Manchester representative joins bipartisan advisory group
Manchester — New Hampshire State Representative Jessica Grill, a Democrat representing Manchester’s Ward 12, has been named to the inaugural Legislative Advisory team for the New Hampshire Forum, a citizen-driven policy initiative that aims to bridge partisan divides and guide proposals developed by residents.
The advisory team is composed of five Democrats and five Republicans drawn from the state Legislature. Members will provide guidance on policy proposals crafted by the forum’s citizen participants and take part in public events designed to elevate cross-partisan problem-solving.
What the role entails
Forum organizers characterize the Legislative Advisory team as a volunteer body focused on constructive dialogue and practical governance. The appointed lawmakers are expected to review citizen recommendations and help shepherd ideas that can find traction in the full Legislature.
“The best public policy starts by listening to the people we serve. The New Hampshire Forum creates a meaningful opportunity for citizens from different backgrounds to come together, learn from one another, and develop thoughtful recommendations,” said Senator Tara Reardon (D-Concord).
Senator Tim Lang (R-Sanbornton) also commented on the group’s purpose, highlighting the importance of sustained civic engagement in the state’s part-time citizen legislature.
“New Hampshire’s citizen legislature works because people stay engaged. The New Hampshire Forum gives residents another opportunity to roll up their sleeves, work through difficult issues, and bring forward ideas that lawmakers from both parties can seriously consider. I’m proud to be part of that effort,” Lang said.
Who is on the advisory team
In addition to Grill, the Legislative Advisory team includes eight other members of the New Hampshire House and two state senators. The roster blends representatives from across the state and both major parties.
| Legislator | District / Town | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Jessica Grill | Manchester, Ward 12 | Democrat |
| Tara Reardon | Concord | Democrat (Senator) |
| Tim Lang | Sanbornton | Republican (Senator) |
| Mike Bordes | Belknap County District 5 (Laconia) | Republican |
| Dan Veilleux | Hillsborough District 34 (Amherst) | Democrat |
| Kim Rice | Hillsborough District 38 (Hudson) | Republican |
| Alicia Gregg | Hillsborough District 7 (Nashua) | Democrat |
| Bill Boyd | Hillsborough District 12 (Merrimack) | Republican |
| Dave Lundgren | Rockingham District 16 (Londonderry) | Republican |
| Loren Selig | Strafford District 10 (Durham) | Democrat |
Local implications for Manchester
For Manchester residents, Grill’s appointment offers a direct line between locally developed concerns and statewide policy conversations. As a member of a citizen-focused advisory body, Grill can help elevate Manchester-originated ideas and ensure they are considered by colleagues across the aisle.
Participants in the forum are backed by local philanthropists and small-dollar donors, and the organization says it seeks proposals that can garner support from at least 70 percent of New Hampshire residents. That threshold underscores the forum’s stated goal of pursuing broadly supported solutions rather than narrowly partisan measures.
- Representation: Manchester has a seat at a new statewide advisory table through Grill.
- Citizen engagement: The forum aims to translate citizen proposals into legislative pathways.
- Bipartisan review: The team’s even split between parties is designed to foster cross-party collaboration.
The New Hampshire Forum describes its effort as statewide and cross-partisan. With Grill joining other legislators from both urban and rural districts, Manchester’s perspectives will be present as the group reviews citizen-generated policy ideas and plans public events to advance them.
Details about specific proposals the forum will pursue, or a timeline for when the advisory team will begin recommending legislation, were not provided in the announcement.
