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By JEREMY MARGOLIS

The Republican-controlled House Education Funding Committee on Tuesday endorsed a proposal to make New Hampshire’s school choice program fully universal starting in 2026.

Hooray for Janet Mills, the governor of Maine. In her response to President Trump’s rebuke on Feb. 21, 2025, she upheld the much honored tradition of Margaret Chase Smith, who spent 30 years in Congress as a representative and senator. Margaret Chase Smith is famous for standing up to Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, who with the help of his lawyer Roy Cohn and feckless fellow senators, conducted a cruel and destructive witch hunt against anyone in the U.S. suspected of having Communist leanings. Many lives and careers were destroyed and an atmosphere of hate and suspicion permeated the country. In a famous address to Congress in 1950, Smith warned senators not to embrace the Four Horsemen of Calumny — fear, ignorance, bigotry and smear. In a recent speech, Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker said “tyranny requires your fear, and your silence and your compliance. Democracy requires courage.” Show your courage now!

Last week, we joined with engineers across the country to celebrate Engineers Week, and I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the essential role engineers play in the lives and communities of every Granite Stater. The critical work of engineers makes virtually everything we do in our daily lives possible. Access to clean water, safe roads and bridges, environmentally responsible waste solutions and improved infrastructure are not only critical parts of our communities but they also keep our economy moving. The work that engineers do, in both the private and public sectors, helps keep New Hampshire the best state to live, work and play in, and we need more of them! The focus of Engineers Week 2025 was on designing the future. Not only was it a chance to spotlight the important work of engineers of all disciplines, it also offered us an opportunity to point young people toward a rewarding and empowering career in the field. We need more problem-solvers, thinkers and creators who want to design and build the future for generations to come. If you have a student in your life, discuss engineering as an impactful, rewarding career. Help us inspire and encourage the next generation of innovators, and we’ll design the future together.

As a member of the Northwood Budget Committee, I paid close attention to our School Board’s presentation on its proposed operating budget, especially to the money allocated to be paid into the retirement system. $744,688 was budgeted out of the $15,070,878 total. This represents 4.9% of the budget.

By DAVID BROOKS

The Henniker town budget would increase 3.5% under a proposal that will go before residents at town meeting.

By JONATHAN P. BAIRD

Jonathan P. Baird lives in Wilmot.

By ALEXIS SIMPSON and REBECCA PERKINS KWOKA

Alexis Simpson is New Hampshire House minority leader. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka is New Hampshire Senate minority leader.

By RUSSEL PERKINS

Russell Perkins lives in Concord.

By CHRISTINA FITZPATRICK

Christina FitzPatrick is the state director of AARP New Hampshire. She lives in Bow.

The rise of Donald Trump has forced his fellow oligarchs out into the open. Oligarchs are business leaders and groups who wield incredible economic and political power. Big business has sought to capture our governments for the last 50 years, starting with the Powell Memorandum of 1971 and capping it with Project 2025. The endgame is here.

Applications are now open for New Hampshire’s largest student journalism award, the Brodsky Prize, which was established seven years ago by the late Jeffrey Brodsky and his father, Howard, to encourage innovation by student journalists. The $5,000 prize is open to all high school students attending public, charter, or parochial schools in New Hampshire.

By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY

For Eric Pauer, a former board member of the Hollis Brookline Cooperative School District, school board elections are already deeply rooted in party politics. So, why not make it official?

With hits such as “Love Takes Time, ”Dance with Me,” and “Still the One,” the smooth melodic pop-rock music of Orleans has stood the test of time in the past 53 years since the group’s formation. Bringing its music to Concord, the band will perform at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Thursday, Feb. 27.

By JEREMY MARGOLIS

Editor’s note: This story is part of the Monitor’s Inside EFAs series, which examines New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account program.

By JOSEPH D. STEINFIELD

Joseph D. Steinfield is an attorney living in Keene and Jaffrey. He can be reached at joe@joesteinfield.com.

Prior to the 2024 election, I expressed my deep concern that many Americans were “sleepwalking ” into that election and could awaken to an unrecognizable America. Regrettably, that nightmare is upon us.

Calling all farmers and gardeners: Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire’s annual spring bulk order is a collective buying program for organic farming and gardening supplies. No minimum order. No shipping charges. You don’t have to be a member to order, though members pay less. Save on supplies and support the association at the same time!

By EDITH PERKINS

Edith Perkins is a public school educator of more than 25 years. She lives in Bow.

By ALEXANDER RAPP

Willem Avenant sipped on a coffee with bruised and calloused hands and a big smile, one of profound accomplishment.

Apparently our astute Gov. Ayotte is now concerned about President Trump’s tariffs hurting New Hampshire commerce. Good point governor, I’m glad you noticed. The question I can’t help asking is: Did you think about this before you voted for the madman now sitting in the White House? Oh, and did you also think about any of the following items before casting your support behind our favorite Facist? Did you notice he is a felon or that he fully supports Project 2025 and is filling, or trying to fill, his cabinet slots with a bunch of Project 2025 supporters? Did you notice that he is trying to eliminate transgender human beings from existing in the U.S.? Women’s reproductive rights are also on his list of elimination. And then, there is the whole Elon Musk thing, but that deserves a separate letter. This is all just the tip of the iceberg, Gov. Ayotte, and it’s all on you and every other Trump supporter. Next time, think before you vote!