“This is an opportunity to cut your damn property taxes.” — Rep. Thomas Oppel, a Canaan Democrat, via New Hampshire Bulletin.

I have an announcement.

I launched a new video series, 603 Unfiltered, where I break down the New Hampshire stories you’d share with a friend over coffee—the ones that make you stop and say, “Wait … did that really happen?”

I want to make local news feel personal, relatable, and a little fun. Every week, I’ll grab my coffee, take a walk, and break down what’s happening here in a way that actually makes sense to me—and hopefully to you, too.

I hope you’ll follow along.

Here are a few recent 603 Unfiltered breakdowns:

 Here’s what else I’m covering today:

📰 What we’re reading, news from around the state

📢 We asked, you answered: How are you evaluating Trump?

🔍 Question of the week: What matters more to you: no income tax or lower property taxes?

💬 Attend a live chat with Hank Green, Mary Trump, and more

🗳️ Town Meeting Day is March 10. Here’s what you need to know

👉 The New Hampshire National Guard has been activated in Iran. Officials aren’t saying much beyond that, citing operational security. WMUR

👉 Meanwhile, nearly 300 state-owned dams, many over 100 years old, need about $414 million in repairs. One proposal would charge waterfront property owners up to $100 a year to help pay for it. Lawmakers are split on who should foot the bill. New Hampshire Bulletin

👉 On the nutrition front, SNAP users might have to skip the candy and soda. An NH House committee recommended a bill banning sugary treats from food stamps. The plan would cost about $2.6 million to implement in FY29 and fund outreach to promote healthy choices. Supporters say it’s a public health move; critics call it expensive and unfair. InDepthNH

Meanwhile … sugar is under fire.

👉 RFK Jr. is coming for Dunkin’. At a rally in Austin, he said, “We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, ‘Show us the safety data that show that it’s OK for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it.’” He wants to close the FDA’s “GRAS” loophole on food additives.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey fired back with a “Come and Take It” post on X, a nod to the 1835 Texas Revolution flag, but instead of a cannon, it featured a Dunkin’ cup. The Hill

In Concord… things are escalating over taxes.

👉 A group called “Cut Our Property Taxes” unveiled a plan to place a 3% income tax and a statewide property tax aimed at raising up to $1–2 billion for education, and lowering local property taxes. Supporters say most middle-income families would see relief. New Hampshire Bulletin

Both Republicans and top Democrats quickly denounced it. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte said, “No income tax, no sales tax. Not now, not ever.”

👉 Then it turned uglier. The Libertarian Party NH posted (then deleted) on X that it would be fine to kill Andru Volinsky for introducing the tax. This follows an earlier post on X that read it’s “morally legitimate to kill any politician” who introduces income tax. The proposal isn’t a bill yet, but the debate is very real. InDepthNH

This week, we asked readers: How are you evaluating Trump?

Here’s what they had to say…

“I would say the issue that matters to me the most in evaluating Trump is conducting yourself as a decent human being with integrity. He fails miserably.” — Jane Duggan

“Even if Donald Trump was still only a television host, he’d be a failure. As president, he drags the country down with him. Ask any MAGA how their lives have improved this last year. Not one can cite a credible reason—only repeating lies and conspiracies. Donald Trump will go down as the biggest black mark that this country has ever seen.” – Mike Gravel 

“Trump is a deeply flawed individual who is supported and directed by his advisors and donors. He did not develop Project 2025. The people who did were able to present Trump with an irresistible buffet of flattery, promises of greater wealth, and a glorious place in history. Every single Republican politician that has gone along with the playbook, the fawning, the egregious dismissal of laws and decency, is culpable. The Trump team may well try to meddle with voting outcomes, but I think these midterms will mean a big loss of seats for them.” — Tracy McCarthy 

“From a military standpoint, he has put people in charge who do not seem to know what they are doing or how to accomplish the end goal. To me, the Constitution is the most important thing, and its laws should be followed. As for the Epstein files, I believe he is doing whatever he can to cover up what is in those files and fears what E. Jean Carroll may say. As far as what I continue to see happening, I believe it is wrong, and we should treat people better, because we were all immigrants at one time or another.” — Charles Wetzel

“My personal belief is that these events are all connected. When the focus becomes predominantly the Epstein files, something else happens, such as the strikes on Iran. After the Clintons testify, the SAVE Act fails, Republicans call for the release of the Epstein files, and the tariff debacle and several other issues unfold, Trump bombs Iran, reportedly killing over 100 schoolchildren, failing to notify Congress, and leaving many American citizens extremely vulnerable by not ensuring their safe return to the United States. This administration overwhelmingly represents a chaotic three-ring circus, and citizens are caught in the middle. If the Epstein files are finally released, as they are legally obligated to do, it is my belief that we will have answers that allow us to proceed in the proper direction, restoring civil liberties and justice.” — Maggie

“All of the above, plus the fact that he’s going to try to hijack the election by claiming all sorts of conspiracy theories.” — David Masters

“It looks to me like Trump is single-handedly trying to end life on Earth — attacking environmental laws, dismantling agencies, and abandoning international agreements; undermining institutions like USAID in ways that appear indifferent to the suffering of tens of thousands of people; withdrawing from the World Health Organization and weakening the NIH and CDC in ways that could make the US more vulnerable to future pandemics. He has attacked Venezuela and Iran without Congressional approval and engaged in lethal actions against their people — including civilians — while failing to follow the constitutional process for war powers.

