You can schedule up to three (3) meals with your partner legislator at local restaurants near the New Hampshire State House.
The meals will be paid for by the program. We are partnering with Cheers, Dos Amigos Burritos, Hermanos, Tandy's, and Twelve 31 Cafe.
We are unable to cover the costs of alcohol at meals.
We ask that you schedule only one meal per day.
To ensure compliance with House Ethics rules, we are unable to cover the costs of meals that exceed $50 per person.
We are researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Columbia University, studying ways to encourage bipartisanship in our politics and to foster positive cross-partisan relationships and understanding. We are partnering with the New Hampshire Granite Bridge Legislative Alliance (GBLA) House Caucus to implement this program.
We will pair participating legislators with a colleague from across the aisle and will provide up to three (3) meals for each pair of legislators. We will also provide a list of local restaurants where you can schedule meals. No one will observe your meals. After the Session, we may reach out to see if you would be willing to talk to us about your experience. This interview would be completely optional.
All members of the New Hampshire State House are eligible to participate in the program.
We have cleared this program with House Ethics, and gift declarations are not required.