Concord, NH– This morning, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus held a press conference to unveil and announce their 2026 policy platform, the ‘More Money in Your Pocket’ Agenda. 

For several months, Senate Democrats have had the privilege and the pleasure of touring the State of New Hampshire. This tour has encompassed childcare centers, workforce housing developments, soup kitchens, community shelters, and more. Senate Democrats have been busy with their ears to the streets, and boots on the ground. In these stops, we’ve heard from real granite staters about the issues they face in everyday life; astronomical housing costs, perpetually rising utility bills, inaccessible healthcare, unobtainable childcare, and nonexistent support. 

The Senate Democratic Caucus has taken these experiences seriously and has armed itself with real solutions in response. Senate Democrats made their case for leadership by detailing their seven platform bills. Each and every one of these bills presents common sense, cutting-edge answers to the pleas of every Granite Stater, with a simple, shared vision: Affordability, and making your life easier in material ways.

The Afford Your Home Act will provide $5M in additional funds to the Housing Champions Grant Program to support infrastructure upgrades requisite for housing development. The Act also provides $10M to the affordable housing fund, while cutting red tape for the creation of childcare centers.

Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) added, “By investing much needed resources into the housing champions program, and the affordable housing fund, we are putting our money where our mouth is. Our children and our families deserve ample opportunity to make a comfortable living and deserve a place to grow and receive respite.”

The Lower Your Property Taxes Act recommits the state to contributing 7.5% to municipal pensions, reducing the financial burden on our towns and cities. 

“By abandoning our state’s obligation to the retirement system, Concord republicans have abandoned you and have left you with a local cost so burdensome that seniors are being priced out of their homes, your children have lost hope at owning one themselves, and you’ve had to make tougher choices with your personal budget,” Senator Pat Long (D-Manchester) added.  “The bill I am here to introduce today, the Lower Our Property Taxes Act, serves to turn the clock back and undo this reckless expense that’s been forced upon you.”

The Lower Your Cost of Healthcare Act moves to cut the Medicaid Tax, removing premiums from CHIP and the Granite Advantage Health Plan, while further capping copays at $5 per service. 

Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) added: “Republicans have asked you to pay more, to benefit and enrich the corporations and executives on Wall Street. My platform bill, the Lower Cost of Healthcare Act, caps the Trump administration’s required copays the state can charge for Medicaid expansion at just $5, and removes the Medicaid income tax implemented in the current budget.”

The Lower Your Energy Costs Act moves to cap utility rate increases, provide for multiyear ratemaking, while encouraging grid investment and modernization to stabilize rates and enhance our energy capabilities.

“New Hampshire consistently tops lists of the highest energy rates in the country . . .This policy which I’m proud to share with you today stabilizes rates, and serves to incentivize grid upgrades and resiliency,” added Senator Suzanne Prentiss (D-Lebanon.) “The Lower Your Energy Prices Act will alleviate the strain on your wallets, and the strain on our grid. With these common sense incentives, and policies, we hope to invite further business investment, modern industry, and public consumption in a renewed, capable, and empowered Granite State. “

The Childcare You Can Depend on Act expands eligibility for the childcare scholarship program to 95% of the State’s Median Income. 

Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) added: “By expanding eligibility and funding to this program, we can expect that hundreds of more families will receive significant and meaningful assistance to educate and care for their children. In addition to families, this lends a hand to struggling child care centers, providing stable and dependable cash flow, ensuring they can continue operating and accept new, local students for years to come.”

Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth_ went on to say: “Enhanced and robust childcare is one of the greatest, most versatile investments we can make as a state . . . TheChild Care We Can Rely on Act does two simple things. It raises the eligibility standard for the childcare scholarship program by 10%, to a new level of 95% of the State Median Income, meaning almost half of all families in the Granite State will be eligible”

The Save Our Mom and Pop Shops Act provides a 25% business tax credit to small manufacturers, and small businesses to shelter them from tariff related expenses. “99% of all businesses are small businesses,” added Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua). “Engaging in trade, commerce, and making payroll have been made all the more difficult by massive, overwhelming tariffs. For these reasons, we’re proud to announce and introduce the Save our Mom and Pop Shops Act.”

Finally, the Standing Up for Students Act expands the State’s contribution per-pupil for public education spending, lowering a town’s property tax burden and finally bringing the legislature in compliance with numerous court orders. Senator Suzanne Prentiss (D-Lebanon) explained: “Public school funding has been under attack and has been a perennial issue for decades now. Court case after court case, the answer is clear; we need to pay up. Emphasis on we, the state, as opposed to you, the town and property taxpayer” 

Senator Suzanne Prentiss (D-Lebanon) continued: “The Standing up For Students Act brings the state in legal compliance with our numerous court orders and further ensures that we provide for our students and schools in a manner so we’ll never find ourselves in this horrible position again.”

Actions speak louder than words, and the Senate Democratic Caucus is eager to act to lower costs, and work in the interests of the regular working Granite Stater. We look forward to seeing and hearing from the press, and we welcome your questions.