Through lawless ICE actions, the administration has detained and deported many immigrants who have not been charged with or convicted of a crime, according to available data showing a significant share of those arrested have no criminal record beyond civil immigration violations. Documentation for legal status is costly and can take years to acquire. Instead of making that process easier, the administration seems focused on exclusionary immigration enforcement — policies that many critics characterize as rooted in nativist and racially biased motivations, indifferent to the harm caused to families and to businesses losing workers. I assume he’s a major character in the Epstein files, but since when has he faced accountability for his many alleged crimes — including sexual assault allegations from multiple individuals, inciting violence on Jan. 6, discriminatory housing practices in the 1970s, and repeated falsehoods throughout his life? He has escaped consequences for a long history of abuse, theft, lying, and cheating. Why should that record of evasion stop now? Reagan was known as the ‘Teflon president’; Trump is like PFAS — a forever chemical slowly harming all of us.” — A.M. Cummings

“The issue I have with Trump can be summed up in one word: character. He has none. That drives everything else.” — J. Green

“His blatant lies, disregard for the law and disregard for science are the most troubling to me.” — Carol Staugaard

“The elimination of Ali Khamenei was not necessarily a bad thing for the Iranian people. However, removing a leader is easy; it is far more difficult to rebuild a democratic and favorable leadership afterward — and I don’t see the Trump administration taking any steps to do so. A power vacuum is a dangerous thing. Like every other aspect of his “leadership,” Trump has been abjectly apathetic toward the potential loss of American lives in this conflict. Not to mention, he completely circumvented Congress in making this decision. In my opinion, he acted without forethought about how to help the people of Iran or the country afterward. And, as with nearly everything else he has done, Trump’s motives in this conflict appear rooted in selfish purposes: pacifying Israel, drawing attention away from the Epstein files, maintaining control over fuel — whatever they may be. Nothing he has done has ever benefited the country unless it also aligned with his personal agenda. The hypocrisy of boasting about removing a “bad leader” while simultaneously considering ways to ignore the Constitution and stay in power beyond his term — despite over 60% of the country calling for his removal — is beyond belief.” — Denise C.

“The thing that bothers me most about Trump is that his mental illness leads to complete disregard for the Constitution and any law limiting his power. It also makes him vulnerable to manipulation by unscrupulous powers.” — JoAnn Carlson 

As mentioned above, a group recently proposed a new income tax plan in New Hampshire called the 3-3 Tax Savings Plan. The idea: implement a 3% education income tax alongside a 3% statewide property tax to lower local property taxes.

The reaction? Swift and loud.

Curious how it could affect you? Try this tool to estimate your potential savings.

So this week’s question is…

 What matters more to you: no income tax or lower property taxes?

On behalf of our parent company COURIER, check out this March 12 virtual event:

Big national decisions can have real impacts close to home—especially when it comes to health care.

COURIER is hosting a live virtual event, MAHA & the Midterms, to help break down how recent political choices are shaping health care access, affordability, and what families should know moving forward.

The conversation features author Hank Green, psychologist Dr. Mary Trump, US Rep. Lauren Underwood (a registered nurse), Shaughnessy Naughton of 314 Action, and medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta.

Join us for an informative discussion designed to help you better understand the issues—no policy background required.

👉 Save your spot here.

New Hampshire’s Town Meeting Day will take place in town halls across the state. (Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock)

By Sam Cohen

Town Meeting Day is coming up Tuesday, March 10 for most towns. Though, some areas hold theirs on the second Tuesday in April or the second Tuesday in May.

If you don’t know, it’s a centuries‑old New Hampshire tradition where communities gather to run local government—think budgets, town business, and electing local leaders. The idea originated in Dorchester, Massachusetts, during the 1630s. Back then, men attended meetings to vote on the best way to distribute land and set boundaries between farms. New Hampshire adopted the practice shortly after, choosing to hold the designated meeting day in March ahead of sowing season.

Granite Staters attending these initial gatherings ate town meeting cake, settled disputes, and worked with moderators to make sure everything was settled squarely by the day’s end. Some of these aspects have changed over the years, though baking sweet treats for the big day—like this election cake—is still a well-practiced custom.

Here are some quick things to know about for this year:

Need a survival kit for Town Meeting Day? From hydration tips to what to bring (yes, even knitting), visit New Hampshire Public Radio.

Not sure how to vote or how to register? Get step-by-step instructions here.

What’s happening in your town? Find your sample ballot and preview what you’ll see before you head in.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from Sam Cohen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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