Open Enrollment and Students with Disabilities with Dr. Louis Esposito

Open Enrollment and Students with Disabilities with Dr. Louis Esposito

What happens when “school choice” collides with disability rights, school funding, and supporting students with disabilities? Whose choice is it, actually? Liz talks with ABLE New Hampshire Executive Director Dr. Louis Esposito about special (supportive!) education, EFAs, open enrollment...which is perfectly timed after last week's committee of conference change-up. And to find out what the heck a "committee of conference" is, check out the new NH Has Issues Substack [https://nhhasissues.substack.com/p/what-the-heck-is-a-committee-of-conference]! ...the Substack won't only be about committees of conference, Liz promises. Become a monthly supporter of the podcast at Patreon! [https://www.patreon.com/nhhasissues] Links: * ABLE New Hampshire [https://ablenh.org/] * 2026 Disability Pride Parade and Festival [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-disability-pride-parade-and-festival-tickets-1988554948381] at the NH State House, July 18th * Bill Watch: HB 751 [https://www.reachinghighernh.org/content-item/550/bill-watch-hb-751] (Reaching Higher NH) * School Funding Fairness: A Look at Education Funding Inequity in New Hampshire [https://nhcje.org/blog/school-funding-fairness-a-look-at-education-funding-inequity-in-new-hampshire] (New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity) * School Funding and Special Education: It Continues to Get Worse [https://fairfundingnh.org/special-education-funding-2024/] (NH School Funding Fairness Project) * As New Hampshire education freedom accounts double, percentage of low-income recipients drops [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/12/03/as-new-hampshire-education-freedom-accounts-double-percentage-of-low-income-recipients-drops/] (NH Bulletin) * How Special Education Funding is Supported in the State Budget [https://nhfpi.org/blog/how-special-education-funding-is-supported-in-the-state-budget/] (New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute) * Annual Beginning of School Year Education Freedom Account Enrollment and Enrollment Change: 2022 to 2026 [https://www.education.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt326/files/inline-documents/sonh/efa-factsheet-november-2025.pdf] (NH Department of Education, Division of Analytics and Resources) * Special Education Data [https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-special-education-support/special-education-data] (NH Department of Education) * Republican lawmakers agree on school open enrollment bill, but governor has concerns [https://www.wmur.com/article/school-open-enrollment-bill-governor-52826/71435817] (WMUR) * The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman [https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/theliteratureofprescription/exhibitionAssets/digitalDocs/The-Yellow-Wall-Paper.pdf] Previous episodes referenced:  * The ABCs of EFAs (School Vouchers) with Christina Pretorius [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-abcs-of-efas-school-vouchers-with-christina-pretorius/id1811184811?i=1000713193127] * Disability Rights with Patricia Vincent-Piet [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disability-rights-with-patricia-vincent-piet/id1811184811?i=1000739234426] * Making School Funding Fair (and why it's not yet) with Zack Sheehan [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-school-funding-fair-and-why-its-not-yet-with/id1811184811?i=1000709088815] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] NEW: Subscribe to NH Has Issues Substack [https://nhhasissues.substack.com/] NEW: Get your NH Has Issues merch! [https://www.teepublic.com/user/nhhasissues]  New Hampshire Has Issues is generously sponsored by Seacoast Soils [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html], an organic compost and topsoil provider for New Hampshire, Maine, and Northeast Massachusetts. Visit their website at www.seacoastsoil.com [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html]! Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm [https://transistor.fm/?via=music]. Learn how to start a podcast [https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=music] here.

Animals, Cafeterias, Student Council (and Parenting) with Katie Adams...and Jack!

