New Hampshire
NH Chief Justice announces hiring freeze, warns of layoffs across branch if budget passes
New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald is implementing a hiring freeze and warning of potential layoffs across the judicial branch, as the legislature looks to make deep cuts to the budget.
The New Hampshire House is slated to vote Thursday on a proposed two-year budget that would slash the judiciary’s funding by nearly 8% from current levels.
In an email sent to judges and court staff on Wednesday, MacDonald warned of a challenging fiscal environment.
“We have strongly advocated with the legislature to maintain our current staffing levels, and will continue to do so,” MacDonald said. “However, given the current circumstances, this is something we unfortunately can no longer guarantee.”
The branch employs more than 800 people, including judges, court staff and other officials, with approximately 75% of its spending on personnel.
MacDonald had proposed a $116 million annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which would have reduced spending by more than $4 million from current levels, but Republicans in the House are proposing deeper cuts.
MacDonald previously told lawmakers during budget hearings that deep spending cuts from the state’s general fund could result in the closure of some courthouses, including in Claremont and Candia, and potentially eliminating jury trials during certain months of the year. Gov. Kelly Ayotte, the state’s former attorney general, has pushed back against MacDonald’s proposed cost saving measures, and instead is advocating that he look to reduce other administrative expenses.
The New Hampshire Senate could restore some or all of the judiciary’s funding when its budget writers get to work next week.
In addition to the hiring freeze, MacDonald said he would soon launch an efficiency task force that would accept recommendations from across the judiciary for ways to cut spending and streamline procedures. MacDonald said he was also seeking assistance from the National Center for State Courts on how the state could reduce its costs.
New Hampshire
Photo Exhibit | Art Talk | Crew Competition | Nashua Genealogy Club | More: Week Ahead Events
NASHUA, NH — Here is the week ahead roundup.
Get out, New Hampshire.
Event listings are free on one Patch site. You can share your calendar info on other community sites for a modest fee, starting at 25 cents per day. To get started, visit the Events link on the front page of all Patch sites. Statewide calendar roundups are published on most Sundays and Wednesdays. Visit any of the 223 New Hampshire Patch Event sites (patch.com/map/new-hampshire) for updated listings.
Join us for a community conversation exploring how land conservation supports thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and local economies. Recent research from Maine highlights the growing economic value of conserved lands — from supporting recreation, forestry, agriculture, and tourism to protecting clean water, storing carbon, and strengthening climate resilience. The findings reveal something important: protecting natural landscapes is not only good for the environment, but also for the people and communities that depend on them.
Together, we’ll explore what this research means both regionally and here at home. How do conserved lands shape our quality of life, local economy, and sense of place? How can communities balance growth, conservation, and long-term sustainability? And what role can each of us play in protecting the landscapes that support both nature and people?
At each “Let’s Talk Nature” gathering, we share a short article in advance and come together for an informal, welcoming discussion. Each session stands on its own, and everyone is welcome. No expertise needed. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to listen and share. Drinks and cookies provided.
Read this session’s article: Conserved Land in Maine has Growing Economic Power
Grey Rocks Conservation Center
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM on Wed, 1 Jul 2026
Event Supported By
Newfound Lake Region Association
603-744-8689
info@NewfoundLake.org
High winds and widespread rain contributed to more than 12,000 power outages Saturday as a low pressure system passes over New Hampshire.
A high wind advisory remains in effect for southeastern New Hampshire until midday.
There is a high surf advisory in effect for the Seacoast area until 8 p.m. Saturday, with large-breaking waves in the range of 6-9 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast warns of dangerous wintry winds for hikers and campers, with heavy wet snow likely at higher elevations and a foot of snow possible on summits in the White Mountains.
In southeastern New Hampshire, the wind advisory calls for steady winds of 15-25 mph, and potential wind gusts up to 50 mph.
Eversource reported over 10,000 outages as of 9:30 a.m. Unitil had about 1,400 outages at that time.
The Mount Washington Observatory has recorded winterlike weather over the past 24 hours. Weather observers there say over half a foot of snow and sleet has fallen at the summit.
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