New Hampshire
- PFAS concerns in agricultural sludge: A bill in the New Hampshire House proposes a five-year moratorium on using PFAS-laden sewage sludge on farms and a fund to compensate affected farmers for losses. (Source: NHPR, https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-02-19/sludge-pfas-agriculture-farming-legislature-nh-fund-moratorium)
- Home education requirements overhaul: Proposed legislation would eliminate nearly all notification and record-keeping requirements for home education programs unless families seek public school resources. (Source: NHPR, https://www.nhpr.org/nhpr-news-partner/2026-02-18/nh-home-education-requirements-bill-legislation-changes)
- Education funding declared adequate: A Republican-backed bill asserts that New Hampshire’s current public education funding levels are already sufficient, pushing back against calls for increases. (Source: New Hampshire Bulletin, https://newhampshirebulletin.com/new-hampshire-education-funding-is-already-adequate-republican-bill-asserts)
- Brain drain linked to housing and energy costs: A panel identifies skyrocketing housing prices and high energy costs as key drivers behind New Hampshire’s loss of younger residents, contributing to an aging population. (Source: NH Journal, https://nhjournal.com/panel-blames-housing-prices-energy-costs-for-nhs-brain-drain/)
Maine
- Portland revokes nonprofit tax exemptions: The city has revoked or denied tax-exempt status for nearly 20 nonprofits in the past year, raising closure risks for organizations like Maine Public and the Maine Irish Heritage Center. (Source: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/19/portland-revoked-or-denied-tax-exempt-status-for-nearly-50-nonprofits-in-past-year/)
- Houlton removes surveillance cameras: After resident pressure, the northern Maine town dismantled dozens of security cameras, though critics remain concerned about previously collected data. (Source: The Maine Wire, https://www.themainewire.com/2026/02/northern-maine-town-dismantles-surveillance-cameras-but-critics-are-still-suspicious/)
- Aroostook housing shortage amid industry growth: As new industries expand in The County, uncertainty grows over whether enough housing will be available for incoming workers. (Source: Bangor Daily News, https://bangordailynews.com/2026/02/19/aroostook/aroostook-housing/new-industry-aroostook-housing-shortage-joam40zk0w/)
- Push for medical cannabis testing: Lawmakers are considering a bill to finally require mold and chemical testing for medical cannabis products sold in Maine. (Source: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/18/maine-could-finally-require-mold-chemical-testing-for-medical-cannabis/)
Vermont
- Housing crisis bill balances renter and landlord needs: A new legislative proposal would cap security deposits and rent increases while speeding up evictions to address Vermont’s severe housing shortage. (Source: VTDigger, https://vtdigger.org/2026/02/18/can-vermont-lawmakers-ease-the-housing-crisis-by-helping-renters-and-also-landlords/)
- County fairs threatened by new water rules: Thriving Vermont county fairs are raising alarms over updated wastewater regulations that could jeopardize their operations. (Source: VTDigger, https://vtdigger.org/2026/02/18/vermonts-county-fairs-are-thriving-now-they-worry-updated-water-rules-could-threaten-that/)
- Voluntary school consolidation plan: A senator’s bill offers districts a two-year window for voluntary mergers, contrasting with other forced consolidation proposals. (Source: VTDigger, https://vtdigger.org/2026/02/18/senators-school-consolidation-proposal-would-allow-2-year-period-for-voluntary-mergers/)
- Brattleboro Town Meeting ballot confusion: This year’s Town Meeting Day ballot in Brattleboro includes multiple proposals aimed at local solutions but has left some voters puzzled by overlapping items. (Source: Vermont Public, https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2026-02-18/brattleboro-town-meeting-day-ballot-solutions-confusion)