Liz hears from Jack, a local youth activist (spoiler alert: he's in elementary school!), about changes he wants to see in this world (and his cafeteria) and how you can help. He also has some advice for other kids who might see a problem they want to fix... Liz then talks with his mom, Katie, who recently testified at the New Hampshire State House for the first time. She also shares some #BoyMom advice to Liz. Want to send Jack a message? newhampshirehasissues@gmail.com Links: * Check out Jack's fun fact videos on Katie's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYefIw8S-1Q/]! * Donate to Jack's fundraiser (@KatieHAdams on Venmo)! * National Marine Mammal Foundation [https://nmmf.org/] * Public Gives Feedback on Bill to Limit School Curriculum [https://indepthnh.org/2026/03/17/public-gives-feedback-on-bill-to-limit-school-curriculum/] (InDepth NH) NEW: NH Has Issues Merch! [https://www.teepublic.com/user/nhhasissues] (teepublic...but not just t-shirts!) Become a monthly supporter of the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] (Patreon.com/NHHasIssues) Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] NEW: Subscribe to NH Has Issues Substack [https://nhhasissues.substack.com/] NEW: Get your NH Has Issues merch! [https://www.teepublic.com/user/nhhasissues]  New Hampshire Has Issues is generously sponsored by Seacoast Soils [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html], an organic compost and topsoil provider for New Hampshire, Maine, and Northeast Massachusetts. Visit their website at www.seacoastsoil.com [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html]! Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm [https://transistor.fm/?via=music]. Learn how to start a podcast [https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=music] here.

Planning for Affordable Housing with Kara Anne Rodenhizer and Ryann Wolf

What does a planning board actually do...and why does it matter for whether people can afford to live in a community? Liz talks with Kara and Ryann about how local decisions shape the housing crisis in New Hampshire, from zoning rules to who shows up (and who doesn’t) at public meetings. Topics include workforce housing, common misconceptions, and the real people being priced out of the communities they serve. If you’ve ever wondered why your local barista - or childcare worker - can’t afford to live nearby… well, this episode is for you. Become a monthly supporter of the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] Have an idea for an episode? Email Liz: newhampshirehasissues@gmail.com NEW: NH Has Issues Merch! [https://www.teepublic.com/user/nhhasissues] Links: * Home for All [https://homeforall-seacoast.org/] * Seacoast Affordable Housing Week [https://homeforall-seacoast.org/ahw2026] (May 11 - 16) * Previous episode of NH Has Issues with Nick Taylor [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-have-all-the-affordable-houses-gone-with-nick-taylor/id1811184811?i=1000710963981] * High Prices and Low Supply Continue to Impact Housing Affordability in New Hampshire [https://nhfpi.org/resource/high-prices-and-low-supply-continue-to-impact-housing-affordability-in-new-hampshire/] (NHFPI) Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] NEW: Subscribe to NH Has Issues Substack [https://nhhasissues.substack.com/] NEW: Get your NH Has Issues merch! [https://www.teepublic.com/user/nhhasissues]  New Hampshire Has Issues is generously sponsored by Seacoast Soils [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html], an organic compost and topsoil provider for New Hampshire, Maine, and Northeast Massachusetts. Visit their website at www.seacoastsoil.com [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html]! Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm [https://transistor.fm/?via=music]. Learn how to start a podcast [https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=music] here.

Who Should Run for Office (...you?) with Devan Quinn

Strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we identify at least three of them to run for office.  If you've ever thought about running for office...or, perhaps more likely, if you've ever assumed you're not qualified, this episode is for you.  Okay, to be honest, if you know a woman, this episode is for you. P.S. Happy 1-year anniversary to this little podcast! Half a biennium! Celebrate by becoming a monthly supporter on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email Liz: newhampshirehasissues@gmail.com Links: * Women Run! [https://nhwomensfoundation.org/women-run/] (New Hampshire Women's Foundation training session) * Upcoming training dates include: Thursday 5/21, Wednesday 5/27, and Thursday 6/4 -- all virtual! * New Hampshire Women's Foundation [https://nhwomensfoundation.org/] * Gender Matters [https://nhwomensfoundation.org/research/gender-matters/] * Keys to Elected Office: The Essential Guide for Women [https://barbaraleefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Keys-to-Elected-Office-25th-Anniversary-Edition.pdf](Barbara Lee Family Foundation) * Why I’m Focusing on Getting More Women In Public Office [https://time.com/6289240/melinda-french-gates-women-running-for-office/] (Melinda French Gates, Time) * Running For Office [https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections/running-office] (NH Secretary of State) Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] NEW: Subscribe to NH Has Issues Substack [https://nhhasissues.substack.com/] NEW: Get your NH Has Issues merch! [https://www.teepublic.com/user/nhhasissues]  New Hampshire Has Issues is generously sponsored by Seacoast Soils [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html], an organic compost and topsoil provider for New Hampshire, Maine, and Northeast Massachusetts. Visit their website at www.seacoastsoil.com [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html]! Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm [https://transistor.fm/?via=music]. Learn how to start a podcast [https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=music] here.

