the street, she closed her shop doors and shut down for the day.
In a phone call with WBZ, Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno said his department already knows the two groups of people behind organizing the beach takeover, and plans to file the appropriate charges.
“It would be an aggressive move on the police’s part, but it would certainly send a message,” said WBZ legal analyst Jennifer Roman.
Reno said his department was continuing to gather evidence and is working with law-enforcement partners across New England and even at the federal level to determine the appropriate charges before issuing arrest warrants. The hope is that charging the organizers creates a deterrent for any future similar behavior.
New Hampshire
Nashua Man Had Baggies Of Cocaine, Fentanyl, And Meth Inside Coalition Apartment Building, Concord Cops Say
CONCORD, NH — The fifth person arrested during a drug raid at the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness apartment building downtown is due back in court for a probable cause hearing next month.
Wilkie Gabriel Reyes Reynoso, 27, of Kendrick Street in Nashua, was arrested on May 14 on three felony counts of possession of a controlled drug.
On May 13, just before midnight, police executed a search warrant at an apartment in the Coalition’s new building on South State Street. The warrant was for the apartment and anyone located inside, according to an affidavit.
Also Read
Earlier in the evening, Denise Davenport, 57, who listed the address as her residence despite being trespassed from all Concord Coalition properties, was picked up on an electronic bench warrant as well as two felony counts of acts prohibited-sale of controlled drugs.
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department and Concord District Court and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Officers arrived at the apartment and detained multiple people.
Reyes Reynoso was accused of possessing a baggie of fentanyl, a baggie of methamphetamine, and two baggies of cocaine. He also had a cell phone vape, a cell phone, and $295 in cash, the affidavit said. Reyes Reynoso was processed and held on preventative detention.
Crystal Marquis Credit: Concord Police Department
Crystal Marquis, 46, of Concord, on a resisting arrest or detention charge.
Brittany Price Credit: Concord Police Department
Brittany Price, 29, of Concord, on a Merrimack County Sheriff’s Department warrant on a theft by unauthorized taking charge, as well as warrants from the Hooksett police, Brentwood District Court, and two Franklin District Court warrants. Another man, in his late 40s, was detained but has not been charged, according to police documents. According to the affidavit, “(he) was searched and nothing was located on his person.”
Reyes Reynoso was deemed “indigent” by Judge Ryan Guptill and given a public defender. He was released on personal recognizance after being arraigned on May 14 and is due back in Concord District Court for a probable cause hearing on June 8.
New Hampshire
Stabbing Victim Dies, Man Faces Murder Charge | Riot At The Beach, Dozens Arrested | More: PM Patch NH
Community Corner
Also: Massive brush fire goes to 4 alarms; small businesses raise concerns about labor shortage; Planet Fitness bathroom policy under fire.
CONCORD, NH — Here are some share-worthy stories from the New Hampshire Patch network to discuss this afternoon and evening.
This post features stories and information published during the past 24 hours.
Ayotte Kicks Off New Hampshire’s Summer Travel And Tourism Season With Ice Cream And Apple Crisp: Video: Officials say New Hampshire’s Original Ice Cream Trail offers 69 “must-visit” shops in every part of the Granite State this summer.
Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Manchester Man Accused Of Stabbing Another Man Outside Queen City Gas Station: Antonio Cajigas was charged with one count of second-degree murder for causing the death of Christopher Marcoux by stabbing him on Monday.
Hampton Beach Sees 51 Arrests After Fights Prompt Unlawful Assembly Declaration: Police said 127 calls for service were logged, and charges include riot, assault, driving under the influence, and disorderly conduct.
Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Concord, Other Firefighters Extinguish Massive Brush Fire Near Webster Town Line: Video: With some help from the National Guard, firefighters and forestry units found several fires near power lines off Blackwater Road Wednesday.
Concord Planet Fitness Bathroom Controversy Puts Statehouse Bill Battle In Spotlight: When Judy Walcott raised concerns about a man in the women’s bathroom, PF canceled her membership, charged an extra month, and called cops.
Help Wanted: NH Small Businesses Say Labor Shortage Still Top Concern: The National Federation of Independent Business says finding qualified workers and dealing with the impacts of inflation are big concerns.
Milford Trout Fishing Derby At Ryefield Farm Offers Free Entry, Food, Prizes: Former WWE Superstar Ted Arcidi is hosting a free trout fishing derby in Milford with stocked fishing and tagged trout prizes.
Concord Artist Saad Hindal Chosen To Design 52nd Annual Market Days Festival Poster: The new poster contest invited Concord Arts Market artists to create a design reflecting Market Days and Concord.
Teacher Of The Year Down To 3 | Indictments | Cheapest Gas For Memorial Day Weekend | More: PM Patch NH: Executive councilor makes right-to-know request concerning murder-suicide case; Granite State Challenge finals; neo-Nazi trial delayed.
Cheap Gas, Part 2
Here are some more posts about where to find cheap gas in your community.
Here are some other posts readers may have missed:
If You’re Stressed About Money, Here Are 6 Things Experts Say You Should Do
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