Housing at the State House: What Changed This Year?

Housing at the State House: What Changed This Year?

For years, New Hampshire's housing shortage has been one of the state's most pressing challenges. Home prices and rents have risen sharply, vacancy rates remain among the lowest in the nation, and Granite Staters in communities statewide continue to struggle with a shortage of housing options. In this episode of New Hampshire Uncharted, NHFPI Executive Director Gene Martin speaks with Nick Taylor, Director of Housing Action New Hampshire, about the major housing legislation considered during the 2026 legislative session, what lawmakers were trying to accomplish, and what these policy changes could mean for housing availability and affordability moving forward.

Why Property Taxes Matter So Much in New Hampshire

Public services in New Hampshire from schools to road maintenance depend heavily on one major revenue source: property taxes. But the way those taxes are structured creates big differences in what people pay and raises important questions about fairness, affordability, and how communities fund essential services.  In this episode of New Hampshire Uncharted, NHFPI Executive Director Gene Martin speaks with NHFPI Research Director Phil Sletten to unpack his recent property tax report [https://nhfpi.org/resource/property-taxes-in-new-hampshire-how-they-work-and-how-they-compare/] and break down how property taxes work, why New Hampshire relies on them so heavily, and what that means for Granite Staters.

Who Pays for Public Education in New Hampshire?

Public education is one of the largest investments New Hampshire makes, and one of the most debated. The state relies more heavily on local property taxes to fund schools than most other states, creating major differences in tax rates and school funding across communities. For decades, that has raised a complex question: how can New Hampshire fund public education more fairly?  In Episode 3 of Season Two of New Hampshire Uncharted, host Gene Martin is joined by New Hampshire State Representative Walter Spilsbury, Vice Chair of the House Education Funding Committee, to discuss House Bill 1800, a proposal that could significantly change how education funding works in the Granite State.  The conversation explores how New Hampshire’s current school funding system works, why it creates such stark differences between communities, and what HB 1800 was designed to do. It also looks at the practical and political challenges of changing a system that has been debated for generations.

Should Health Insurance Cover GLP-1 Medications?

Health care costs are a growing part of what makes everyday life in New Hampshire harder to afford. For many Granite Staters, managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or obesity isn’t just about doctor visits. It’s about access to medications that can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month.  In Episode 2 of Season Two of New Hampshire Uncharted, host Gene Martin is joined by Senator Sue Prentiss to explore her proposal that would require certain health insurance plans to cover GLP-1 medications for people who meet specific medical criteria.  Supporters say the bill could improve health outcomes and prevent more costly complications down the road. Critics raise concerns about insurance premiums and overall system costs. In this episode, we unpack what the legislation would actually do, and what’s at stake for Granite Staters.

Who’s Looking Out for Energy Consumers in New Hampshire?

Energy costs affect nearly every household in New Hampshire from monthly utility bills to housing affordability and long-term economic security. As lawmakers debate proposals aimed at controlling rising energy costs, understanding who represents consumers and how energy policy decisions are made has never been more important.  In the first episode of Season Two of New Hampshire Uncharted, host Gene Martin is joined by Donald M. Kreis, New Hampshire’s Consumer Advocate, to break down the role of the Consumer Advocate, what’s driving rising electricity costs, and what policy changes could help improve affordability and fairness.