New Hampshire
New report reveals steep drop in civic engagement in N.H. – The Boston Globe
With a major election just around the corner, researchers with the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire have released an updated status report on how signs of civic health in New Hampshire have shifted over the past four years.
Quixada Moore-Vissing, a UNH faculty fellow, said the research team decided to follow up on the work they published in 2020, after seeing several major events — including the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and nationwide demonstrations for racial justice, the presidential election, and the attack on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 — that could significantly influence the way people see themselves and their political context.
“We thought to ourselves, ‘Wow, we really need to figure out what’s going on with civic health more immediately than waiting a few more years, as we usually do,’ because there have been so many things that could affect how we’re interacting across civic engagement in New Hampshire,” Moore-Vissing said during a Q&A session.
Their hastened research, which was released Oct. 7, found a harrowing drop: The percentage of Granite Staters who reported feeling they matter to their communities fell 33 percentage points in just four years, from 76 percent in 2019 to 43 percent in 2023.
The numbers suggest the declines were particularly dramatic among those aged 50-64 and those who live in the North Country, though more research is needed to understand the trends on a granular level, Moore-Vissing said.
There were other signs that people are connecting less with those around them.
The percentage of Granite Staters who reported frequently hearing from or spending time with family or friends slipped 4 percentage points, from 85 percent in 2019 to 81 percent in 2021.
Meanwhile, the percentage of those who frequently do favors for neighbors fell from 11 percent to 5 percent, who worked with neighbors to do something positive for a neighborhood or community dipped from 27 percent to 21 percent, and who attended a public meeting fell from 19 percent to 12 percent.
“I think the question here is, ‘Is this decline in social connectivity temporary due to the pandemic?’ We certainly hope so,” Moore-Vissing said. “But this could also be connected to some bigger-picture issues.”
Perhaps political divisiveness at the national level is trickling down into local communities, or perhaps the rise and durability of remote work is a factor, she said.
“The fact is we really don’t know what’s behind these declines … we want to keep an eye on this,” she added.
As many residents confront concerns over the affordability of housing, child care, and health care, the researchers noted that economic factors can influence civic health.
“Those disproportionately affected from high-burden costs may have difficulty prioritizing other needs and may be less inclined to participate in public life,” Michele Holt-Shannon, director and co-founder of New Hampshire Listens, said in a statement.
“But as the state’s population continues to grow, so can people’s ability to connect and feel like they belong,” Holt-Shannon said. “When residents feel they belong, they’re more likely to feel included in their community, express their thoughts and opinions, and feel able to influence decisions.”
The full reports from 2024 and 2020 are available online, as is a guide for nurturing civic health at the local level.
A version of this story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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