In this episode of DecisionMakers, host Patrick Hynes talks with Rep. Ross Berry, who represents Hillsborough 44 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Rep. Berry is a member of the House Election Law Committee. He and his colleagues are considering legislation to move New Hampshire state primary from September to earlier in the summer.

Hynes and Berry also talk about redistricting. Rep. Berry was recently assigned to the special House Committee charged with redrawing the state's legislative districts for the next ten years.

In this episode, host Patrick Hynes discusses education freedom accounts with Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R-Tuftonboro). Cordelli is a prime sponsor of HB20, a measure “establishing the Richard ‘Dick’ Hinch Education Freedom Account Program.”

EPISODE NOTES

Bedford High School has issued twice the number of failing grades this year compared to last year.

According to data from the Manchester School District, 42% of kids are failing at least one class. Thirty percent have 5 or more absences.

To compound matters, the data show minority kids are struggling disproportionately.

Education freedom accounts will allow Granite State families to access state funds to establish savings accounts and use the money to help parents find the best education options available for their children.

Learn more here: https://educationfreedomnh.org/

Read Hynes’s column, “Covid exposes desperate need for education freedom accounts” in the New Hampshire Union Leader.

In this special bonus episode, host Patrick Hynes dives deeper into the issues and dynamics he first addressed in his most recent column in the New Hampshire Union Leader titled, "The twin threats to the NH Advantage."

The passing of House Speaker Dick Hinch of COVID-19 and divisions within the GOP House caucus present new dangers to the NH Advantage. Republicans must establish strong, commonsense leadership to endure the coming onslaught of tax increase proposals and big government threats.

Host Patrick Hynes talks to Dr. Andrew Smith of the UNH Survey Center about the 2020 election, what's ahead in 2021, Sen. Maggie Hassan's reelection prospects, Gov. Chris Sununu's mask mandate, and what's wrong with the polling industry.