Stephen Urges Action to Protect Job Corps Students
June 15, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor’s May 29, 2025, announcement to close Manchester’s Job Corps Center by June 30 demands urgent action. This vital program supports over 200 young Granite Staters, yet 40 students face homelessness by June 6. On May 30, I wrote to Commissioners George Copadis (Employment Security), Ken Merrifield (Labor), and Taylor Caswell
OP-ED: PDIP Reforms Support New Hampshire’s Communities
June 15, 2025
Originally published by NHJournal.com. In a small New Hampshire town, a family dreams of opening a bakery, but their local bank can’t offer the loan they need. Across the street, a young couple hopes to buy their first home, only to face the same hurdle. These aren’t just personal stories; they point to a larger
May 2025: Advancing Safety, Accountability, and Community Support
June 15, 2025
We tackled road safety, tightened state contract oversight, and uplifted communities in May 2025 by rejecting flawed deals, supporting grieving families, and empowering youth, building a sturdier future for the state. The Governor’s Highway Safety Task Force convened frequently, and our subcommittee drafted over 100 recommendations to save lives on roads. We are proposing tougher patrols for
April Community Efforts: Safety, Housing, and Recovery in District 4
May 3, 2025
April was a month of meaningful engagement across District 4, as I worked to address pressing issues like highway safety, affordable housing, veterans’ services, substance abuse recovery, and community infrastructure. Below, I’ve outlined these initiatives, reflecting my commitment to improving the lives of Granite Staters while ensuring transparency and fiscal responsibility. Championing Highway Safety Through
Saving Lives on New Hampshire’s Roads: Our Task Force Mission
April 17, 2025
New Hampshire’s roads should be safe for every driver, passenger, and pedestrian. Yet, in 2024, we lost 135 lives to motor vehicle crashes—heartbreaking tragedies often tied to impaired driving, reckless speeding, and distraction. As a member of Governor Kelly Ayotte’s Special Task Force on Highway Safety, I’m committed to turning the tide. Our April 4,
Councilors Stephen and Wheeler Advocating for Smarter, Cost-Effective Child Welfare Solutions
April 10, 2025
This month I voted against a $18.5 million, six-year contract with Deloitte Consulting LLP to replace New Hampshire’s Bridges child welfare information system with the New Hampshire Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System. While I strongly support modernizing our systems to better protect vulnerable children across the Granite State, I could not in good conscience back
Safer Highways, Encouraging Local Investment, and Tackling Delays in Public Projects
March 30, 2025
I’ve been hard at work this March tackling issues that matter to our communities, from strengthening our local economy to enhancing safety and supporting our most vulnerable. Here’s a full rundown of what I’ve been up to this month—because you deserve to know how I’m fighting for you. Championing NH Banks in the Public Deposit
Councilor John Stephen Backs Streamlined Public Construction for New Hampshire
March 29, 2025
I’m always looking for ways to make state government work better for the people of New Hampshire. That’s why I’m proud to support Commissioner Charles Arlinghaus and the Department of Administrative Services in their efforts to tackle inefficiencies in our public construction process. Recently, I joined Councilors Joseph Kenney, David Wheeler, and Janet Stevens in
Councilor John Stephen Champions Community Input Across New Hampshire
March 29, 2025
As Executive Councilor, my job is to serve as a voice for all Granite Staters, ensuring that state decisions reflect the needs and concerns of our communities. Recently, I’ve been digging into an issue that hits close to home for the people of the North Country —a proposed New Hampshire Air National Guard project near
Councilor John Stephen Drives Creation of Highway Safety Task Force
March 29, 2025
I’ve made it a priority to tackle issues that directly impact the safety and well-being of Granite Staters. One pressing concern that’s been on my radar is the alarming rise in highway fatalities, especially among our young people. Last month, I took action by hosting a roundtable with state officials and advocates to address this