Property Taxes (ever heard of them?) with Phil Sletten

A fan favorite, Phil Sletten (Research Director at New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute), is back! Liz and Phil talk about what even are property taxes? Who actually pays them? Why is New Hampshire so dang reliant on them? And is there ANYONE who can do ANYTHING about them? Spoiler alert: yep.  But first! A flashback to the Interest and Dividends Tax discussion [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/putting-the-fun-yes-fun-in-state-budget-funding-with/id1811184811?i=1000718406568] from last summer's episode. Because context. Become a monthly supporter of the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] (especially if you have $13 million sitting around) Links: * Property Taxes in New Hampshire: How They Work and How They Compare [https://nhfpi.org/resource/property-taxes-in-new-hampshire-how-they-work-and-how-they-compare/](NHFPI report) * Could NH eliminate the property tax? Some lawmakers want businesses to foot the state’s bills. [https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/04/10/new-hampshire-business-tax-plan/] (Concord Monitor) * New Hampshire lost a fortune with a tax repeal, but I bet the wealthy spent it on lots of cool stuff [https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/12/09/new-hampshire-lost-a-fortune-with-a-tax-repeal-but-i-bet-the-wealthy-spent-it-on-lots-of-cool-stuff/] (NH Bulletin) * The Impact of State Downshifting on Local Property Tax Burdens in New Hampshire (2015–2025) [https://www.nhmunicipal.org/town-city-magazine/impact-state-downshifting-local-property-tax-burdens-new-hampshire-2015-2025] (New Hampshire Municipal Association) * October Revenues Set Back by Interest and Dividends Tax Repeal [https://nhfpi.org/blog/october-revenues-set-back-by-interest-and-dividends-tax-repeal/] (NHFPI) * NH DHHS slashes programs to meet $51M budget reduction mandate [https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2025-12-17/nh-dhhs-slashes-programs-to-meet-51m-budget-reduction-mandate] (NHPR) * Concord School District grapples with $17 million budget shortfall [https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/02/18/concord-school-district-grapples-with-17-million-budget-shortfall/] (Concord Monitor) * Results: Claremont voters reject school budget cap [https://vnews.com/2026/03/11/claremont-voters-defeat-budget-cap/] (Valley News) * Hold on to your wallets, new property tax rates are in [https://www.keenesentinel.com/news/local/homeowners-to-see-increases-in-property-tax-bills/article_459ef7a1-f481-4cf7-8244-eb3b46c50fee.html] (Keene Sentinel) * Some Rochester residents see dramatic rise in property tax bills [https://www.wmur.com/article/some-rochester-residents-see-dramatic-rise-in-property-tax-bills/63364223] (WMUR) * Households with High Incomes Disproportionately Benefit from Interest and Dividends Tax Repeal [https://nhfpi.org/blog/households-with-high-incomes-disproportionately-benefit-from-interest-and-dividends-tax-repeal/] (NHFPI) Have an idea for an episode? Email Liz [newhampshirehasissues@gmail.com] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/NHHasIssues] NEW: Subscribe to NH Has Issues Substack [https://nhhasissues.substack.com/] NEW: Get your NH Has Issues merch! [https://www.teepublic.com/user/nhhasissues]  New Hampshire Has Issues is generously sponsored by Seacoast Soils [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html], an organic compost and topsoil provider for New Hampshire, Maine, and Northeast Massachusetts. Visit their website at www.seacoastsoil.com [https://www.seacoastsoil.com/index.html]! Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm [https://transistor.fm/?via=music]. Learn how to start a podcast [https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=music] here.